The most modern aircraft carrier of the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN), Fujian (CV-18), is reported to have departed in recent hours from the port of Qingdao, a move that several analysts interpret as the start of a new operational deployment or training phase. The information is based on Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) satellite imagery showing the vessel leaving port, although its destination and the specific objective of this new sortie have not yet been officially confirmed.
According to the records analyzed, Fujian left the pier where it had been berthed in Qingdao, one of the PLAN’s main naval bases in the north of the country. The absence of official statements has led observers to consider various scenarios, ranging from additional sea trials and advanced training exercises to a possible deployment to other maritime areas of strategic interest for Beijing.
This movement also takes place in a context of increasing Chinese naval activity, particularly in the Western Pacific and in areas close to Taiwan. In recent months, the 80,000-ton aircraft carrier has been involved in several sea voyages leading up to its official entry into service. During these, its propulsion systems, sensors and, in particular, its electromagnetic catapult system were validated—a capability that sets it apart from the other aircraft carriers operated by the Chinese Navy, Liaoning (CV-16) and Shandong (CV-17).
Beyond this, since its official commissioning at a naval port in Sanya, in Hainan Province, there has been widespread speculation regarding its next movements, further compounded by the secrecy that characterizes the Asian giant with regard to its armed forces. Nevertheless, reports did emerge in mid-December 2025 confirming that Fujian had carried out its first official deployment, involving a transit through the Taiwan Strait.
Although the exact rationale behind these trans-maritime trials and training activities was not entirely clear—as they are considered a normal part of the aircraft carrier construction and acceptance process—analysts agree that this possible new sortie could be linked to further operational evaluations. These would involve not only the carrier itself but also its embarked air wing, including aircraft launch and recovery procedures and the integration of command and control systems.
For now, the final destination of the aircraft carrier Fujian remains uncertain. Nevertheless, its departure from Qingdao reinforces the notion that China continues to accelerate the process of bringing its most advanced warship to full operational readiness.
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