What is China's new electromagnetic carrier catapult and why does it matter?

China's navy has achieved a significant milestone with the first-ever public demonstration of its electromagnetic aircraft catapult system, a technology that has until now been exclusive to the United States. The development, showcased on its newest and most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, marks a pivotal step in the evolution of the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) and reflects Beijing's growing ambitions to project military power far beyond its coastline. On Monday, the Chinese navy announced that three carrier-based aircraft - the J-15T multirole fighter, the fifth-generation J-35 stealth fighter, and the KJ-600 airborne early warning and control aircraft -…