Friday’s launch of the third and most advanced aircraft carrier by the People’s Republic of China signifies yet another milestone for Xi Jinping. The nation is now a step closer to an ultra-modern navy, one that is capable of competing with the naval prowess of the United States of America. The ship, named Fujian after the Chinese province across Tai- wan, is said to be the navy’s most modern and resembles the latest American carrier, the Gerald R. Ford. Not that the launch was wholly unexpected; the critical facet must be that it has happened amidst heightened tensions in the South China Sea. 

The expression of naval might has happened in the aftermath of the warning by China’s defence minister, General Wei Fenghe, that it would not back down from war with Taiwan if the latter took steps toward independence. “The launch is a major milestone for the People’s Liberation Army,” said Dew Thomson, a for- mer Pentagon official responsible for China. It has reflected China’s long-term ambition to project power militarily and compete directly with the United States. 

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Fireworks were set off and confetti was released alongside the carrier in the Jiangnan Shipyard near Shanghai. Across the carrier’s deck, red banners were draped, carrying slogans about fulfilling the party’s goal of building a modern navy and a strong army. President Xi Jinping has made modernizing the military a key mission; expansion of the navy is at the core of that plan. The new carrier will allow China to expand its power further afield and help to protect its interests in the South China Sea and beyond in the midst of geopolitical pressures. 

On closer reflection, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has raised the spectre of war in Taiwan and reinforced Mr Xi’s vision of claiming self-governed Taiwan as a “rejuvenation” for China. 

Indeed, its military has demonstrated its might in ways that have increasingly incurred rebuke and warnings from Washington and its allies. “Because China has not been fully unified thus far and continues to have disputes in the South China Sea and Diaoyo Island, it is necessary for China to strengthen its military capabilities,” said Song Zhongping, an independent Chinese military analyst. 

He was referring to the disputed islands in the East China Sea, known in China as Diaoyu and in Japan as Senkaku. Unlike its two earlier carriers that feature a “ski jump” deck, the Fujian has what they call an “electromagnetic catapult system”. Previously, this was a feature that only the US Navy had, the state media reported. The catapults are a “major leap forward” for China’s military, allowing it to launch “fixed-wing aircraft”. President Xi scored a military achievement not too long after he was proclaimed as the “President for life”.