Navy Spokesperson Answers Reporters' Questions on the Commissioning of the Fujian Aircraft Carrier
On November 5, China's first electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian, was commissioned at a naval port in Sanya, Hainan. On the afternoon of the 8th, Navy Spokesperson Senior Captain Leng Guowei accepted an interview with reporters regarding questions about the Fujian's deployment location, its carrier-based aircraft configuration, and the development plans for the Chinese Navy's aircraft carriers.
When asked whether the Fujian would be deployed at the Sanya naval port, Leng stated that the Fujian is the Navy's largest vessel by tonnage currently in service. Considering factors such as combat readiness requirements, port conditions, support capabilities, and mission characteristics comprehensively, the vessel's home port is Sanya Naval Base. Officers and crew of naval vessels are guests on shore year-round, with the sea as their home. The vast expanse of the open ocean is the true home for an aircraft carrier. In the future, the Fujian will routinely appear on that vast stage.
Regarding when the Fujian's carrier-based aircraft would be fully integrated aboard the ship, Leng said that carrier-based aircraft are the core of an aircraft carrier's combat capability. While the Fujian was under construction, the development and testing of supporting equipment such as the J-35, J-15T, and J-15D carrier-based fighter jets, the KJ-600 carrier-based fixed-wing early warning aircraft, and the Z-20 series of carrier-based helicopters have also been steadily progressing according to plan. As for when full integration aboard the ship can be achieved, he looks forward to it just like everyone else and believes it will not be a long wait.
Regarding whether the Fujian will continue trials and test voyages after commissioning and when it will achieve operational capability, Leng stated that the Fujian is China's first electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier and iconic equipment symbolizing the leapfrog development in the Navy's transformation and construction. Many of its systems and technologies are being used practically for the first time. After commissioning, the vessel will continue in-depth related testing and verification to further examine the stability of the platform's systems. Simultaneously, it will proceed according to plan with ship-aircraft compatibility exercises and formation system training, continuously strengthening its operational capability.
When answering a question about the Chinese Navy's next steps in aircraft carrier development, Leng stated that China develops and improves its weapons and equipment not targeting any country or specific goal, nor will it pose a threat to any country or region. It is solely for safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. Regarding the follow-on development plan for Chinese aircraft carriers, it will be comprehensively considered based on national defense needs. It must be emphasized that China's socialist nature, its strategic choice to pursue peaceful development, and its independent foreign policy of peace determine that China's defensive national defense policy remains unchanged.
