I'd like to mention the oft-overlooked 30,000-ton LHD project that we believe is also under development.
I've seen rumors on the Chinese boards (supported by big shrimps) that the first of these flattops will enter construction some time in 2017, though this news is almost always overshadowed by developments on the bigger fleet carriers (e.g. 001A, 002).
Such a vessel would truly be in the "best" position to operate large helicopters such as the Z-18 and its variants, and other similar aircraft. Surface combatants and fleet carriers can focus on what they do best, while the LHD's would have the ASW role more than covered.
However, fgzfzy himself has acnowledged this project is shrouded in uncertainties:
3:小平顶开工可是最难的一个了,我算正式典礼的。3万多带坞,据说类似原西北风3万多那个方案,不是西北风,因为电梯那玩意鄙视西北风,2016该干嘛就干嘛鸟,正式开工典礼虽然不算太了解,但是17年是确定了,你们当已经开工了(号料切板)也行,当17年开工(正式典礼)也行。大山就不用说了,据说总共6条进步中,实际不知道。
Simply put, you can consider the LHD's to already be under construction steel-cutting-wise, or about to begin construction assembly-wise, or whatever else floats your boat. We don't know the exact stage of development, but what we do know is that by the end of 2017, it is certain to be under construction.
EDIT:
thread.