Construction The National Interest reported that construction began in March 2015.
The Diplomat reported that "initial work" began in February 2016, with
Shanghai Jiangnan Shipyard Group receiving a notice to proceed in March 2017. Work was reportedly delayed in June 2017 by EM and steam catapult tests. By November 2017, work had resumed after the PLAN reportedly developing an IEP system to power the EM catapults. The first
prefabricated block modules were placed into the
dry dock in July 2020, and most of the
keel and base
hull blocks were in place by early September 2020. The
superstructure was installed by July 2021.
Outfitting Fujian was launched on 17 June 2022.
Western media noted that
Fujian province was opposite to
Taiwan across the
Taiwan Strait. Power and mooring tests started in April 2023. Aircraft
mockups were also used.
Sea trials Fujian started sea trials in May 2024. The first occurred from 1 to 8 May.
Fujian returned to Jiangnan pier near Shanghai from its fifth sea trial on 3 December 2024, after having left on 18 November 2024; this was its longest trial out of the five trials conducted up until December 2024. Photographs of the returning carrier showed rubber markings from tyres on the deck, a possible indicator that real aircraft were involved in the fifth trial. On 18 March 2025, the
Fujian set out on its seventh sea trial. Because catapult testing was expected to take place, expectations that the ship could be commissioned in 2025 were raised, should the tests be deemed a success. The carrier returned from its seventh sea trial on 1 April 2025.
Fujian carried out its eighth sea trial at the end of May 2025, with ship-borne
Shenyang J-35 stealth fighters, fitted for catapult launch, carrying out tests and flights at the same time. On 1 August 2025, Chinese media released a video teasing the launch of the
J-15T carrier-borne fighter aircraft using electromagnetic catapults. Though no complete sequence of the take-off and recovery was shown, The ninth sea trial began on 10 September 2025. On 11 September the
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed it was spotted in waters northwest of the
Senkaku Islands, heading for the
Taiwan Strait. On 12 September it was confirmed to have passed through the Taiwan Strait and headed for the
South China Sea for training and testing. The report speculates that, based on the number of sea trials conducted by Chinese aircraft carriers prior to commissioning, the carrier could be commissioned on 18 September (the commemoration of the
September 18 Incident) or early October (
National Day). The Chinese navy downplayed the trip, however, saying on 12 September that this "cross-regional trial and training exercise" was a routine arrangement in the carrier's construction process. On 22 September 2025, the Chinese state broadcaster released multiple videos and photos showing the complete launch and recovery sequence for the
Shenyang J-15T,
Shenyang J-35, and
Xi'an KJ-600 aircraft, via the ship's
electromagnetic catapults.
PLA Navy announced that
Fujian had achieved "initial full-deck operational capability", and the test laid the foundation for the ensuing integration of the carrier air wing and the
carrier battle group. These flight tests were likely completed months ago during one of the earlier sea trials, instead of in September. The timing of the footage's release during the 9th sea trial could indicate that the commissioning of the aircraft carrier was imminent.
Commissioning The carrier was commissioned at a ceremony in
Sanya,
Hainan on 5 November 2025.
CCP general secretary and
Central Military Commission chairman
Xi Jinping was in attendance at the commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony. Afterwards, he boarded for an inspection tour. This transit was not an operational deployment, in contrast to the carriers
Liaoning and
Shandong, which conducted extensive carrier strike group operations around Japan and Taiwan in 2025. == See also ==