China's military

Beijing's goal to turn the People’s Liberation Army into a powerful fighting force
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Latest news, features and opinion on the military in China, including the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the development of warships, aircraft carriers and fighter jets, spending on the armed forces and reforms and modernisation. US-China and mainland-Taiwan military tensions and the deployment of China’s armed forces overseas are also covered.

Latest News
News
Military
State broadcaster CCTV aired footage of PLA troops conducting a drill aimed at seizing part of a war-torn city. Photo: Handout
Military
PLA holds urban warfare drill as Taipei looks to boost ‘asymmetric capabilities’
State television report showing operation in war-torn city airs soon after Taiwanese leader proposed extra US$40 billion in defence spending.
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The Hainan is China’s first 40,000-tonne landing helicopter dock and was commissioned in 2021. It has been leading a naval fleet in the Philippine Sea this week, triggering a response from Australia. Photo: Eugene Lee
Military
Australia on high alert as PLA Navy fleet in Philippine Sea sails south
Type 075 amphibious attack ship triggers concern in Canberra after Chinese navy’s unprecedented circumnavigation of Australia this year.
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The Moyujian’s next round of testing will be “a target test mission using satellite communication and beyond visual line of sight control, at an altitude of over 6,000 metres”. Photo: CCTV
Military
China’s unmanned Moyujian strike helicopter is ready for plateau combat tests
At Aero Asia in Zhuhai, developer says it put high-altitude drone with missiles through live-fire target tests above 4,000 metres.
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Military delegates walk in Tiananmen Square in Beijing as they arrive for a meeting of the National People’s Congress, China’s top legislature, on March 8. Photo: EPA-EFE
Military
Chinese military issues new rules to ‘prioritise strict political discipline’
Effective in January, latest revisions come amid Beijing’s anti-corruption campaign that has led to recent downfall of several top generals.
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Cadets from China and foreign militaries view a robot at the PLA Army Engineering University during the 12th International Army Cadets Week from November 3 to 9. Photo: Handout
Science
‘Real Steel’: PLA unveils motion-controlled combat robot to 13 countries
Chinese and foreign military cadets test bomb disposal robot using voice commands and discuss ethical boundaries of AI in war: state media.
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Chinese military aviation and shipbuilding companies in the Top 100 have seen increased revenues, while providers of ground-based arms on the list fared less well. Photo: Getty Images
Military
China’s scandal-hit arms firms drag down regional sales in record-breaking year
SIPRI Top 100 reveals stark divide in performance for the only region to record a drop in the midst of rising revenues globally.
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Beijing’s long-range rocket launchers can hit moving targets at sea as well as land, according to CCTV. Photo: CCTV
Military
Could the PLA use long-range rockets against ships in an attack on Taiwan?
State TV footage shows PHL-03 launchers hitting moving maritime targets during drill.
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US Typhon missile launchers were stationed in Japan as part of this year’s Exercise Resolute Dragon. Photo: Reuters
Military
What US-Japan military exercises can tell us about their Taiwan conflict plans
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent remarks started a major row with Beijing and shone a fresh spotlight on Japan’s strategic thinking.
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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Ex-PLA colonel on Taiwan, the Ukraine war, China-US ties
Zhou Bo ponders Japanese PM Takaichi’s recent remarks, lessons from the Ukraine conflict and why China won’t be world’s policeman.
William Lai’s government plans to introduce a US$40 billion (NT$1.25 trillion) special defence budget over the next eight years. Photo: EPA
Politics
Taiwan’s William Lai accused of stoking fear with 2027 countdown confusion
Critics question where the money will come from to finance Lai’s plans for a massive increase in military spending.
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In a white paper published on Thursday, China says it “has long exercised extreme restraint in the scale and development of its nuclear arsenal”. Photo: Xinhua
Military
China has minimal nuclear arsenal, seeks no arms race with US: white paper
Document criticises Trump’s planned Golden Dome system, saying it would ‘pose a serious threat to outer space security’.
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Illustration: Craig Stephens
World Opinion
Opinion|Why advances in conventional weapons tech should worry China, Russia and US
Washington, Beijing and Moscow must realise that rapid expansion of precision non-nuclear strike capabilities does not deter war, but instead invites miscalculation.
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While China’s state-owned defence conglomerates continue to dominate weapons development, private companies have increasingly entered the sector in recent years under the country’s military-civil fusion strategy. Photo: Handout
Military
China’s private defence companies see opportunities amid growing conflicts
Ukraine war and Kashmir conflict highlight ‘broad stage’ for firms to meet demand for affordable and reliable equipment, insiders say.
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An animation released by Lingkong Tianxing Technology shows eight missiles flying in formation towards Japan. Photo: Handout
Science
Chinese civilian firm starts mass production of Mach 7 missiles at low cost
Beijing-based Lingkong Tianxing Technology releases video showing the YKJ-1000 striking a target in a desert testing range.
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The PLA has widened pilot recruitment in the past few years to meet the needs of its rapidly expanding aircraft carrier fleet and air force. Photo: Xinhua
Military
China’s military eases physical requirements for pilots based on new cockpits
Changes have been made to height, weight and limb length criteria, taking into account factors like aircraft upgrades, PLA Daily says.
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Guo Wei has been detained by police. Photo: Handout
Science
Chief scientist at China’s top warship-building research institute detained
Jiangsu University of Science and Technology says it has fired Guo Wei over the accusations of academic misconduct.
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Models of China’s J-35A and J-10CE fighter jets on display at this year’s Dubai Air Show, which opened on Monday. Photo: Handout
Military
China-US-Russia rivalry for Middle East stealth fighter sales on show in Dubai
Analysts say China’s increasingly competitive J-35 is the one to watch among non-US allies as market splits on geopolitical lines.
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Photo: Shutterstock
Daily Pulse|China sees progress while US sees threat in industrial success
A US Congressional commission highlights advances made by China under an industrial programme, as well as laying out recommendations to curb national security risks.
During the May clash, Pakistan claimed to have shot down at least five Indian aircraft, including French-made Rafales, using Chinese-made J-10C jets. Photo: Handout
China
China leveraged India-Pakistan conflict to test military edge: US panel
Report says Beijing tested modern weapons in the May clash and promoted their performance to boost its defence sales worldwide.
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The Ark Silk Road operates under China’s People’s Liberation Army Navy. Photo: handout
China
Brazil approves China’s naval visit while US research ship plans call nearby
Clearance ends months of internal debate as both powers expand naval activity in South America.
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The Diaoyu Islands, known as the Senkakus in Japan, have long been a source of tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. Photo: Kyodo
Military
Will China ramp up military activity near Japan over Takaichi’s comments?
PLA activities near the disputed Diaoyus possible if tensions over Japanese leader’s Taiwan remarks escalate, analysts say.
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The USS Gerald R. Ford and a strike group have been deployed in the Caribbean. Photo: Handout
Diplomacy
China’s military mouthpiece hits out at US ‘gunboat diplomacy’ over Venezuela
Commentary in PLA Daily says Washington’s military build-up in the Caribbean is ‘trying to promote regime change’.
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The PLA Daily says the Liaoning aircraft carrier has conducted “train-as-you-fight” drills more than 10 times beyond the first island chain. Photo: Xinhua via AP
Military
China’s aircraft carriers put to ‘train-as-you-fight’ test beyond island chains
PLA Daily sheds new light on navy’s drills to increase launch frequency and far-sea combat readiness.
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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China Opinion
Opinion|How does China’s modernising navy stack up against the US seventh fleet?
Between what the US can sustain in the region vs what China can concentrate near its shores, the calculation increasingly favours Beijing.
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Alibaba Group Holding’s logo is seen at the company offices in Shanghai. Photo: EPA-EFE
Big Tech
Alibaba slams FT report on alleged PLA ties as ‘completely false’, ‘malicious’
The report appears to undermine the recent bilateral trade talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, Donald Trump.
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China’s first drone-carrying Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, on its maiden sea trial on Friday. Photo: Xinhua
Military
China’s first 076 ‘drone carrier’ amphibious assault ship begins sea trials
Extended flight deck makes Type 076 one of the world’s largest vessels of its kind, with PLA Navy delivery expected by end of 2026.
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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Military
How Xi’s ongoing battle against PLA corruption shapes China’s military future
The fight against graft in the armed forces is set to become one of the national priorities for the next five years.
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China’s new Type 004 aircraft carrier is under construction at the Dalian shipyard in the northeastern province of Liaoning. Photo: X/Tokcoslsp
Military
Images suggest China is building its first nuclear-powered carrier
War Zone report says hull of Type 004 being built in Dalian has what might be a reactor containment structure.
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Rear Admiral Ma Weiming, as he appeared in 2017 on state television advocating for China to develop an electromagnetic catapult system for its next aircraft carrier. Photo: CCTV
Military
Meet Ma Weiming, the Chinese naval genius behind the Fujian’s catapult
Ma, father of the carrier’s electromagnetic launch system, is among a select few at the vessel’s commissioning ceremony.
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Socialist Unity Centre of India activists burn an effigy of US President Donald Trump at a rally to mark the 80th anniversary of the world’s first atomic bomb attack, on Hiroshima at the end of WWII, in Kolkata on August 6. Photo: AFP
World Opinion
Opinion|Trump’s nuclear turn risks upsetting fragile global strategic balance
US president may have wanted to project strength, but nuclear weapons testing could further isolate America and spark a new cold war.
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Opinion
Editorial|New Fujian carrier shows China’s tech prowess, commitment to peace
China’s third aircraft carrier offers further proof that the country is a force to reckon with in research and defence.
SCMP Editorial
Asian Angle|When aggressors forget: how historical amnesia fuels US-China conflict
The West’s selective memory fails to recognise China’s resolve never to be bullied again. Singapore can help correct this narrative.
Walter Woon
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Editorial|A July 1 with much to celebrate for both Hong Kong and the nation
Global recognition of Hong Kong’s recent strides in sectors from finance to education is the fruit of its increasing integration with the mainland.
SCMP Editorial
Editorial|China’s ban on military-use exports a good start
Rare move to halt supply of such materials and tools by China deserves recognition given the geopolitical context of tensions with the US and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
SCMP Editorial
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Asian Angle|Will China’s military drills with Southeast Asian nations reduce trust deficit?
China’s ‘Peace and Friendship’ drills with five Asean member states is further evidence of Beijing’s move towards multilateral defence cooperation.
Ian Storey
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Editorial|Resumption of US-China talks on nuclear arms is a step in right direction
Meeting between China and the US is not only about avoiding doomsday, but a show of joint leadership that can bring a troubled world to a better place.
SCMP Editorial
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My Take|How Washington fought off the great Chinese balloon invasion
If the US needed millions of dollars to shoot down a couple of hobbyist balloons, a trillion-dollar military budget is not enough to fight China.
SCMP ColumnistAlex Lo
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My Take|A militarised belt and road? The West’s threat inflation is ridiculous
Western military fabulists now warn that China may be expanding naval bases around the world faster than you can count aloud.
SCMP ColumnistAlex Lo
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As I see it|Why China should take a leaf out of Washington’s defence transparency playbook
Some experts say China should – like some other nations – aspire to a standard where it makes clear the intent behind its military strategy and defence procurement plans.
Su-Lin Tan
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My Take|UK foreign chief’s claim about China’s military build-up borders on the absurd
As Beijing hasn’t fought a major war since its 1980s reforms, any budget increase could be described as ‘the biggest military build-up in peacetime history’.
SCMP ColumnistAlex Lo
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Inside Out|Global arms race is diverting funds from health and climate spending
Alongside calls for more military spending, there are demands to address climate change and rebuild health systems even as governments struggle with record debt levels. A series of squeezes are set to cut deep into spending that is best directed elsewhere.
David Dodwell
Outside In|The world can’t afford the catastrophe of a mainland attack on Taiwan
As tensions rise in the Taiwan Strait, analysts predict a global economic and political disaster in case of an attack. To ensure the possibility of forced reunification remains slim, moderate voices are needed urgently.
David Dodwell
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