China has officially commissioned its newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, marking a significant milestone in Beijing’s long term effort to rival U.S. naval dominance. While China’s carriers still trail the United States in overall capability, experts say the speed, scale, and ambition of China’s carrier program pose a growing strategic challenge for the U.S. Navy, particularly in the Pacific.

The Fujian Joins China’s Navy

China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, officially entered service this week, according to announcements by China’s military and state media. The ceremony took place at a naval base on Hainan Island and was presided over by Xi Jinping, who serves as chairman of China’s military.

State media footage showed Xi walking the deck of the carrier, inspecting aircraft, and praising naval aviators as heroes. Reports said Xi had “personally decided” that the Fujian should use an electromagnetic catapult system, a complex technology that allows aircraft to launch with heavier loads and land more efficiently.

The Fujian is China’s largest and most capable carrier so far. It was launched in 2022 and spent several years undergoing sea trials before becoming operational. Analysts say this long testing period reflects both the ambition of the ship and the technical difficulty of the systems it carries.

A Major Leap in Carrier Technology

The most important breakthrough on the Fujian is its electromagnetic catapult system. This technology allows aircraft to take off faster, carry more fuel and weapons, and experience less stress on their airframes. China’s earlier carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong, rely on ski jump style decks that limit how much weight aircraft can carry.

The electromagnetic system on the Fujian appears similar to the one used on the U.S. Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford, America’s newest aircraft carrier. However, the technology has also drawn criticism. Former President Donald Trump recently called the system unreliable, saying, “When we build aircraft carriers, it’s steam for the catapults, and it’s hydraulic for the elevators. We’ll never have a problem.”

Even so, Chinese military planners clearly believe the new system is essential for operating more advanced aircraft, including larger fighters and early warning planes.

China’s carrier program has advanced at a pace that has surprised many analysts. In just over a decade, China has gone from zero operational aircraft carriers to three. The Liaoning entered service in 2012 after being rebuilt from an unfinished Soviet hull. The Shandong followed in 2019 as the first carrier built in China, though it was still based on older Soviet designs.

The Fujian represents a major break from the past. It is the first Chinese carrier fully designed and built domestically and reflects China’s growing confidence in its naval engineering capabilities.

Satellite imagery suggests China is already constructing a fourth aircraft carrier, and experts believe additional carriers are planned. Some reports indicate China may eventually build nuclear powered carriers, which would greatly extend their operational range and endurance.

China’s vast shipbuilding industry plays a central role in this rapid expansion. With large shipyards, a massive industrial workforce, and strong government support, China can build and upgrade warships faster than most countries.

Why This Matters to the United States

The United States still holds a clear advantage in aircraft carriers. It operates 11 carriers, all of them nuclear powered, allowing them to remain at sea for long periods without refueling. China’s carriers are conventionally powered, meaning they must refuel more often and have more limited range.

However, defense analysts warn that the direction of China’s program is as important as its current size. As China adds carriers like the Fujian, it gains more ability to project power in the western Pacific and to challenge U.S. naval operations.

Several experts say these carriers could be used to intimidate regional rivals or support operations around Taiwan and in the South China Sea. While carriers would likely not play a leading role in an initial attack on Taiwan due to its proximity to China, they could be used in a blockade or in operations farther from China’s coast.

“These aircraft carriers are, of course, not aimed solely against Taiwan,” said Jiang Hsin biao, a researcher at Taiwan’s Institute for National Defense and Security Research. “But if they’re deployed in the Western Pacific, they could encircle Taiwan.”

Are Chinese Carriers Comparable to U.S. Carriers?

Despite the progress represented by the Fujian, experts agree that China’s carriers are still not equal to those of the United States. American carriers are larger, carry more aircraft, and benefit from decades of operational experience.

China’s carriers also face limitations in endurance due to conventional propulsion. Analysts note that the Fujian will need frequent refueling and may not be able to store as much fuel and ammunition for sustained operations.

Aita Moriki, a research fellow at Japan’s National Institute for Defense Studies, wrote that while the Fujian is an important step forward, “many technological and personnel challenges remain” before China becomes a fully mature carrier power.

Operating large carriers far from home waters, coordinating complex flight operations, and training skilled crews will take time, even with China’s rapid learning curve.

What Experts Say About the Future

Some analysts argue that aircraft carriers remain vital despite claims that drones and missiles could make them obsolete. Jiang said that while unmanned systems are advancing, they are unlikely to pose a decisive threat to carriers in the near future.

“Even the U.S. is building new carriers, demonstrating their lasting value,” he said. “The threats are relative and exist for both sides, whether it’s China or the U.S.”

China has signaled that it intends to learn quickly. In recent months, Chinese military media has shown footage of aircraft repeatedly practicing takeoffs and landings on the Fujian, suggesting an intense focus on developing carrier aviation skills.

The commissioning of the Fujian comes at a time when China’s military is also dealing with internal challenges, including public revelations of corruption among senior officers. Analysts say the high profile rollout of the carrier may also serve a political purpose by showcasing progress and strength.

Taken together, China’s growing carrier fleet represents one of the most serious challenges to U.S. naval dominance in decades. While the United States still maintains a significant edge, China’s speed, industrial capacity, and determination are steadily reshaping the naval balance in the Pacific.