China launches its third aircraft carrier to boost its naval power.

Arab Sea Newspaper - Follow-ups

**Arab Sea - Follow-ups:** **China's third aircraft carrier, "Fujian," officially entered service during a ceremony at a port in Hainan Province, southern China, attended by President Xi Jinping and a number of state and ruling Communist Party leaders.** **The commissioning of "Fujian" comes as part of Beijing's efforts to modernize the Chinese army and enhance its naval capabilities, amid escalating tensions with Taiwan and regional claims of sovereignty over the South China Sea.** **The New China News Agency (Xinhua) explained that President Xi reviewed the carrier's capabilities and its electromagnetic launch systems, stressing that "Fujian" is characterized by advanced capabilities that allow the deployment of warplanes equipped with larger quantities of ammunition and fuel.** **Thus, "Fujian" joins the two previous Chinese aircraft carriers, "Liaoning" and "Shandong," in a move to strengthen China's maritime influence in the Pacific Ocean and confront the American military influence in the region, despite China's assertion that its goals are peaceful.**