China launches Fujian, the World’s largest non-nuclear aircraft carrier

China has officially commissioned its most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, in a ceremony that marks a major leap forward for the nation’s naval power and technological innovation.

The event, held on November 5 at the naval port in Sanya, Hainan, saw President Xi Jinping preside over the commissioning and symbolically press the launch button inside the carrier’s flight-deck control room. The moment highlighted one of the ship’s most remarkable features — its electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS) — the same next-generation technology used only by the U.S. Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford.

The Fujian, designated hull number 18, represents a new era for the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). It is China’s first catapult-equipped carrier and the world’s largest conventionally powered aircraft carrier, capable of launching heavier and more diverse aircraft than its predecessors, the Liaoning and Shandong, which use ski-jump ramps.

On its expansive flight deck, visitors saw key components of its air wing, including J-35 and J-15 fighter jets, the KJ-600 early warning aircraft, and the Z-20F helicopter. Launched in 2022, the Fujian has since completed multiple sea trials, including successful tests of its ability to launch and recover aircraft.

Unlike traditional steam catapults, the Fujian’s EMALS offers greater precision, faster launch cycles, and less wear on aircraft, allowing for smoother operations and paving the way for future drone deployment. The Ministry of National Defense credited President Xi with directing the move to skip steam catapult technology entirely — a bold decision reflecting China’s growing confidence in homegrown innovation.

With the Fujian now in service, China joins the United States as the only country to operate an electromagnetic catapult-equipped carrier, underscoring its rapid progress toward modernizing its fleet and extending its blue-water capabilities. Analysts say the new flagship positions China at the forefront of global naval technology and symbolizes its rising influence at sea.