China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, is making smooth progress in its maritime live-force training since it was commissioned, said a defense spokesperson on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference in Beijing, Jiang Bin, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, made the remarks when responding to a media inquiry about whether the aircraft carrier's training missions were progressing smoothly, after the Taiwan region claimed at the end of 2025 that the vessel had sailed northward through the Taiwan Strait for the first time since its commissioning.
The spokesperson said that since its commissioning, the Fujian has been conducting various training exercises according to plans, continuously moving toward the goal of developing a formation system combat capability.
Aircraft carrier Fujian's maritime live-force training proceeds smoothly: China's Defense Ministry
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Shanghai on Friday afternoon, continuing his historic visit to China and urging closer cooperation between the two nations.
Previously, Starmer arrived in Beijing on Wednesday to begin a four-day official visit at the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang, marking the first visit by a British prime minister to the country in eight years. Accompanying him is a delegation of more than 50 UK companies, spanning manufacturing, green energy, finance, and high-tech industries.
According to China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during his stay in Shanghai, Starmer will visit key city landmarks and meet with senior executives of British companies operating there.
His schedule is expected to include a cultural visit to Yuyuan Garden, one of Shanghai's most iconic historic sites, as well as a stop at the Bund, long home to many British companies' Asia-Pacific and Greater China headquarters.
Shanghai's selection as the second stop of Starmer's current China visit is no coincidence. The city has played a leading role in China-UK cooperation, particularly in financial regulation, market connectivity, artificial intelligence, the digital economy, and modern shipping services. While cooperation was once best known for financial initiatives such as the Shanghai-London Stock Connect, collaboration has since expanded across multiple sectors. Today, exchanges in artificial intelligence and robotics are growing rapidly.
Starmer's visit has yielded a series of concrete outcomes, as the two countries have agreed to develop a long-term, consistent comprehensive strategic partnership.
China has decided to reduce import tariffs on whisky from 10 percent to 5 percent. Furthermore, both countries agreed to establish a high-level partnership to address climate change, resumed security dialogue and signed 12 intergovernmental cooperation documents.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives in Shanghai
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrives in Shanghai
