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SCMP

What China’s military modernisation means for the world
As the People’s Liberation Army approaches its centenary, retired senior colonel Zhou Bo will delve into the critical geopolitical issues shaping our time. Moving beyond general headlines, this wide-ranging fireside chat is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of China’s evolving military capabilities, its strategic global footprint and what China’s military modernisation truly means for regional stability and international relations.
The discussion will be moderated by SCMP Editor-in-Chief Chow Chung-yan, steering a candid conversation on China’s military trajectory and what it means for global business, regional security, and the community here in Hong Kong.
Event details and access
Topic: The PLA at 99: What China’s Military Modernisation Means for the World
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Time: 3-5pm HKT
Venue: Beijing Room, 42/F, The Center, 99 Queen’s Road Central, Hong Kong
To join the event, you must be an SCMP Plus subscriber in Hong Kong. Secure your seat now by subscribing to a one-year or two-year SCMP Plus plan and ensure the promo code ZHOUBO is applied upon checkout. Confirmation email will be sent within three working days upon successful subscription.
For existing SCMP Plus and SCMP Standard Digital subscribers interested in attending the event, please contact support@scmp.com.
Attendees of this exclusive in-person event will also have the opportunity to submit questions in advance for Zhou Bo.
Event agenda
3-3.30pm: Registration and Coffee Networking
3.30-3.35pm: Welcome remarks from SCMP
3.35-4.30pm: Fireside chat with Zhou Bo moderated by Chow Chung-yan
4.30-5pm: Q&A and Networking
*Terms and conditions:

This offer is restricted to subscribers in Hong Kong and reservations are strictly allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.


For new subscribers, The promo code “ZHOUBO” must be applied during checkout to be valid for the SCMP Plus one-year and two-year plans (in Hong Kong currency). If the promo code is unavailable during checkout, the event quota is full. We will send you the confirmation by email within three working days upon successful purchase.


Existing Standard Digital subscribers must upgrade their subscription to either a one-year or two-year SCMP Plus subscription (note: both plans are without a free trial). Once upgraded, please contact support@scmp.com and we will send you an invitation to register for the event within three working days.


Each active subscription is eligible to reserve one seat only.

About Zhou Bo

Zhou Bo is a retired senior colonel in the People’s Liberation Army and a senior fellow at Tsinghua University’s Centre for International Security and Strategy. His military career included roles in the Ministry of National Defence’s Foreign Affairs Office and as a defence attaché. Zhou is the author of the recent book Should the World Fear China?
For our Open Questions interview with Zhou, published in August, click here.
About Chow Chung-yan

Chow Chung-yan started his journalistic career at SCMP, becoming the Editor-in-Chief in 2025. To strengthen the paper’s international coverage, he established operations in New York, Washington, Brussels and Nairobi. Since 2007, he has directed the SCMP’s China coverage, making it one of the most important sources of information on China for global readers. He initiated the Open Questions series for the world’s thought leaders to share their insights on critical global issues. In 2024, he designed and supervised SCMP Plus, which won a top prize at WAN-IFRA’s Digital Media Awards Worldwide.


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SCMP Plus exclusive: meet ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo in person

Announcements

The retired senior colonel and Tsinghua University senior fellow will feature in an exclusive in-person event for SCMP Plus subscribers in Hong Kong


The retired senior colonel and Tsinghua University senior fellow will feature in an exclusive in-person event for SCMP Plus subscribers in Hong Kong.


Hong Kong

China

Zhou Bo

SCMP Plus exclusive: meet ex-PLA colonel Zhou Bo in person

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The retired senior colonel and Tsinghua University senior fellow will feature in an exclusive in-person event for SCMP Plus subscribers in Hong Kong

What China’s military modernisation means for the world

Event details and access

The retired senior colonel and Tsinghua University senior fellow will feature in an exclusive in-person event for SCMP Plus subscribers in Hong Kong