After a two-year delay because of technical problems, construction work on the vessel resumed earlier this year, the South China Morning Post reported in January, citing a military source.
"Shipbuilders and ship propulsion engineers are keen on making a significant breakthrough with the construction of the fourth carrier," a source close to the Chinese navy said on condition of anonymity.
"It will be a technological leap for the shipbuilding industry … but construction may take longer than for its sister ship due to the different propulsion systems."
China already has two operational aircraft carriers and a third — to which the source was referring — is expected to be launched this year. None are nuclear powered.