China launches advanced aircraft carrier the Fujian in naval race with the US

China’s most advanced aircraft carrier Fujian has been put into service days after a major commissioning ceremony overseen by Chinese leader Xi Jinping, state media said.

The country’s third warship, Fujian, is being equipped with electromagnetic catapults that will allow aircraft to be launched at higher speeds.

Its launch was a significant step forward for Beijing, which now has the world’s largest navy in terms of number of ships.

China has been expanding its navy at a breakneck pace under Xi and is putting pressure on the United States and its allies to keep pace.

According to state media, Fujian can launch three different types of aircraft with an electromagnetic catapult and a flat flight deck.

The domestically built ship can carry aircraft with heavier weapons and fuel loads, thus striking enemy targets from greater distances; this makes it more powerful than China’s first two aircraft carriers, Liaoning and Shandong, both built by the Russians.

State media praised Fujian as a “major milestone” in the development of China’s navy.

The United States is the only country in the world that has an aircraft carrier with the same electromagnetic catapult system as Fujian.

The Fujian’s commissioning ceremony was held in southern Hainan province on Wednesday, during which Xi toured the ship’s deck to learn more details about the ship’s performance at sea.

State media claimed that Xi personally made the decision to adopt electromagnetic catapult technology.

Reports also stated that Xi spoke to sailors lined up along the flight deck and pier, where they saluted and shouted in unison: “Obey the Party’s order, fight to win, and maintain good behavior!”