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Topic: Naval Warfare Blog Brand: The Buzz Region: Asia Tags: Aircraft Carriers, China, Fujian, Indo-Pacific, Liaoning, People’s Liberation Army Navy, and Type 003 Two of China’s Aircraft Carriers Are Now Docked Together December 24, 2025 By: Peter Suciu
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It appears likely that the Chinese carriers Fujian and Liaoning will conduct joint exercises in the weeks to come.
Last week, the People’s Liberation Army Navy’s (PLAN’s) newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Type 003 CNS Fujian, transited the Taiwan Strait and arrived at the Yuchi Naval Base in Qingdao on the northeastern coast of the East China Sea. Yuchi is also the homeport for the Type 001 CNS Liaoning, the PLAN’s first operational carrier. There had been speculation that the Type 003 would instead head to the Shanghai shipyard for maintenance following the recent shakedown cruise as it completes its sea trials.
The third Chinese aircraft carrier, and second to be domestically built from the keel up, was commissioned last month at a flag-presenting ceremony at the Sanya Naval Base in Hainan Province, located on the South China Sea. China’s President Xi Jinping was in attendance and boarded and inspected the vessel.
Displacing more than 80,000 tons, the Fujian is the largest warship built in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and the first catapult-equipped carrier to enter service with the PLAN, significantly enhancing its naval aviation capabilities.
What’s Next for the Fujian?
The arrival of CNS Fujian at the naval base in Shandong province marks the first time the two carriers have been berthed together, suggesting that a joint exercise could take place in the coming days. Although the PLAN has previously carried out such operations with the Liaoning and the Shandong, this would be the first such joint exercise involving the newest carrier.
As The South China Morning Post explained, citing Song Zhongping, a military commentator and former PLA instructor, there are several good reasons why the two warships might carry out a joint exercise. The Type 003 flattop is the most advanced and largest conventionally-powered aircraft carrier in the world today, but its crew may have less operational experience than that of the Type 001 CNS Liaoning.
“One plus one is greater than two, especially when the two aircraft carriers have different capacities and they need to carry out technical exchanges, especially between the crews,” Song said, adding, “The Fujian is relatively young and could benefit from studying the Liaoning‘s operations and experience.”
The training could extend both ways.
“It would likely also see sharing lessons on sortie rates, deck safety, logistics, and battle rhythm, and practising dual-carrier command coordination,” Interesting Engineering reported.
The Fujian spent much of the first half of 2025 undergoing eight sea trials, testing its propulsion, electronic systems, deck operations, and electromagnetic catapults and aircraft recovery systems. It was followed by nearly three months of post-trial maintenance.
Joint Carrier Exercises Would Send a Message to Taiwan
Any joint operations would also send a clear signal to self-ruling Taiwan, which Beijing views as a breakaway province that will be returned to mainland control, by force if necessary. Having two carriers would make the PLAN’s increasing capabilities clear to the government in Taipei.
Moreover, it would send a message to other powers in the region and beyond, including potential rivals such as India, which operates two carriers, and Japan, which pioneered carrier development a century ago and is now converting its two multipurpose destroyers into de facto carriers.
About the Author: Peter Suciu
Peter Suciu has contributed over 3,200 published pieces to more than four dozen magazines and websites over a 30-year career in journalism. He regularly writes about military hardware, firearms history, cybersecurity, politics, and international affairs. Peter is also a contributing writer for Forbes and Clearance Jobs. He is based in Michigan. You can follow him on Twitter: @PeterSuciu. You can email the author: Editor@nationalinterest.org.
Image: Shutterstock / Chintung Lee.
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Источник: nationalinterest.org