China’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, recently navigated the sensitive Taiwan Strait en route to the South China Sea during ongoing sea trials. Unveiled in 2022 and still not formally commissioned, the Fujian’s voyage was described by the Chinese navy as routine for scientific research and training purposes, with no specific target intended. This move coincides with US Marines and Japanese forces conducting joint exercises near Okinawa, featuring advanced missile systems, heightening regional military activity. The Fujian’s trials mark a significant step in China’s naval development amid ongoing geopolitical tensions in the area.
