Perhaps, what they meant is that the CNC machinery was the missing link -- the concept of the ideal propeller was there, but not the execution. But even then, we have seen pictures of huge CNC milling machinery at a Chinese yard working on a propeller a few years ago. The machine was developed as part of a govt project to develop core technologies.
So the sub noise cannot be pinned down to the CNC machinery as the main cause.
To be honest, I agree - I don't think the CNC is that much of an issue. the basics of CNC is all there and the precision control is there; the only real advantage of western/japan milling machines is the optimization logic which increases production speed, material strength retention, tool life, etc.
It is like medieval armorers cutting screws, they can do it and precision is as good as modern screws, but it is really slow; until machine screw cutting was invented. Similarly, if China have the design for a good propeller, then they can build it even if the tool is inefficient at doing it. - at the end of the day, submarines are small batch production item.