China’s naval capabilities reached a significant milestone as its most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, successfully conducted launch tests using its electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), according to state broadcaster CCTV. Footage released on Monday showcased the carrier launching three aircraft types—a J-35 stealth fighter, a J-15T 4.5-generation fighter, and a KJ-600 early warning and control aircraft—marking a major step forward in China’s naval modernization. This development places the Fujian among an elite group of carriers, as only the U.S. Navy’s USS Gerald R. Ford currently employs the cutting-edge EMALS technology.
A Leap in Naval Technology
Described by Chinese state media as a “breakthrough” and a “milestone,” the successful tests of the EMALS system on the Fujian underscore China’s ambition to transform its People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) into a global force. Unlike China’s older carriers, the Shandong and Liaoning, which rely on ski-jump ramps for aircraft takeoffs, the Fujian’s EMALS allows planes to carry heavier weapon and fuel loads, enabling longer-range and more potent strikes. This capability enhances the carrier’s “blue-water” potential, allowing it to project power far beyond China’s coastal waters.
The EMALS system, also used by the USS Gerald R. Ford (certified for flight operations in 2022), offers significant advantages over the steam-powered catapults found on the U.S. Navy’s older Nimitz-class carriers. However, unlike U.S. carriers, which are nuclear-powered and can remain at sea for extended periods, the conventionally powered Fujian requires refueling through port calls or tanker support, limiting its operational endurance.
Analyst Carl Schuster, a former U.S. Navy captain, noted that the successful catapult launches and arrested landings bring the Fujian close to commissioning into the PLAN fleet, potentially within weeks. Further certifications, including integration with the PLA Air Force and Rocket Force, are expected in the coming months, with final trials likely scheduled for spring 2026.
Strategic Implications
The Fujian’s advanced capabilities come at a time of heightened regional tensions, with China adopting a more assertive posture in the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea, and South China Sea. These actions have drawn criticism from the United States and allies like Japan and the Philippines. The carrier’s ability to launch larger warplanes with greater munitions loads enhances China’s ability to project power, potentially altering the strategic balance in the Indo-Pacific.
While the Fujian matches the USS Gerald R. Ford in launch technology, its conventional propulsion system places it at a disadvantage compared to the U.S. Navy’s nuclear-powered fleet. Nonetheless, the carrier represents a significant step in China’s pursuit of a world-class navy capable of challenging Western dominance in maritime domains.
U.S.-China Military Dialogue
The Fujian’s milestone coincides with efforts to improve U.S.-China military communication. A bipartisan U.S. congressional delegation, led by Rep. Adam Smith, the top Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, arrived in Beijing on Sunday for talks—the first such visit in six years. The delegation met with Chinese officials, including Premier Li Qiang, Defense Minister Dong Jun, and Vice Premier He Lifeng, to discuss bilateral issues, with a focus on military-to-military dialogue.
Smith emphasized the importance of regular communication, noting that China’s rapidly growing military and nuclear capabilities, coupled with the U.S.’s extensive arsenal, make open channels critical to avoiding miscalculations. “We’ve seen this with our ships, our planes, their ships, their planes, coming entirely too close to one another,” Smith told reporters, highlighting incidents in contested waters. He also stressed the need for dialogue on emerging technologies like AI, drones, cyber, and space capabilities, which heighten the risk of misunderstandings.
In response, Dong Jun urged the U.S. to address “disruptive and restrictive factors” and take pragmatic steps to improve military relations, according to Chinese state media. The visit follows a call between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, with plans for a potential meeting at the APEC summit in South Korea in November 2025 and a reciprocal visit by Xi to the U.S. at an unspecified future date.
Looking Ahead
The Fujian’s successful EMALS tests signal China’s growing naval prowess and its intent to compete with global powers like the United States. As the PLAN prepares to integrate the carrier into its fleet, the Fujian’s advanced capabilities will likely reshape maritime dynamics in the Indo-Pacific. Meanwhile, ongoing U.S.-China diplomatic efforts, including high-level military talks, aim to manage tensions and reduce the risk of conflict in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape.
