China Building Fourth Aircraft Carrier, Likely Largest and Nuclear Powered

China’s armed forces are building the country’s fourth aircraft carrier. The Center for Strategic and International Studies said progress on the vessel has been steady, though details remain scarce. The ship is expected to be the largest of China’s carriers and will probably be nuclear powered. It remains years from deployment even on an accelerated schedule.

Strategic and International Studies described the effort as the latest step in the Chinese navy’s rapid modernization drive. The same statement said the project underscores Beijing’s continued push toward a larger, more capable blue-water fleet. The Center for Strategic and International Studies added that the carrier could result in a sea change in the global balance of military power.