Designing a 6,500-ton Chinese heavy cruiser

How could a 6,500-ton Chinese heavy cruiser combine hybrid coal-oil propulsion, aviation and long range?

Concentrate six 8-inch guns in two triple turrets forward, avoiding the space and magazine costs of a third turret aft.

The proposed cruiser must fit six 8-inch guns, aviation facilities, a 6,000-nautical-mile range and a mixed coal-oil plant into only 6,500 standard tons. Three twin turrets would require another magazine and more protected space aft. Two triple 8-inch turrets placed forward produce a compact arrangement resembling a miniature Nelson or Dunkerque. Magazine volume and machinery demands can dictate a warship's silhouette.