BEIJING. CHINA Nov 9, 2025 – In a vivid display of China’s accelerating naval ambitions, President Xi Jinping personally inspected the newly commissioned Fujian aircraft carrier on Thursday, touring its state-of-the-art bridge and electromagnetic catapult system. The visit, captured in a widely shared video clip, underscores Beijing’s rapid strides in military technology amid rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.
The footage, released by state media and circulated on social platforms, shows Xi, dressed in a light green shirt, engaging with crew members aboard the 80,000-tonne vessel docked in Hainan Province. Smiling as he examined control panels and peered out at the carrier’s expansive flight deck—adorned with fluttering flags and flanked by J-15 fighter jets—Xi appeared to emphasize operational readiness. The clip, lasting just over two minutes, features the president conversing animatedly with officers in yellow safety vests, against a backdrop of the carrier’s angular bridge and the South China Sea horizon.
The Fujian, China’s third aircraft carrier and the first fully indigenously designed, entered service on November 5 during a commissioning ceremony attended by Xi. Unlike its predecessors, the Liaoning and Shandong, which rely on ski-jump ramps for aircraft launches, the Fujian is equipped with advanced electromagnetic aircraft launch systems (EMALS). This technology, akin to that on the U.S. Navy’s Gerald R. Ford-class carriers, allows for more efficient and versatile fighter jet deployments, potentially boosting sortie rates by up to 30%.
“Xi personally ordered the Fujian to incorporate electromagnetic catapults, a decision that reflects his vision for a ‘world-class’ navy capable of projecting power far beyond China’s coastal waters,” according to reports from the ceremony. The carrier’s integration into the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) marks a milestone in Xi’s decade-long military overhaul, which has seen defense spending double and the PLAN expand to rival the U.S. fleet in hull numbers.
Analysts view the Fujian’s debut as a strategic signal, particularly in light of ongoing disputes over Taiwan and the South China Sea. “This isn’t just about hardware; it’s about demonstrating resolve,” said a Beijing-based military expert, noting the carrier’s capacity to embark up to 50 aircraft, including stealth fighters and helicopters. With the U.S. maintaining 11 active carriers, China’s fleet now stands at three, positioning it second globally and ahead of regional rivals like India.
The inspection video quickly garnered international attention, amassing tens of thousands of views on platforms like X (formerly Twitter). Shared by BRICS-focused accounts, it sparked discussions on China’s technological leapfrogging—from “yeeting jets with magnets” to broader geopolitical implications. Critics in Western media labeled it “Temu Navy” slop, while supporters hailed it as proof of multipolar innovation.
As the Fujian prepares for sea trials, expected later this year, it joins a growing arsenal that includes hypersonic missiles and AI-integrated drones. For Xi, whose tenure has prioritized “national rejuvenation,” the carrier represents not only military might but a symbol of China’s ascent on the global stage.
