China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, entered into service on Wednesday at a grand ceremony in Sanya, Hainan, according to state media reports.The Fujian is China’s most advanced warship and its first aircraft carrier to be equipped with electromagnetic catapults.

Its inauguration makes China only the second country, after the United States, to operate a carrier with this aircraft launch technology.

President Xi Jinping attended the ceremony, which took place on Wednesday, and boarded the Fujian afterwards to hear briefings on aircraft carrier combat capabilities and the use of its advanced electromagnetic catapults, according to Xinhua.

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What is known about the Fujian, China’s first home-designed aircraft carrier

What is known about the Fujian, China’s first home-designed aircraft carrier

The ceremony was also attended by General Zhang Shengmin, who was recently promoted to deputy chairman of the Central Military Commission. Other senior officials, including Xi’s chief of staff Cai Qi and Vice-Premier Zhang Guoqing, were also present, according to Xinhua.