I am surprised, considering the extensive rebuilding/reengineering the Chinese did do on this ship, that they did not choose to avoid the well-known problems attendant with high pressure steam (especially with Soviet designs) by installing the gas turbine/diesel electric combination being adopted for many modern warship designs.
Is it the case that a sufficiently large gas turbine/diesel electric combination simply is too large for the space that would be made available by removing the high pressure boilers and steam turbines?
GTs are great for the smaller tonnage up to cruiser size, but there’s more than just moving the ship involved.
Carrier loads vary a significant amount more than a standard surface combatant with elevators, aircraft applications, arresting gear, etc. Of course, we also use steam for our catapult systems so it is almost a requirement to go that route for us.
From a propulsion standpoint GTs can be more efficient, but for pushing sheer mass steam is a more appropriate choice given the tradeoffs. Our decision to go nuclear power for the carriers was one of the best strategic moves ever made in my insignificant opinion.