Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Barrack: We call upon Druze, Bedouins, and Sunnis to put down their weapons and together with other minorities build a new and united Syrian identity building peace and prosperity with their neighbors
US Special Envoy to Syria Tom Barrack: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa supported by the US have agreed to a ceasefire embraced by Türkiye, Jordan, and their neighbors
YAF spokesperson Brigadier General Yahya Saree: We carried out a top-tier operation targeting Ben Gurion Airport in Lydd with a Palestine 2 hypersonic ballistic missile
Israeli media: Israelis in the Gush Dan area and al-Quds were asked to enter shelters immediately
Sirens sound in Tel Aviv and occupied al-Quds after a missile was launched from Yemen
Sheikh Qassem: We are ready to defend ourselves if 'Israel' attacks us in a way that we believe calls for us to defend ourselves
Sheikh Qassem: "Israel" will never be handed over our weapons
Sheikh Qassem: He who refuses so and accepts humiliation, that is their own business, but for us, we will not accept humiliation. We have made great sacrifices, and our strength has helped us achieve this result
Sheikh Qassem: Be patient with the issue of exclusivity of arms with the state in the face of the great danger that will not spare Lebanon; let us speak with one voice and work for the sake of priority
Sheikh Qassem: Lebanon faces three real dangers: 'Israel', ISIS tools on the eastern border, and US tyranny

China's largest, most advanced aircraft carrier hits sea in final test

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 1 May 2024 10:56
  • 1 Shares
4 Min Read

China's state media says Fujian's sea trials will primarily test the reliability and stability of the aircraft carrier's propulsion and electrical systems.

  • x
  • asd
    China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, docks in East China's Shanghai on April 30, 2024. (Xinhua)

China's most advanced aircraft carrier commenced its maiden sea trials on Wednesday in a landmark event as the country continues to boost its naval capabilities amid growing US-led militarization in the South China Sea.

The Fujian, China's third and largest aircraft carrier, launched in June 2022, is equipped with cutting-edge electromagnetic launch tracks that can catapult a wider range of aircraft. 

"The sea trials will primarily test the reliability and stability of the aircraft carrier's propulsion and electrical systems," state media Xinhua reported. Since its launch, Fujian "has completed its mooring trials, outfitting work and equipment adjustments," and "met the technical requirements" for conducting the trials.

Read more: 'Negative factors' growing in US-China relations despite stability

'World-class'

China has described the Fujian as "one of the most important" components of its military arsenal, which aligns with President Xi Jinping's objective of establishing a "world-class" military force by the mid-21st century.

Upon entering service, it will become the only other aircraft carrier globally, aside from the US Navy's Ford-class nuclear-powered carriers, to possess such advanced technology. Additionally, the Pentagon stated in its annual report on Chinese military capabilities last year that the Fujian will have the capacity to deploy approximately 70 aircraft, including J-15 fighters and Z-9C anti-submarine helicopters.

Read more: US deploys first-ever warship in foreign city part of anti-China AUKUS

Related News

State Dept official admits criticism of 'Israel' can lead to visa loss

Three deputies killed in explosion at LA sheriff's facility

The massive vessel will have a displacement of more than 80,000 metric tons once it is completed,  making it "the largest and mightiest warship any Asian nation has ever built, as well as the world's biggest non-American aircraft carrier," Xinhua added.

In Taiwan, some experts have labeled the Fujian as "a major maritime threat."

Taiwan's Defense Ministry stated in its annual report last year that the carrier would enhance China's capacity to encircle the island, potentially obstructing or delaying the ability of the US military and its allies to provide assistance to Taipei in case of a Chinese offensive.

Read more: China to regularly patrol near Taiwan islands after deadly incident

Fourth carrier 'soon'

Chinese aircraft carriers still encounter numerous obstacles, as some point out a notable disparity between the level of the crews' training and the demands of combat operations.

"In a combat situation involving opposing U.S. naval and air forces, Chinese aircraft carriers would be highly vulnerable," the US Congressional Research Service said in a January report.

Rather, the Fujian and China's two other carriers "could be particularly valuable to China for projecting an image of China as a major world power," since they "are viewed by many as symbols of major world power status," the report said.

Read more: China 'expels' 2 Philippine ships near Scarborough Shoal: State media

According to the Pentagon, the Liaoning, China's second-largest carrier, is expected to be officially commissioned later this year, following the completion of 10 sea trials before being deployed for active duty. Similarly, the Shandong underwent nine sea trials before it was formally commissioned.

In March, Yuan Huazhi, the political commissar of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy, stated that China will reveal its fourth aircraft carrier in the near future, while speculations suggest it might be nuclear-powered.

  • United States
  • PLA
  • South China Sea
  • China
  • Fuijan

Most Read

Algerian nurse stabbed in Germany

Murder of Algerian nurse in Germany sparks outcry, demands for justice

  • Europe
  • 14 Jul 2025
Credible reports, including some from Israeli media itself, indicate that Tel Aviv had pinned its hopes on what can only be described as a delusional plan. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Jebraily: Iran strikes rewrote regional deterrence rules - Exclusive

  • MENA
  • 15 Jul 2025
Al-Qassam Brigades fighters confront Israeli soldiers in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

3 Israeli soldiers killed amid Gaza battles: Israeli media

  • Palestine
  • 14 Jul 2025
Al Mayadeen: UN Palestine Inquiry members reportedly resigned

Exclusive: UN Palestine Inquiry members reportedly resigned

  • Politics
  • 15 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The US Capitol, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

Congress set to weaken oversight on foreign US arms sales

Only quarter of Americans say Trump policies helped them: Poll
US & Canada

Only quarter of Americans say Trump policies helped them: Poll

UK charities fund Israeli settlement expansion in occupied West Bank
Palestine

UK charities fund Israeli settlement expansion in occupied West Bank

Calls grow to remove Netanyahu from High School hall of fame
Politics

Calls grow to remove Netanyahu from high school Hall of Fame

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS