Why is China increasing the power projection capabilities of its navy? Geopolitics of aircraft carriers in the Indo-Pacific

Thomas More Institute Meeting, Wednesday, May 24th, 2023, 11 am-12:30 pm (Paris time), online conference

May 24, 2023 • Event •


The Fujian, China’s first Catapult Assisted Take-Off But Arrested Recovery (CATOBAR) aircraft carrier, is scheduled to begin sea trials in 2024. Such a warship is undoubtedly the most comprehensive and powerful means of power projection available today. When development of the Fujian is complete, it will be the first in a series of ships that, along with the other components of a carrier strike group, will form the core of China’s power projection capabilities.

These carrier strike groups would enable the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) to challenge the U.S. Navy and its allies for control of the global ocean by 2049, the centennial year of the People’s Republic. China’s mastery of aircraft carrier design represents a major strategic advance in the vast Indo-Pacific region, which is of concern to both regional powers such as Japan and India, as well as Western powers.

On the occasion of the publication of Hugues Eudeline’s new Note “The Genesis and Role of Aircraft Carriers in China’s Geopolitics”, the Thomas More Institute is pleased to invite you to discuss with:

Vice Admiral Vijay Shankar

Former Commanding Officer of aircraft carrier INS Viraat, former Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command (India)

Vice Admiral Yoji Koda

Former Commander-in-Chief, Self Defense Fleet (Japan)

Captain (Navy) Hugues Eudeline

Director of Research at the Thomas More Institute (France)


The meeting will be moderated by Philippe Maze-Sencier, a trustee of the Thomas More Institute.

The meeting will be held on Zoom. The link will be sent to registrants


Registration required

Please reply before Tuesday May 23, 2023