China's newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, set out for its first sea trials on Wednesday, marking the latest milestone in Beijing's military buildup as tensions simmer in both the East and South China Seas.
 
The carrier is set to be commissioned as early as 2025.
 
The carrier's departure closely follows a visit by a group of Japanese lawmakers, including former Defense Minister Tomomi Inada, to the Senkaku Islands in the East China Sea over the weekend.
 
Su Hao, a political commentator, suggested in a blog post that the timing of China's announcement of "military activities" in the East China Sea and the carrier trials was not coincidental.
 
According to Hong Kong media, the PLA Navy intends to have a fleet of six aircraft carriers by 2035. Adm. Yuan Huazhi, the navy's political commissar, told a newspaper that China is currently building its fourth carrier, while hurrying to add guided missile destroyers as protection.
 
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