@Bhurki
In terms of equivalent, the 055 is more akin to the Burke as an autonomous ship that can sail in formation as well and form carrier groups.
The 052 series doesn’t really have an US equivalent, it is more analogous to the large European frigates/RN destroyers.
In terms of role in a task force or a navy's orbat, 052D, 052C, and the large Euro frigates (horizon) or the RN's Type 45 fit the same job description you described for Burkes. They are all capable of operating autonomously or operating as part of task forces or carrier groups.
The relative capability of those ships compared to Burkes, Ticos, and other ships like 055 all lie on a spectrum of course, but when looking at the respective roles and equivalents of various ships in different navies it is not only capability which is important but also overall naval structure.
It can be specialized for anti air (like the type 45) and act as a decent carrier escort, but I believe it’s main job is similar to the FREMM frigates. To lead fleets of smaller frigates and provide destroyer quality air cover while providing a heavier ASW platform for others to coordinate with.
The 052s have a clear role, even if it doesn’t have an analogue in the US navy.
Most likely China designed them like that since they were on the fence whether to commit to spending more and having an USN level navy or “merely” a combined EU level one, both would be valid options given population and economy size.
All ships are designed with their own overall naval orbat structure in mind.
Of the current US Navy and PLAN surface combatants in service recently or due to enter service in the next few years, there are actually few "equivalent" ships.
the PLAN has 1500 ton corvettes and 4000 ton multirole frigates produced in fairly large number, with 6000-7000 ton modern AAW destroyers being the next big category, now seen with the 12,000 ton large destroyer/cruiser.
The USN's main surface combatant categories in recent years and in the next year or so are a growing number of 3000 ton LCS, a handful of 4000 ton OHP frigates, and then a massive large number of 9000-10,000 ton Burke destroyers and about two dozen 10,000 ton Tico cruisers, and then the handful of three 15,000 ton Zumwalts.
So yes, the 052D of course is not an equal of a Burke, but the PLA Navy's orbat structure is very different to that of the USN, just like how 054As and 056s are very different to LCS, and how 055 is quite different to Ticos, Burkes or Zumwalts as well.
