Along with a recant of the 075 prediction, pop3 also provided updates on 002:
First off, JNCX does not have an aircraft carrier under construction at the moment. Pop3 was very certain of this. He evem raised the possibility that 002 won't begin construction this year.
Supplementary to the above, stating the same thing; 002 hasn't begun. Pop3 is careful not to use "002" as that may be a classified designation. Instead, he maintains the usage of "domestic catapult carrier". He was asked why the situation with 002 deteriorated but he replied it never deteriorated, only that some leakers were overzealous previously.
Pop3 was prompted by someone pointing out that he had previously stated on HSH that a near-50k tonne LHD was going to begin construction but 001A was built instead. Additionally, he asked whether JNCX already had a 1600t crane fitted to no.4 basin, ready for carrier building. The first part of the question was more to ask about 075's status, whereupon pop3 said that there was an initial 48k tonne design that got revised to the current <40k tonne design. Additionally, 001A was not part of Project 048 early on but was instead initialised in 2009. The second part of the question regarding the 1600t crane, pop3 didn't address directly but stated that it was near definite that JNCX will construct carriers. However, work hasn't begun as
the technical design hasn't been finalised. He also hinted that a delay in technical design completion could only mean one thing. He didn't clarify what this "one thing" was, but I think we all know what it is. *wink wink*
In response to his revelation that 002's design hasn't been finalised, someone asked how that could be considering the multitude of rumours that claimed the opposite. Pop3 responded;
1) the technical design hasn't been completed,
2) the so-called "finalisation of design" is a faux jargon that was given by industry outsiders. A true finalisation of design would entail design certification which is given only after the design in question has been built, put into service, and used for a few years so that all its bugs and quirks are known. Right now, the 002 is still in the technical design stage, which is followed by the manufacturing design (or design for manufacture) stage, the latter of which can occur concurrent with parts and materials ordering.
To consolidate, I think the probability of our seeing the first 002 being built with EMALS is getting higher and higher. The "one thing" that pop3 says caused the delays in finishing the technical design is most likely the choice of catapult type.