China’s newest aircraft carrier, the Fujian, sailed through the Taiwan Strait on Friday, marking its first passage through the body of water separating China from Taiwan.

The navy said the carrier, currently conducting sea trials, was heading to the South China Sea for training and scientific experiments and insisted its activities were not aimed at any other country.

Analysts note the passage could signal China’s growing military capabilities, although officials downplayed any message to the U.S. or Taiwan, emphasizing the strait as the most direct route to the South China Sea.

The Fujian, China’s third aircraft carrier, was accompanied by two guided-missile destroyers near the disputed Senkaku/Diaoyu Islands and is expected to be officially commissioned by the end of 2025, the Associated Press has reported.

The move comes amid heightened regional tensions, following recent transits by Canadian and Australian warships through the strait, which China labeled as provocative.