An aerial drone photo taken on May 7, 2024 shows China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, during its maiden sea trials. China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, completed maiden sea trials on Wednesday.(Photo: Xinhua)

Tuesday marked the third anniversary of the launch of China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian. A CCTV report, citing analysts, revealed on Tuesday that the carrier is expected to be commissioned this year, marking China's entry into an era with three operational aircraft carriers. This news has garnered extensive attention both at home and abroad. It should be pointed out that the strengthening of China's aircraft carrier forces is not a threat to regional peace, but rather a new fulcrum for stability. 

As the core equipment of a blue-water navy, aircraft carriers not only provide the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy (PLA) with much-needed long-range air defense capabilities, but also enhance its capabilities in long-range anti-submarine warfare, strategic early warning at sea, long-range power projection and precision strikes against targets while improving its level of informatization. Moreover, they can integrate with surface vessels. 

It is evident that the combat effectiveness of the Chinese PLA Navy has been qualitatively enhanced after being equipped with aircraft carriers, and it is increasingly becoming an important force for maintaining world peace. Aircraft carriers provide China with new means to offer regional marine public goods and deal with non-traditional security threats. With the further development of globalization, non-traditional security issues at sea have become increasingly prominent. Maritime terrorist forces are rampant, posing a threat to global security as international public nuisances. Aircraft carriers possess strong maritime situational awareness and ocean control capabilities, powerful firepower, and highly maneuverable carrier-based aircraft, making them ideal assets to combat maritime terrorist forces.

In recent years, with the increase in extreme weather events around the world, the threat posed by meteorological disasters has been growing. In the post-disaster rescue efforts following such disasters, aircraft carriers have a wide range of applications. First, they can leverage their strategic mobility to be dispatched urgently, making full use of the 72 hours "golden window" to save more lives.

Second, aircraft carriers can serve as power and communication centers. During the 2004 Indonesian tsunami, communications and power were cut off in the affected areas. The US aircraft carrier acted as a temporary communication center and used cables to supply power during the relief efforts. In the future, the Chinese PLA Navy can leverage its geographical advantages to provide similar assistance to typhoon-prone countries along the South China Sea.

Third, aircraft carriers can provide security and support for other rescue forces in disaster areas. Aircraft carriers can carry a large number of communication facilities and sensor equipment including radars because of their large space on board. This equipment can provide communication security for other rescue forces entering the disaster area, and can even provide meteorological and navigation services. 

Fourth, aircraft carriers can provide emergency medical support. Extreme weather disasters not only cause numerous casualties but also damage medical institutions and facilities. Therefore, providing emergency medical assistance becomes key to disaster relief. Aircraft carriers have unique advantages in this regard. They can use shipborne helicopters to transport seriously injured people from disaster areas to the ship, and set up temporary operating rooms on board to provide emergency treatment.

In addition, aircraft carriers can also supply fresh water to disaster areas. The immense destructive power brought by meteorological disasters often leads to interruptions in the fresh water supply. Such interruptions can result in humanitarian disasters and cause the collapse of social order in the affected area, making subsequent recovery more difficult. Aircraft carriers can use their onboard equipment to provide fresh water due to their powerful engines, a capability that is difficult to achieve by other means.

In summary, the strengthening of aircraft carrier forces does not only enhance China's naval power, but also improves China's ability and willingness to provide maritime public goods. This enhancement brings hope to a world that is increasingly threatened by regional turmoil and eager for peace and prosperity.

The author is deputy director of the Northeast Asia Research Center, Shanghai University of Political Science and Law. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn