China’s Communist Party promotes man who shaped the fighting future of PLA Navy’s aircraft carriers

Rear Admiral Ma Weiming is seen as pioneer of electromagnetic aircraft launch system

Experts say Ma’s full membership of Central Committee shows how important sea power is to China’s strategic planning

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An artist’s impression of China’s third aircraft carrier, the Type 002, which will incorporate an electromagnetic aircraft launch system developed by Rear Admiral Ma Weiming and his team. source: Photo: Handout

Published: 7:00pm, 1 Nov 2019Updated: 10:00pm, 1 Nov 2019

China’s Communist Party has elevated the senior naval engineer behind the development of a hi-tech launch system for the country’s next aircraft carriers, showing China’s ambition to increase its naval power.

Rear Admiral Ma Weiming, who is seen as the pioneer of China’s electromagnetic aircraft launch system (EMALS), was named as a full member, from alternate member, of the party’s Central Committee at the party plenary meeting which ended on Thursday.

The plenum sessions – attended by more than 300 full and alternate members of the Central Committee – provide an opportunity for the party’s most senior members to discuss and forge consensus on key policy issues.

Real Admiral Ma Weiming (right) has been elevated to full membership of the Communist Party’s Central Committee. Photo: SCMP

Li Jie, a Beijing-based military specialist, said the move showed China’s ambition to continue expanding its naval military power.

“Ma’s promotion signals that Beijing will devote more resources to developing strategic military hardware like large warships and assault landing ships,” he said.