Historians are likely to point to 2025 as the watershed in China’s 21st century ascent, a year in which the People’s Liberation Army’s power projection matured across all domains, resetting the global balance of power. This seismic shift is underscored by an unmistakable admission: the US has formally acknowledged the limits of its global reach in its new national security strategy and begun a strategic recalibration away from undisputed hegemony.
These military and strategic realities are linked to economic ones as Beijing leveraged its strategic advantages, including a near-monopoly on rare earths, to force Washington into concessions on hi-tech restrictions. The emerging discourse around a potential “G2”, or Group of Two, and the US security strategy’s designation of China as a near-peer competitor confirm that the era of American dominance is over.
This rebalancing was on display throughout the year. It began with a powerful gesture early in the year, when a PLA Navy task force, led by the sophisticated Type 055 destroyer Zunyi, sailed into the Southwest Pacific near Sydney. The message was clear: the Chinese navy can operate confidently anywhere. This voyage was a prelude to a more assertive move eastwards.
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Last month, China commissioned its first electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier, the Fujian. With a full-load displacement exceeding 80,000 tonnes, it is the world’s first conventionally powered carrier with electromagnetic catapults, enabling heavier aircraft to launch with more fuel and munitions for an extended strike range.
Its entry into service, after successful sea trials and the integration of aircraft like the J-35 stealth fighter, ushers in a “three-aircraft-carrier era” for China, changing the strategic calculus in the Pacific.
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This shift translated into tactical reality earlier this month. When the aircraft carrier Liaoning and its battle group sailed eastwards, they formed an impressive presence, with more than 100 warships reportedly active across adjacent seas.