China's aircraft carrier Fujian is capable of using electromagnetic catapults and arresting gear to facilitate aircraft operations, marking a milestone achievement of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA Navy) made after more than two decades of development.
During a recent on-site visit, a China Media Group reporter got an up-close look of the advanced electromagnetic catapult system of the Fujian, learning about how carrier-based fighter jets can accelerate from stationary to takeoff speed in just two seconds.
"It can meet the acceleration needs of carrier-based aircraft within a relatively short distance. And then, within an extremely short distance, it ensures the smooth function of the arresting gear," said Bao Yu, an officer of the aircraft carrier.
The Fujian, along with other PLA Navy warships, recently conducted its first live-force training since its commissioning on Nov 5, during which various types of carrier-based aircraft completed multiple catapult-assisted takeoff and landing drills on the vessel.
Unlike the ski-jump decks of China's first two carriers -- the Liaoning and the Shandong -- the Fujian features a flat flight deck, with a full-load displacement exceeding 80,000 tonnes. Its ability to launch aircraft using electromagnetic catapult-assisted take-off and arrested recovery operations allows Chinese naval aviation to operate farther and with more substantial payloads than seen before.
Experts note that the ability to achieve both rapid acceleration and instantaneous braking within a limited space is one of the key technical challenges of electromagnetic catapult systems, highlighting the advanced control and energy management capabilities built into the Fujian's design.
China's Fujian aircraft carrier showcases advanced electromagnetic catapult system
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday unveiled a draft 20-point peace plan for ending the conflict between Ukraine and Russia, stressing that the document remains a framework and that its provisions could be revised during future negotiations.
Speaking at a press briefing in Kiev, Zelensky said the document reflects to a large extent the shared positions of Ukraine and the United States and acknowledged that several key issues remain unresolved.
According to the president, the draft includes provisions reaffirming Ukraine' sovereignty and establishing a mechanism to monitor the contact line to ensure long-term peace. It also proposes strong security guarantees for Ukraine, maintaining the size of Ukraine's armed forces at 800,000 personnel in peacetime, and security assurances from the U.S., NATO and Europe similar to NATO's Article Five collective defense clause.
Also included in the plan are issues such as Ukraine's accession to the European Union with a clear time frame; the establishment of multiple funds totaling 800 billion U.S. dollars for economic recovery, reconstruction and humanitarian needs; accelerated negotiations on a Ukraine-U.S. free trade agreement; Ukraine's continued non-nuclear status, joint operation of the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant by Ukraine, the U.S. and Russia, and early elections in Ukraine.
Territorial issues are also addressed in the draft, though Zelensky said they remain unresolved.
The draft also raises the possibility of establishing a "free economic zone" in the Donbas region.
On Wednesday, Zelensky reiterated that Ukraine would not agree to any provision requiring it to abandon its aspiration to join NATO. He said ending the conflict would require an agreement among Ukraine, the U.S., Europe and Russia, while NATO membership is a decision for NATO member states.
Zelensky added that Ukraine seeks a clear timetable for joining the European Union, which he described as the country's true security guarantees. He said the draft peace plan would be submitted to parliament for approval or put to a nationwide referendum.
On Wednesday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin has been briefed about contacts with President Donald Trump's envoys on U.S. proposals for a possible Ukrainian peace deal.
Russia has the conditions to clarify its position and will continue to advance the negotiation process through existing channels, according to Peskov who did not comment on the new 20-point draft plan.
"All the main parameters of the Russian side's position are well known to our colleagues from the United States," Peskov told reporters on Wednesday.
Zelensky unveils new 20-point draft peace plan
