China unveiled a new generation aircraft carrier with a rare aircraft catapult

China's People's Liberation Army Navy tests the Fujian in Shanghai. Photo: GlobalTimes

Chinese state media has released fresh images of China's new next-generation aircraft carrier – the most modern in the country's navy.

The ship, named Fujian, was entirely designed and built domestically and is the first Chinese aircraft carrier to be equipped with a rare electromagnetic ejection system, which can launch a wider range of aircraft onto the deck.

The sophisticated electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) is currently used only on the Fujian- and “Fujian” class aircraft carriers. Ford, a new class of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers is being developed for the US Navy.

The huge aircraft carrier is almost ready and could soon make its maiden voyage, Chinese state media report.

“We are […] making steady progress in mooring tests as planned,” said Captain Yin Hongxin during the Fujian's flight. soundboard during a prime time segment of China Central Television's (CCTV) news broadcast.

Fujian was developed and built entirely internally countries. Photo: Imago/Alamy

As the third aircraft carrier in the Chinese Navy, it is technologically more advanced than the Shandong, which entered service in 2019, and the Liaoning, which China bought second-hand from Ukraine in 1998 and refitted domestically.

It was first shown to the public in June 2022, and in state media broadcasts it was explicitly described as a military response to President Xi Jinping's “national rejuvenation” goals, which include the unification of China and Taiwan.

President Xi Jinping has repeatedly called for increased military readiness ahead of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in 2027.

Some senior U.S. military officers and Taiwanese officials have interpreted the date as a dangerous moment when China could be is poised to begin a military takeover of Taiwan, which the Chinese Communist Party controversially claims as its territory.

Ahead of the Jan. 13 presidential and parliamentary elections, Taiwan reported ongoing military intimidation from China. PLA fighters repeatedly entered the island's air defense zone.