China Expands Aircraft Carrier Fleet Amid East China Sea Operations

China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) is rapidly expanding its aircraft carrier fleet with the goal of having six carriers by the early 2030s, including at least two nuclear-powered supercarriers, marking a significant modernization effort. Its current fleet includes the Liaoning, acquired from Ukraine and launched in 2012, the Shandong, and the advanced Fujian (Type 003) equipped with electromagnetic catapults, which recently completed an intensive eighth sea trial and tested the new J-35 stealth fighters. The PLAN also conducted training operations near the disputed Senkaku Islands, deploying the Liaoning carrier with accompanying destroyers, prompting Japanese Air Self-Defense responses. This expansion aims to position China as the world's second-largest carrier power behind the U.S., which operates 11 nuclear-powered carriers. Meanwhile, Japan is bolstering its naval defense with the introduction of the Future Multi-mission Frigate – Anti-Air Warfare (FMF-AAW), an upgraded stealth frigate set to gradually replace the Mogami-class, enhancing maritime strike and air defense capabilities by 2028. These developments highlight escalating naval modernization and strategic posturing in the Asia-Pacific region.