TOKYO, Sept 12 – Japan’s Defense Ministry said Thursday that the Self-Defense Forces have visually confirmed China’s newest aircraft carrier Fujian for the first time as it sailed in the East China Sea, Kyodo news agency reported.
China’s third aircraft carrier is known as its first with an electromagnetic catapult system that makes efficient aircraft-launching possible.
The ministry’s Joint Staff said it is analyzing whether the carrier has officially entered service or is still operating on a trial basis.
Meanwhile, a Chinese expert played down the hype, saying that it is completely normal for Chinese warships to sail in those waters, and that the Fujian could be preparing for widely anticipated commissioning.
