China officially put its most-advanced aircraft carrier, CNS Fujian , into service at a ceremony attended by President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, marking a major milestone for the East Asian power in developing its armed forces to "world-class" standards.

The Fujian is China 's first aircraft carrier equipped with electromagnetic catapults , a design decided by Xi personally, the Chinese military said on Friday . The technology enables the Fujian to launch heavier fixed-wing aircraft, bolstering its combat power.

Why It Matters

Like its U.S. counterpart, the Chinese military has viewed aircraft carriers as a visible symbol of its strength . Under Xi's leadership, the People's Liberation Army has been undergoing modernization, including its fast-growing nuclear forces ,

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