A media outlet affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party has published an article hinting at the launch of a third Chinese naval aircraft carrier later this year.

The Global Times published the article on Saturday, the 73rd anniversary of the formation of the Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy.

It referred to a promotional video released by the navy on the progress of China's aircraft carrier program.

The video shows pilots and crew at work and outlines the progress the navy has made in the decade since it deployed its first carrier, the Liaoning, in 2012.

At the end of the video, a naval officer calls his mother to tell her that a "third child" is on the way. On the wall behind him are pictures of China's first and second aircraft carriers.

The article cites experts as saying the new carrier will be equipped with a device called an electromagnetic catapult, which will allow aircraft to accelerate and take off from the vessel. The other carriers do not have this ability.

China has been building up its naval capabilities as part of its goal of creating a world-class military by the middle of the century.

The apparent plan of introducing a new aircraft carrier this year is also believed to be part of a strategy to underscore the authority of President Xi Jinping. Xi will seek an unprecedented third term as leader at the party congress scheduled for later this year.