It had to happen eventually, I suppose:
The Hong-20 will also probably carry CJ-10K air-launched cruise missiles, have a range of 5,000 miles and a 10 ton payload, The War Zone reported.
Assuming it is fully stealth. Which China hasn't mastered yet.
But it seems a little odd that China, with its small nuclear arsenal, would task a nuclear-capable bomber with conventional war tasks very often.
And the cited range--assuming that it means combat radius rather than an actual straight-line capability--even with an air-launched cruise missile, is well out of range of Washington, DC. And maybe barely in range of San Francisco. See the site here.
But it could fly right over Moscow and drop iron bombs if it wanted to. Just sayin'.
Given that there are Chinese claims that might not remain dormant forever (promotion to a "core interest" is always possible!), China might want a better nuclear deterrent against a Russia that emphasizes nukes in defending its territory. Because there are limits to nuclear threats and two can play the deterrence game.
I'm just saying our carriers are probably lower down the priority list for that bomber. Russia should worry given how poorly Russian air defense systems seem to work against non-commercial airliners.
