China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy is set to unveil its fourth aircraft carrier, raising speculation about its potential nuclear capabilities. Political Commissar Yuan Huazhi confirmed the upcoming announcement, stating that China's aircraft carrier development is progressing smoothly without technological obstacles.

Yuan emphasized that China's aircraft carrier program is not intended to compete with the United States but rather to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. He highlighted the defensive nature of China's national defense policy and expressed confidence in the PLA Navy's ability to address potential threats, including U.S. aircraft carriers deployed in the West Pacific.

Experts anticipate that China will continue to expand its aircraft carrier fleet as part of its strategy to establish a blue-water navy capable of safeguarding its interests both near and far. The current deployment pattern suggests that the PLA Navy can only have one carrier operational at any given time, necessitating the acquisition of additional carriers.

Analysts speculate that the fourth aircraft carrier could be nuclear-powered, offering advantages such as unlimited range. However, others believe that China may opt for a conventionally powered carrier like the Fujian, citing cost efficiency and faster combat capability generation. The PLA Navy currently operates two conventionally powered aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and the Shandong, while the third carrier, Fujian, is undergoing mooring tests and is expected to conduct sea trials this year.