The Kaipher Editorial Team 
China’s newest aircraft carrier, Fujian, sailed through the Taiwan Strait on September 12 as part of its sea trials, marking a provocative passage through one of the world’s most sensitive maritime corridors before its expected commissioning (Reuters). Senior Captain Leng Guowei of the People’s Liberation Army Navy described the transit as routine for “scientific research trials and training missions,” despite its strategic implications.
Advanced Capabilities Signal Naval Evolution
The Fujian represents a technological leap for China’s carrier fleet, featuring electromagnetic catapult systems instead of ski-jumps used on Liaoning and Shandong. With over 80,000 tons displacement, it rivals U.S. Nimitz-class carriers and is expected to deploy J-35A stealth fighters, J-15T heavy fighters, KJ-600 early-warning aircraft, and electronic-warfare variants once operational (Army Recognition).
Regional Powers Respond with Heightened Surveillance
Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force detected the carrier group—escorted by two missile destroyers—about 200 kilometers northwest of the Senkaku Islands and dispatched P-3C patrol aircraft for monitoring. The transit coincided with U.S.–Japan drills in Okinawa featuring the Typhon anti-ship missile, while Taiwan’s Defense Ministry confirmed joint intelligence efforts and “appropriate measures” to track the vessel (Al Jazeera).
Strategic Implications and International Law
By asserting that the Taiwan Strait is territorial waters, China challenges the international view that it is an international waterway—a stance opposed by Taiwan, the U.S., and many allies. The Fujian’s advanced range and payload capabilities significantly enhance China’s ability to project power beyond the first island chain, intensifying disputes in both the Taiwan Strait and the contested South China Sea (AP News).
Historical Context and Future Outlook
This drill echoes Zapad 2021, which preceded Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, raising concerns that large-scale exercises can mask preparations for conflict. Military analysts view the Fujian’s sea trials as preparation for an assertive Chinese naval posture, with official commissioning anticipated by year-end and full operational status by 2026, reshaping Indo-Pacific security dynamics.
