China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy released a commemorative promotional film on April 22, 2026, to mark its 77th anniversary, sparking widespread online discussion about potential hints regarding a fourth aircraft carrier and cross-strait relations.
The film, titled “Toward the Ocean” and published by the “China Military Number” public account, features character names that netizens have linked to existing carriers: “Liao Ning” corresponding to the Liaoning (hull number 16), “Shan Dong” to the Shandong (17) and “Fu Jian” to the Fujian (18). The character “He Jian,” a 19-year-old modern recruit, has drawn particular attention due to the phonetic similarity of his name to “hejian,” meaning nuclear vessel in Chinese, and the sequential numbering suggesting hull number 19 for a potential fourth carrier.
According to verified reports from Chinese state media and military analysts, the Liaoning, commissioned in 2012, remains China’s first aircraft carrier and serves primarily as a training vessel. The Shandong, commissioned in 2019, is the nation’s first domestically built carrier, even as the Fujian, which entered service in November 2025, is the first to feature electromagnetic catapult systems and has successfully conducted flight tests with J-35, J-15T, and KJ-600 aircraft.
The promotional video’s closing scene shows a submarine captain picking up his son, nicknamed “Xiao Wan,” from school in Weihai, Shandong Province. The child’s reluctance to go home and the father’s gentle reassurance have been interpreted by some online commentators as an allegory for Taiwan’s eventual reunification with the mainland, with “Xiao Wan” symbolizing Taiwan and the journey home representing cross-strait unity.
During a naval open house event in Qingdao coinciding with the anniversary celebrations, several naval officers expressed confidence that future warships would bear names associated with Taiwan, reflecting broader aspirations within the PLA Navy for enhanced regional presence and symbolic unification.
While speculation about a nuclear-powered fourth carrier has circulated widely on social media and in some regional news outlets, no official confirmation has been provided by China’s Ministry of Defense or the Central Military Commission regarding propulsion systems or construction timelines for a hypothetical 004-class vessel. Current open-source intelligence indicates that China’s carrier development program continues to focus on improving conventional electromagnetic launch systems and carrier-based aviation capabilities.
The 77th anniversary observance included fleet reviews, public ship visits, and the release of historical documentaries highlighting the PLA Navy’s evolution from a coastal defense force to a blue-water navy capable of distant-sea operations. Official statements emphasized the navy’s role in safeguarding national sovereignty, protecting maritime trade routes, and contributing to international peacekeeping efforts.
As of the latest verified information, China operates three active aircraft carriers, with no fourth vessel yet launched or officially acknowledged in defense white papers. Future carrier development will likely be addressed in China’s next defense budget announcement and military modernization plan, typically released in early spring each year.
For ongoing updates on PLA Navy developments and official defense announcements, readers are encouraged to consult the Ministry of National Defense’s website and reputable international defense news sources.
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