OK; but in any way the availability of V/STOL could be crucial to a nation that does not have an operational carrier (yet).
Since PRC has al lot of naval issues to deal with (i.e.: Paracel, Spratly and Daiyou islands), extended vulnerable maritime supplylines; and as there are plenty of large second-rate PLAN ships available that could get a second life as V/STOL operating ship, the idea of a V/STOL aircraft "to bridge the gap" to the moment of availability of a number of oprational carriers seems a valid option.
Unless you would like to prefer dressing your neighbours and world opinion (bad for trade!) against you by building large military air & naval bases in disputed waters.
Just like a lonely airstrip, the mere availability of such an item (V/STOL) can be regarded as dissuative without actually be provocative.
