The satellite photo shows the CNS Shandong and the Fujian operating near each other.
The Fujian, China’s newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, was on its first live-force training mission.
The Yulin Naval Base in Hainan province is a strategic hub for the Chinese navy, housing nuclear submarines and aircraft carrier docks.
China's claims in the South China Sea are contested by several other governments, leading to ongoing territorial disputes.
China is already working on its fourth aircraft carrier, the Type 004, which is expected to be nuclear-powered.
Why this matters: China's expanding naval power is central to its ambition to rival U.S. dominance in the Pacific and assert its regional influence. This military buildup directly impacts the balance of power in the South China Sea and increases tensions with neighboring countries.
The satellite image captured by the European Space Agency shows the CNS Shandong, which entered service in 2019, operating within China’s territorial waters near the Yulin Naval Base. The Fujian, accompanied by the guided missile destroyer CNS Yan’an and the guided missile frigate CNS Tongliao, was spotted further southwest, beyond China’s territorial boundary in waters claimed by both China and Vietnam.
The Fujian’s maiden voyage involved multiple types of aircraft, including J-15T heavy fighter jets, J-15DT electronic warfare variants, J-35 stealth fighters, and KJ-600 early warning aircraft, utilizing the carrier’s electromagnetic catapult launch system. This marks a significant advancement from the ski-ramp launch systems used on the Shandong and Liaoning carriers. These exercises included joint ship and aircraft search-and-rescue drills and formation navigation training.
China's Foreign Ministry stated that the maritime training is a normal arrangement to test the training effectiveness of the Fujian carrier strike group and enhance its capability to safeguard China’s national sovereignty, security, and development interests. The U.S. Congressional Research Service noted that China's carrier program aims to demonstrate its status as a leading regional and major world power.
Currently, China is developing its fourth aircraft carrier, Type 004, which is projected to be nuclear-powered, indicating a further commitment to expanding its naval capabilities.
Q: What is the significance of the Yulin Naval Base?
It is a strategic center for the Chinese navy, housing nuclear submarines and specialized docks for aircraft carriers.
Q: What type of aircraft is the Fujian equipped to handle?
The Fujian can launch J-15T heavy fighter jets, J-15DT electronic warfare variants, J-35 stealth fighters, and KJ-600 early warning aircraft using its electromagnetic catapults.
Q: What are the implications of China's growing naval power?
It increases China's regional influence, impacts the balance of power in the South China Sea, and raises tensions with neighboring countries.
China's naval capabilities are rapidly expanding, with new aircraft carriers entering service and advanced training exercises being conducted.
The South China Sea remains a region of contested territorial claims, with China asserting its interests through military presence and activity.
China's development of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers signals a long-term commitment to projecting its power on the global stage.
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