China has launched its first domestically built aircraft carrier, the most advanced in its three-carrier fleet and another indication of Beijing’s interest in pursuing a naval presence beyond its own region.
Named the “Fujian” after the Chinese province, it was launched Friday during a ceremony in Shanghai, according to the official Xinhua news agency.
The Fujian uses an electromagnetic catapult-assisted launch system, similar to new U.S. Navy carriers. It is considered an improvement on the ski jump-style launch system found on China’s other aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong.
The People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is numerically the largest in the world with an overall battle force of about 355 ships and submarines, including approximately more than 145 major surface combatants, U.