Taipei—China’s most modern aircraft carrier is expected to be commissioned by 2025, the Taiwan government said Tuesday, describing it as
China’s saber-rattling has intensified in recent years under President Xi Jinping, who has said the “reunification” of Taiwan must not be passed on to future generations.
The Fujian, Beijing’s third and biggest carrier, was launched last year but authorities have not said when it will enter service. The Fujian is China’s “first catapult aircraft carrier”. Its other carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong, use a ski-jump-style ramp for takeoffs, said Huang Wen-chi, assistant deputy chief of Taiwan’s General Staff for Intelligence.“This is a major maritime threat that we must actively deal with in the future,” Huang told reporters.
The incursions came after the Shandong was detected on Monday around 60 nautical miles southeast of the island heading into the Western Pacific.