Key facts
- China's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday.
- Taiwan's defense ministry confirmed the passage and stated that military surveillance methods were employed.
- The Fujian is China's most advanced carrier, featuring a flat flight deck and electromagnetic catapults.
- The U.S. Navy and some allies periodically send warships through the strait.
China's newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, Taiwan's defense ministry announced. This transit marks the first time the carrier has passed through the sensitive waterway since April.
Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its own territory, regularly reports Chinese military activity in the region, viewing it as a pressure campaign. The ministry confirmed the Fujian's passage and stated that military surveillance methods were employed to monitor its movement. A photograph of the ship was also released, though no aircraft were visible on its deck.
The Fujian is distinguished by its flat flight deck and electromagnetic catapults, which allow for the launch of more powerful and heavier-armed jet fighters compared to China's two older Russian-designed carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong. These older carriers utilize ramps for aircraft launches.
China asserts sovereignty over the Taiwan Strait, a crucial maritime route, while Taiwan and the United States consider it an international waterway. The U.S. Navy, along with some allies, periodically sends warships through the strait.