China unveils secret third aircraft carrier Fujian

China has officially launched its third aircraft carrier, Fujian, secretly. The ceremony was attended by Chinese President Jinping. The unveiling took place on Wednesday at Sanya port in Hainan province, southern China. The news was reported by the official CCTV, only stating that Fujian was launched on Friday. China had previously launched Liaoning in 2012 and Shandong in 2019. Fujian surpasses both in size, weighing 80,000 tonnes. Chinese military commander Song Jongping described it as ‘China’s first carrier with a flat deck, equipped with modern technology including electromagnetic catapults, electromagnetic arresting gear, and electric propulsion system.’ The latest Fujian also features an Electromagnetic Aircraft Launch System (EMALS). The system has only been deployed on the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford. China’s three aircraft carriers currently only use conventional fuel, and experts believe Fujian will expand China’s influence in the Indian and Arabian Seas without relying on South China Sea resources.