I am not so bearish about the 056's future prospects.
They can, and will mostly operate independently within the 1st island chain. But for operations further out, they will be deployed as part of a task force. So their individual lack of AD and hanger space is going to be of minimal issue.
I can see 056s operating very well as the ASW surface component with future PLAN LHDs as the flagship of the task group, with a couple of 054s and an 052C/D providing the air cover.
The lack of hanger is a non-issue with the LHD housing the helicopters, and the 056s will act as mobile forward refuelling and rearming pads (while also packing a pretty comprehensive suit of ship based ASW gear itself to boot) to massively extend the fleet ASW helos' range while offering enemy subs a target they would be loathed to attack. Whereas they would be far more inclined to attack if it was an 054A or 052C/D that was acting as the outer ASW picket.
In highly contested theatres, even PLAN carrier groups would be massively boosted with an 056 contingent that could perform the same forward ASW screen role.
Thereby presenting enemy subs with a ship they would not want to trade a sub for, but which they could not afford to leave alive either even if they could sneak past it, which would be a hard ask in itself.
