China flexes muscle at sea as new aircraft carrier starts trials

Move follows water cannon blasts on Philippine ships, islet tensions with Japan

20240501 Fujian, on May 1

China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, departs a Shanghai shipyard for sea trials on May 1: One Chinese commentator said the timing of the shakedown cruise was deliberate. © Kyodo

YUICHI SHIGA and TAMAYO MUTO, Nikkei staff writers

TOKYO -- China's newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, set out for its first sea trials on Wednesday, the latest milestone in Beijing's military buildup as tensions simmer in both the East and South China seas.

The vessel, which is equipped with advanced electromagnetic catapults for launching fighter jets, left Shanghai's Jiangnan Shipyard at about 8 a.m., Chinese state news agency Xinhua reported. The goal, it said, is to test the carrier's propulsion and electrical systems.

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