I think the categorization of the three fleets are very vague, mainly depending on where the ship is stationed. The three fleets are somewhat merging over the years. Plus, the initial separation into three fleets was a decision caused by the lack of capabilities of PLAN in the early days. The Chinese coastal line is not that long, but when you only had small torpedo boats and few small destroyers/frigates (2000ton class, however you want to call it), you have no choice but to divide it up.
In this period, it would be better to change the classification and nature of those fleets. Instead of three regions for three fleets, it should be a north fleet, responsible for the northern waters; then the southern fleet, covering today's east sea fleet's area plus the spratlys and Taiwan region. Then the third fleet covering oversea, long range operation. Of course due to political pressure, it's not clever to call it the expeditionary fleet/force. Maybe they all should be numbered, 1st to 3rd.
The classification and zoning of the currents fleets are outdated and inadequate for today's situation. It would like having three fleets on each side of the American continents.
