China's Naval Milestone: Three Aircraft Carriers in Action

The Chinese navy recently conducted exercises and tests involving all three of its aircraft carriers: Liaoning, Shandong, and the newly developed Fujian. This marks a significant advancement in China's naval capabilities, aiming for global influence. The Fujian, notably larger and equipped with advanced tech, is undergoing trials.

The Chinese navy carried out exercises and tests involving all three of its aircraft carriers, demonstrating the accelerated progress of its carrier warship program, official media reported on Tuesday.

China currently operates two aircraft carriers: the Liaoning, a refit of a Soviet-era ship commissioned in 2012, and the domestically built Shandong, commissioned in 2019. The third carrier, Fujian, which is larger with a displacement of 80,000 tons, is undergoing trials.

Ahead of the 12th anniversary of commissioning its first aircraft carrier on Wednesday, all three carriers conducted exercises or tests last week, as reported by state-run Global Times. Observers indicated that China's aircraft carrier program has entered a fast lane, with plans to operate four to five carriers to expand its influence in regions like the South China Sea, Taiwan Strait, and Indian Ocean.

(With inputs from agencies.)