China's aircraft carrier Fujian sails through Taiwan Strait amid heightened tensions

Taiwan's Ministry of Defense confirmed that the Chinese aircraft carrier Fujian, the newest and largest non‑nuclear carrier in the People’s Liberation Army Navy, passed through the Taiwan Strait on 23 June 2026. The transit occurred one day after Taipei launched a five‑day military drill, prompting Taiwan to use surveillance, intelligence and reconnaissance assets to monitor the carrier closely. No aircraft were seen on the carrier's deck during the passage.

Fujian was commissioned in November 2025 after a series of test runs, including an initial trial through the strait in September 2025. It features a flat flight deck and an electromagnetic aircraft launch system, making it more advanced than China’s earlier carriers. The movement is viewed as a strategic signal by Beijing, underscoring its growing naval capabilities and asserting its claim over Taiwan, while Taiwan reiterated its commitment to vigilant monitoring of Chinese military activity.