China’s newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, has completed its first electromagnetic catapult-assisted takeoff and arrested landing trials with three carrier-based aircraft types, according to state media. Each successfully launched and recovered from the Fujian’s flight deck, marking the first time that China has demonstrated catapult-and-arrest operations across multiple carrier aircraft. Officials described the achievement as conferring “initial full-deck operational capability,” allowing multiple aircraft types to begin integration into carrier formations. blockquote class=”twitter-tweet” data-media-max-width=”700″ data-dnt=”true”> PLA Navy J-35 Jet, KJ-600 AEW&C | Aircraft Carrier EM Catapult Launch • “Fujian” pic.twitter.com/wc4USPQpGU — David Wang (@Nickatgreat1220) September 22, 2025A leap in Chinese carrier aviationThe Fujian is China’s first domestically built CATOBAR (Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery) carrier and the first to use electromagnetic catapults rather than ski-jump ramps. State media framed the achievement as part of a broader progression “from ski-jump to catapult launches” and from single-type to integrated carrier air wings.