China launches sea trial of its largest-ever aircraft carrier

ANKARA

China on Wednesday launched the maiden sea trial of Fujian, its "most advanced" and first homemade aircraft carrier, state media reported.

It came nearly two years after the aircraft carrier was first unveiled in June 2022, Beijing-based Xinhua News reported.

The Fujian, the Chinese navy's largest-ever ship, is China's third aircraft carrier after the Liaoning and the Shandong vessels.

It departed from eastern Shanghai's Jiangnan Shipyard at around 8:00 a.m. (local time).

The trials, which follow heightened tensions in the disputed South China Sea, will "primarily test the reliability and stability of the aircraft carrier's propulsion and electrical systems