Shandong
Coverage of Shandong in the Nexus archive.
- Why it matters that China’s advanced fighters can use all its carriers
China's older aircraft carriers, such as the Liaoning, can now operate with the advanced Fujian carrier's fighter jets, as demonstrated by PLA exercises showing J-15T jets taking off and landing on the Liaoning. The exercises, conducted during a 40-day mission in the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean, highlight interoperability between carriers using different launch systems.
- Chinese team builds first commercial ‘3-lane highway’ in optical fibre to boost capacity
China activated the world’s first three-band optical fibre communication system, which developers claim can expand AI network capacity. The system in Qingdao, Shandong, allows single fibres to carry over five times more traffic than conventional systems, with transmission capacity per core increasing by nearly half.
- AI hyperscaler effect vaults China’s Zhongji Innolight to top of CSI 300 benchmark
Zhongji Innolight, a supplier of optical modules to US hyperscalers, became the largest constituent of China’s CSI 300 benchmark with a 5% weighting, driven by the AI hyperscaler effect. The company is based in Shandong province and highlights AI’s growing influence on China’s equity market.
- Why Hainan holds the key to survival for China’s aircraft carriers
Hainan's PLA Navy aircraft carrier base is strategically vital for China's fleet survivability and countering U.S. containment along the first island chain. The base could also support a maritime blockade around Taiwan during conflicts, with China operating three carriers including the catapult-equipped advanced model.
- Could all of China’s aircraft carriers soon operate J-35 stealth fighters?
China's three aircraft carriers may soon be capable of operating the J-35 stealth fighter. Currently, only the Fujian carrier with electromagnetic catapults can launch the J-35, while the Liaoning and Shandong use ski-jump decks for J-15 fighters. Chinese experts believe this capability upgrade would significantly enhance the PLA Navy's combat effectiveness.
- How Advanced Is China’s Third Aircraft Carrier?
China commissioned its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, on November 5, 2025, marking a significant advancement in its naval capabilities. The Fujian features an electromagnetic catapult launch system (EMALS) and displaces 80,000 tonnes, making it more advanced than China's previous carriers but still lagging behind U.S. nuclear-powered carriers in certain aspects.