BEIJING: A video by the Chinese navy highlighting China’s blue-water naval ambitions has fueled speculation that its fourth aircraft carrier currently being built will be nuclear-powered. ‘Into the Deep’ was released on Wednesday to mark the 77th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Liberation Army Navy, showcasing the Chinese navy’s transformation from maritime ambitions and coastal security. The video also highlighted China’s “blue-water” navy capable of conducting deep-sea operations. It also features a compass being passed down through generations of naval officers in the names of the three aircraft carriers currently in operation, the Liao Ning, Shan Dong and Fu Jian. But the fourth character was named He Jian, suggesting it could be a nuclear-powered ship because “he” sounds like the Chinese word for “nuclear” and “jian” is the word for a “ship,” the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post reported. China has not officially confirmed this. Satellite images taken over the years show the ship’s shape is similar to America’s nuclear-powered Gerald R Ford-class carriers, leading to speculation about whether a similar propulsion method would be used.
