Three steps to go before Fujian aircraft carrier achieves full-scale combat capability: experts

China's newly commissioned and most advanced aircraft carrier the Fujian needs to go through three more core steps before achieving full-scale actual combat capability: equipping it with carrier-based aircraft, deploying an escort fleet, and conducting long-range training, according to military affairs experts.

The Fujian, the country's first indigenously designed and built aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults, entered into military service on Wednesday, marking a new chapter in the development of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.

"The core of an aircraft carrier's combat power is the carrier-based aircraft. To achieve combat capability, it must first have a full complement of carrier-based aircraft. Currently, some of our fighter jets and fixed-wing AEW aircraft have been able to take off and land on the Fujian. The next step is to further increase their numbers onboard. Of course, how China configures its own Fujian carrier-based aircraft will be realized on the basis of our national conditions, military situation, technology and equipment, and the characteristics of the aircraft carrier itself," said Zhang Xuefeng, a Chinese military affairs expert.

"After achieving a full complement of aircraft, the aircraft carrier needs to be equipped with a carrier strike and escort group. This will give it relatively strong air defense and anti-submarine capabilities, as well as the ability to strike surface and land targets. After the carrier strike group is fully equipped, high-intensity long-range training will be conducted to ensure that our commanders and soldiers reach a high level of combat capability," Zhang said.

Launched in June 2022 and named after east China's Fujian Province, the Fujian is the country's first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults.

Experts also shared their visions on how China's aircraft carriers would develop in the future.

"The highest level of the aircraft carrier today is nuclear-powered and equipped with electromagnetic catapults. So I think the next step will inevitably be to realize the construction of nuclear-powered aircraft carriers," Zhang said.

"Future aircraft carrier designs will likely involve the designing of vessels with larger tonnage. Compared to conventional power, nuclear power offers virtually unlimited range, reduces fuel limitations, and allows the aircraft carrier to achieve better control of sea areas for extended periods," said Zhang Junshe, another military affairs expert.

Three steps to go before Fujian aircraft carrier achieves full-scale combat capability: experts

The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities' separatist moves to stoke cross-Strait hostility are unpopular and doomed to fail, said Zhang Han, spokeswoman for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing on Wednesday.

Zhang made the comments at a regular press conference in response to a media query about recent inappropriate remarks by Chiu Chui-cheng, head of the so-called "mainland affairs council", regarding the Chinese mainland's policy of advancing high-quality cross-Strait integrated development".

"Our fellow Taiwan compatriots are our kith and kin. Over the years, acting on the principle that 'people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are all of the same family', we have actively promoted cross-Strait economic and cultural exchanges and cooperation, deepened the integrated development across various fields, and made steady progress in implementing policies that provide equal treatment to Taiwan compatriots. These efforts have continuously yielded new results, fully demonstrating our goodwill in seeking benefits for Taiwan compatriots and our sincerity in advancing the peaceful and integrated development of cross-Strait relations. Such endeavors have been met with strong support and wide acclaim from our Taiwan compatriots. Driven by its separatist pursuit of 'Taiwan secession', the DPP authorities are deeply fearful of closer ties between people across the Strait. They have deliberately fanned the flames of confrontation and antagonism, while resorting to slander and obstruction against anything that helps develop cross-Strait relations and benefits people on both sides. Such moves are deeply unpopular and are bound to fail," she said.

DPP's moves to stoke cross-Strait hostility unpopular, doomed to fail: spokeswoman