The design organization and the yard that physically builds a carrier have different roles. China's carrier-design institute has become increasingly important to naval development and more represented within the country's political structure, so following the institute can reveal continuity even when construction moves between yards. Liaoning and Shandong were rebuilt or constructed at Dalian, but Fujian went to Jiangnan near Shanghai. The move appears to be part of developing a large-combatant specialist yard with more room to expand and sustain future production.
Notable Point · 33:12-35:29
Design institutes and shipyards divide carrier innovation
China's carrier-design institute carries knowledge across programmes, while the move from Dalian to Jiangnan for Fujian points to the separate importance of expandable large-ship construction capacity.