China has officially commissioned its most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, marking a major leap forward in its naval ambitions and escalating competition with the United States.
The domestically built vessel, China’s third aircraft carrier, was launched in southern Hainan province during a ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping. State media hailed it as a «major milestone» in the country’s military modernisation drive.
Equipped with electromagnetic catapult technology, similar to that used on US carriers, the Fujian can launch heavier, more heavily armed aircraft at higher speeds, extending China’s strike capabilities. It is significantly more powerful than its predecessors, the Liaoning and Shandong, which were based on older Russian designs.
With the world’s largest navy by number of ships, China’s rapid naval expansion under Xi Jinping has heightened tensions with Washington and its regional allies.
According to reports, Xi personally approved the adoption of the new launch technology and told sailors aboard the Fujian to «follow the party’s command, fight to win, and uphold fine conduct.»
Kursiv Uzbekistan reports than US President Donald Trump on Thursday emphasised critical minerals as a key priority during a White House summit with leaders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
