The commissioning ceremony of China's newest aircraft carrier, Fujian, was marked by the unexpected absence of three senior naval commanders, an omission highlighted by the Financial Times and widely noted by observers of China’s military leadership.
According to the report, state television footage did not show Admiral Hu Zhongming, commander of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, nor Admiral Wu Yanan, who heads the Southern Theater Command responsible for the island of Hainan, where the ceremony took place. Also missing was Admiral Wang Wenquan, political commissar of the regional command.
The absence of all three senior figures at such a significant national event drew particular attention, especially because the ceremony marked the operational debut of the country’s third and most advanced aircraft carrier.
Absences Spark Discussion of Xi Jinping’s Military Shake-Up
The publication notes that just several weeks earlier, authorities in Beijing dismissed ten high-ranking officers of the People’s Liberation Army. Sources cited by the newspaper believe the missing admirals may indicate that the sweeping personnel purge initiated by President Xi Jinping—described as the most extensive since the era of Mao Zedong—is still ongoing.
Observers suggest that the shake-up is aimed at asserting tighter control over the armed forces and addressing corruption and factionalism within the military’s highest ranks.
Xi Jinping Attends the Fujian Commissioning
The Fujian’s official commissioning took place on November 5 at the naval port of Sanya. President Xi Jinping personally attended the event, accompanied by senior officials from relevant state departments. He boarded the vessel, received a report on its readiness, and inspected the ship’s command bridge.
The carrier’s activation represents a significant milestone in China’s naval expansion, though the conspicuous absence of key admirals continues to fuel questions about internal unrest within the military hierarchy.
