According to the official Xinhua news agency, China’s third aircraft carrier, Fujian, was formally commissioned on Wednesday at a naval base on Hainan Island, in a ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping. Fujian is the first aircraft carrier designed and built entirely in China.

Experts say Fujian represents a step in expanding the scope of China’s naval operations.

Operational Scope in the Indo-Pacific

Greg Poling, director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, noted that Fujian could play a role in extending China’s naval presence beyond its immediate coastal waters. Poling said the Chinese Navy aims to operate in waters around the First Island Chain and in deeper regions of the Pacific, where U.S. bases, such as Guam, are located.

Expert Perspectives

Hong Kong-based military analyst Song Zhongping said that Fujian and other aircraft carriers could be used for training and support missions in distant oceans and seas. He noted that the vessels are intended to operate beyond nearshore areas.

Regional Reactions

The commissioning of Fujian has drawn attention in Japan. Former Defense Minister and Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara stated that Japan is monitoring China’s efforts to expand its naval capabilities. Japanese authorities emphasized that they are tracking China’s maritime and air operations and would respond if necessary.