China’s next aircraft-carrier will be its biggest
The Chinese navy is fast learning how to use them
Editor's note: On June 17th China launched the Fujian, its new Type-003 aircraft-carrier. This article, published last year, previewed the Type-003 and assessed China's plans for future carriers.
JIANGNAN SHIPYARD lies on an alluvial island at the mouth of the Yangzi river. It has grown rapidly since it moved there from nearby Shanghai in 2009, churning out destroyers, icebreakers and landing craft for the Chinese navy. The jewel in its crown is under construction. China is saying little about it, but satellite imagery reveals a near-complete flight deck in a corner of the yard where, less than 15 years ago, there was only farmland.
This article appeared in the China section of the print edition under the headline "Carry that weight"
From the July 3rd 2021 edition
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