I saw this on the internet earlier this week referring to the new build of Frigates for the PLAN........don't know if there is any truth in it, but it does raise one or two interesting aspects.
"Back in 2018 it was rumoured that 054B was planned, but in 2019, another rumour came out that the 054B has been delayed a bit due to its one crucial handicap, that is, its speed is too slow to keep up with the carrier fleet. And then in 2020 there was a conflicting rumour that another batch of 054 was going to be built, some say it would be the same 054A but others claimed it would be the newer version. Then it was said that the order was for 054A. Then the news broke, back in December 2020, that the new, much higher efficient version of vessel propulsion engine has been developed and tested. Then on January, another rumour emerged which says that China is on the process to convert its surface fleet to pump jet, instead of propeller, using electrical pumps, instead of the old piston and crankshaft version. It was rumoured that the 3rd 075 vessel was built as the first trial, using this concept, then followed by the new batch of 054 would be 054Bs, based on the same technology, which, reportedly, can travel much faster and quieter than ever before. It was also rumoured that using this new design, more rooms would be made available inside the vessel, that would mean more places for missiles and other compartments".