NOVELTY - Catalyst coated membrane (CCM) comprises at least one hydroxyl-ion conducting catalyst layer and an ion-conducting membrane, where the ionomer throughout the entire CCM is cross-linked in one chemical step including cross-linking within the ion-conducting membrane, while enabling simultaneous chemical bonding across the interfaces between at least one catalyst layer and the ion-conducting membrane.    USE - The catalyst coated membrane is useful in a membrane electrode assembly which is useful in an alkaline membrane fuel cell or in alkaline membrane fuel cell stack (all claimed).    ADVANTAGE - The catalyst coated membrane: exhibits robust characteristics in terms of minimized mechanical deformation and lower swelling-deswelling cycling deformation, and thus has extended usage life; has good structural stability; utilizes the AME which does not require the presence of precious metal catalysts; and achieves a homogenized catalyst layer with good adhesion to the membrane precursor.    DETAILED DESCRIPTION - INDEPENDENT CLAIMS are also included for:    (1) forming (M1) the alkaline membrane fuel cell anion conductive CCM cell, comprising: soaking the whole alkaline membrane fuel cell CCM precursor into a solution, or dispersing an anion conducting ionomer material, and amine compound mixture to form a fully functionalized CCM; soaking and washing the fully functionalized CCM in sulfuric acid; soaking and washing the fully functionalized CCM in sodium or potassium bicarbonate aqueous solution; soaking and washing the fully functionalized CCM in water; drying the fully functionalized CCM at room temperature; and compressing of the fully functionalized dried CCM at room temperature;    (2) activating (M2) the alkaline membrane fuel cell anion conductive CCM cell, where no soaking in potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and/or any other hydroxyl liquid solution is needed;    (3) a membrane electrode assembly comprising the CCM and a pair of gas diffusion layers; and    (4) an alkaline membrane fuel cell stack comprising many membrane electrode assemblies.