According to informed sources, China has not yet begun construction of the new generation Type 002 aircraft carrier.

Experts believe that Beijing is still researching how to safely and reliably build ships equipped with this type of steam-powered aircraft launch system.

Earlier on April 26, China launched its first domestically built Type 001A aircraft carrier.

Recent images of massive ship components at the Dalian shipyard in Liaoning province, posted online by military enthusiasts, have led to speculation that the shipyard has begun construction of the Type 002 aircraft carrier.

However, military expert Antony Wong Dong in Macau suggests that the massive ship parts could be part of China's largest amphibious assault ship, the Type 075.

Zhou Chenming, an expert from the Knowfar Institute for Strategic and Defense Studies, also suggested that these parts might belong to a warship, but not to the Type 002 aircraft carrier. He asserted that the Type 002 shipbuilding project has not yet been decided and argued that this does not mean all aircraft carriers will be built at the same shipyard.

Chinese leaders have always encouraged competition among two or three arms manufacturers, similar to the healthy competition between Shenyang Aircraft Corporation and Shenyang Aerospace Corporation in fighter jet production.

According to Zhou, there is still debate about whether the Type 002 submarine should run on conventional fuel or nuclear fuel.

He stated: "This decision will be made by Chinese President and Chairman of the Central Military Commission Xi Jinping because this aircraft carrier project involves a strategic weapon related to China's long-term, comprehensive defense plan."

According to Beijing-based naval expert Li Jie, Chinese leaders prioritized safety because the Type 002 will be China's first aircraft carrier equipped with a steam-powered aircraft launch system and "doesn't need to be ready or meet any commemorative events."

According to Baotintuc