https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/rss/522540/feed The latest news and top stories on the People’s Liberation Army. A prominent Beijing-based governmental body, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the unified military organisation of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party. Its primary mission involves defending national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the Party’s interests, alongside protecting overseas interests and promoting global peace. The PLA, comprising ground, naval, air, rocket, aerospace, cyberspace and... en https://assets-v2.i-scmp.com/production/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg Gaurav Kumar Gaurav Kumar Chinese President Xi Jinping has met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi three times in the past three years. Indian pilgrims are back at Kailash, the Tibetan mountain sacred to Hindus and Buddhists. Air China has restarted flights to New Delhi. But can trust grow between two armies that meet only in a crisis? And why does the Pentagon now talk to the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) more easily than India’s army does? In September, Xi made his first visit to India in nearly seven years; Beijing... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3370226/despite-china-india-thaw-military-relations-are-stuck-2020 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/asia-opinion/article/3370226/despite-china-india-thaw-military-relations-are-stuck-2020 Sun, 11 Oct 2026 21:30:05 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen Beijing has reinforced its military firepower facing the Taiwan Strait by deploying more 155mm PLZ-05 self-propelled howitzers, according to state media reports. Replacing its older 122mm artillery, a heavy combined-arms brigade under the People’s Liberation Army’s 71st Group Army has been equipped with a batch of the 155mm self-propelled howitzers over the past two months and conducted its first live-fire test of the weapons, state broadcaster CCTV reported on Sunday. The 71st Group Army... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3366928/beijing-boosts-taiwan-facing-firepower-brigade-level-155mm-howitzer-deployment https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3366928/beijing-boosts-taiwan-facing-firepower-brigade-level-155mm-howitzer-deployment Wed, 09 Sep 2026 13:00:06 +0000 Brian Wong Brian Wong A Hong Kong court has ordered the defunct Apple Daily newspaper to pay HK$1.5 million (US$191,200) in damages to a listed company and two senior executives over 10 defamatory articles that accused them of spying on the city’s pro-democracy activists at Beijing’s behest. In a written judgment delivered on Tuesday, the High Court ruled against former media boss Jimmy Lai Chee-ying’s flagship publication after the outlet – taken over by liquidators following a government petition in 2021 –... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3364459/hong-kong-court-orders-defunct-apple-daily-pay-hk15-million-over-defamatory-articles https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3364459/hong-kong-court-orders-defunct-apple-daily-pay-hk15-million-over-defamatory-articles Tue, 18 Aug 2026 12:24:47 +0000 Kate Chan Kate Chan Wilson Hui Chau-yuen, a 22-year-old final-year student at Hong Kong Metropolitan University, recalls that the scorching heat was the biggest enemy during an annual two-week summer camp organised by the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) garrison. “Even on the city’s hottest day, our training continued without pause including martial arts, bayonet practice and marching drills,” Hui said on Sunday, adding that he hoped to join Hong Kong’s disciplined services in the future. The Hong Kong Observatory... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3364196/500-pla-summer-camp-cadets-battle-heat-they-step-out-their-comfort-zone https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3364196/500-pla-summer-camp-cadets-battle-heat-they-step-out-their-comfort-zone Sun, 16 Aug 2026 11:34:20 +0000 Lawrence Chung Lawrence Chung Taiwan will begin its annual war games on Wednesday, testing for the first time its ability to counter a People’s Liberation Army (PLA) maritime blockade in the western Pacific during the 10-day exercise. The 42nd edition of the Han Kuang exercise, the island’s largest annual military drill, will incorporate US military planning practices to improve coordination and mission command. It will also test the wartime relocation of weapons production lines to safer locations as Taiwan seeks to... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3362965/how-taiwan-preparing-pla-sea-blockade-its-biggest-war-games https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3362965/how-taiwan-preparing-pla-sea-blockade-its-biggest-war-games Tue, 04 Aug 2026 14:00:26 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma The Hong Kong garrison of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) celebrated the 99th anniversary of the military’s founding on Saturday with a reception at the barracks on Stonecutters Island, with a top officer pledging to expand its role in promoting patriotic and defence education across the city. Speaking at the reception at the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks, garrison political commissar Rear Admiral Lai Ruxin said troops would resolutely obey the command of the Communist Party of China, while... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3362650/hong-kong-garrison-holds-reception-marking-99th-anniversary-plas-founding https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3362650/hong-kong-garrison-holds-reception-marking-99th-anniversary-plas-founding Sat, 01 Aug 2026 13:05:03 +0000 https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/series/3362451/pla-99th-anniversary https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/series/3362451/pla-99th-anniversary Thu, 30 Jul 2026 22:36:13 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen As the People’s Liberation Army marks its 99th anniversary on August 1, one year from the deadline for its centenary goals, its evolution highlights the past, present and future of China’s military strategy. In the first part of a series, Liu Zhen examines how the PLA’s strategies have developed from guerrilla warfare to hi-tech conflict. In April 1932, Xi Zhongxun, 18, led the newly formed Fifth Detachment of the Red Army’s Shaanxi-Gansu Guerrilla Force marching in the mountains in Yongshou... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3362403/pla-99-how-chinas-military-went-ragtag-rifles-world-class-force https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3362403/pla-99-how-chinas-military-went-ragtag-rifles-world-class-force Thu, 30 Jul 2026 22:00:08 +0000 Jess Ma,Ng Kang-chung,Benjamin Fuller Jess Ma,Ng Kang-chung,Benjamin Fuller Two PLA warships departed Hong Kong on Monday morning, concluding a high-profile five-day port call with a ceremony at the naval base on Stonecutters Island. Dozens of residents and visitors lined waterfront areas for a final glimpse of the guided-missile destroyer Nanning and the guided-missile frigate Hengyang as they sailed through Victoria Harbour and the Tathong Channel in eastern waters. Speaking amid heavy rain at the send-off ceremony, Chief Secretary Eric Chan Kwok-ki expressed... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3359522/i-didnt-want-miss-it-hongkongers-see-pla-warships-after-5-day-port-call https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3359522/i-didnt-want-miss-it-hongkongers-see-pla-warships-after-5-day-port-call Mon, 06 Jul 2026 03:47:12 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial The PLA Navy’s growing profile on the high seas enhances a sense of security during troubled times. In peaceful times, a friendly port call by modern Chinese warships can enhance a sense of patriotism and pride. A case in point has been the goodwill visit to Hong Kong by the guided-missile frigate Hengyang and the guided-missile destroyer Nanning as part of celebrations marking the 29th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule. Spectators lined the harbourfront to welcome the two... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3359449/pla-warships-hong-kong-port-call-highlights-nations-support https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3359449/pla-warships-hong-kong-port-call-highlights-nations-support Sun, 05 Jul 2026 23:15:12 +0000 Jess Ma,Kate Chan,Benjamin Fuller Jess Ma,Kate Chan,Benjamin Fuller Residents and tourists flocked to Hong Kong’s harbourfront on Thursday to welcome two PLA Navy vessels on a five-day port call as part of celebrations marking the 29th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule. The guided-missile frigate Hengyang and the guided-missile destroyer Nanning sailed into Hong Kong via Lei Yue Mun and Victoria Harbour in the morning, arriving at Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks at 9am and 9.40am, respectively. A People’s Liberation Army (PLA) band played celebratory... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3359093/residents-visitors-flock-waterfront-pla-navy-ships-sail-hong-kong https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3359093/residents-visitors-flock-waterfront-pla-navy-ships-sail-hong-kong Thu, 02 Jul 2026 01:29:06 +0000 Fiona Sun,Wynna Wong Fiona Sun,Wynna Wong Hongkongers have snapped up the first batches of free tickets to visit two PLA naval ships within minutes of their release for a weekend port call in the city. A South China Morning Post reporter observed that the initial batch was gone within four minutes after being released at 10am on Tuesday. The second round of tickets, released at 3pm, and the third batch, released at 8pm, were both snatched up in six minutes. Demand remained intense even for the batch of tickets released at 8pm, with... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3358836/hong-kongs-first-batch-free-pla-ship-tour-tickets-gone-within-4-minutes https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3358836/hong-kongs-first-batch-free-pla-ship-tour-tickets-gone-within-4-minutes Tue, 30 Jun 2026 03:27:21 +0000 Lo Hoi-ying Lo Hoi-ying Two People’s Liberation Army (PLA) naval vessels are set to visit Hong Kong for a five-day port call from July 2, during which residents will be able to board them and take part in cultural exchange activities. China’s Ministry of National Defence said on Monday that a PLA naval task group would visit Hong Kong waters from Thursday to next Monday to mark the 29th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty. The guided-missile destroyer Nanning and the guided-missile frigate Hengyang... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3358785/2-pla-navy-ships-visit-hong-kong-5-day-port-call https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3358785/2-pla-navy-ships-visit-hong-kong-5-day-port-call Mon, 29 Jun 2026 12:11:10 +0000 Ambrose Li Ambrose Li Thousands of residents have braved the scorching heat to watch helicopter demonstrations and try out military equipment at a PLA airbase near Hong Kong’s border with mainland China. Military enthusiast Kin Man arrived at Shek Kong barracks with his mother from Tai Po more than an hour before the 9am opening on Saturday. They were among the first ticket holders in the queue for the open day, part of celebrations marking the 29th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese sovereignty on July... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3358594/thousands-flock-pla-airbase-amid-hong-kong-handover-celebrations https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3358594/thousands-flock-pla-airbase-amid-hong-kong-handover-celebrations Sat, 27 Jun 2026 07:32:20 +0000 Albee Zhang Albee Zhang The People’s Liberation Army’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian Type 003, transited the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, a day after Taipei launched a combat readiness exercise. Song Zhongping, a military commentator and former PLA instructor, said the Fujian could be heading back to its home port in the southern island province of Hainan for a break before it headed out to the South China Sea for more training. Taiwan’s armed forces closely monitored the vessel throughout its passage using... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3358227/plas-advanced-aircraft-carrier-fujian-transits-taiwan-strait-amid-military-drills https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3358227/plas-advanced-aircraft-carrier-fujian-transits-taiwan-strait-amid-military-drills Wed, 24 Jun 2026 14:00:06 +0000 Fiona Sun Fiona Sun Thousands of residents have flocked to the PLA barracks on Hong Kong’s Stonecutters Island as part of celebrations marking the 29th anniversary of the city’s return to Chinese rule on July 1, with many drawn by the display of military equipment and skills. The Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks opened to visitors at 9am on Saturday, with hundreds of people queuing early. Among them were families with young children, students and older residents, including Jennifer Shao Xia and her 16-year-old son Harry... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3357764/thousands-visit-pla-barracks-hong-kong-celebrate-citys-return-chinese-rule https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3357764/thousands-visit-pla-barracks-hong-kong-celebrate-citys-return-chinese-rule Sat, 20 Jun 2026 06:25:16 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen As China marks the 20th anniversary of completing its first domestically developed high-thrust turbofan engine for fighter jets, the WS-10 – Woshan-10, meaning Turbofan-10 – continues its crucial role in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The WS-10 turbofan engine was code-named Taihang after the famous Chinese mountain range. The Taihang engine family serves as the backbone of the PLA’s major active combat fighters, powering fourth-generation jets such as the J-10C, the J-11B, the air force’s... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3355472/how-chinas-home-grown-ws-10-engine-helped-make-country-modern-air-power https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3355472/how-chinas-home-grown-ws-10-engine-helped-make-country-modern-air-power Sun, 31 May 2026 14:00:10 +0000 Albee Zhang Albee Zhang China’s military mouthpiece has issued a rare warning that personnel may be insufficiently trained to operate new weapons, including unmanned systems, despite Beijing’s rapid advances in hardware. Some military units showed a low level of integration between personnel and equipment, Monday’s PLA Daily article cautioned, highlighting limited trust in systems and weak coordination between human operators and technology. It warned that without proper integration, “even advanced equipment may fail... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3353974/can-pla-training-catch-chinas-rapid-weapon-development https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3353974/can-pla-training-catch-chinas-rapid-weapon-development Tue, 19 May 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Jane Cai Jane Cai Three People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships were spotted transiting the Tsushima Strait en route to the East China Sea last week, as Tokyo closely tracks such passages amid heightened regional tensions. The vessels were two Type 055 guided-missile destroyers and a Type 052D destroyer, according to Japan’s Ministry of Defence and Self-Defence Forces on Saturday. The ministry said the Japanese force’s JS Ootaka conducted “alert surveillance and intelligence gathering” on the Chinese... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3352919/are-china-and-russia-flexing-their-maritime-muscle-near-japan https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3352919/are-china-and-russia-flexing-their-maritime-muscle-near-japan Fri, 08 May 2026 11:00:06 +0000 Lucy Quaggin,Xinmei Shen Lucy Quaggin,Xinmei Shen The CIA released a provocative recruitment video on Thursday targeting Chinese military officers, a move that exposes the underlying tensions threatening a fragile calm in US-China relations ahead of April’s highly anticipated meeting between the two countries’ leaders. The release of the recruitment video comes on the same day US President Donald Trump boasted about his “very good relationship” with China. It is likely to draw the ire of Beijing in the lead-up to the key diplomatic meeting with... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3343381/cia-post-new-video-recruit-chinese-military-officers-informants https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/diplomacy/article/3343381/cia-post-new-video-recruit-chinese-military-officers-informants Thu, 12 Feb 2026 19:39:09 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang China has deployed a section of its mysterious cyberspace force to the South China Sea to remain “ready for action”, with the unit making a rare appearance in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Lunar New Year greeting to the military. Xi conveyed his Lunar New Year message to multiple branches of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) via video on Wednesday from Beijing’s Bayi Building – the headquarters of the powerful military command body, the Central Military Commission – according to state... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3343312/xis-new-year-message-military-reveals-pla-cyberspace-force-post-south-china-sea https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3343312/xis-new-year-message-military-reveals-pla-cyberspace-force-post-south-china-sea Thu, 12 Feb 2026 12:00:12 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang A Chinese defence giant has flexed its production muscle early in the new year by releasing a video of its star product, the J-35 stealth fighter, and pledging to double its warplane production over the next three to five years. On Tuesday, a green-coated J-35 fighter roared down the runway at the Shenyang Aircraft Corporation (SAC) airfield in China’s northern Liaoning province, making its first flight of the year, according to a video released by the manufacturer, a subsidiary of Aviation... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3339315/chinas-j-35-jet-maker-flexes-production-muscle-pledging-double-output-5-years https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3339315/chinas-j-35-jet-maker-flexes-production-muscle-pledging-double-output-5-years Fri, 09 Jan 2026 10:00:35 +0000 Rob York Rob York The US decision to raid Venezuela, detain its President Nicolas Maduro and bring him to the United States, ostensibly on drug trafficking charges, will have serious downstream effects, but of what variety? US President Donald Trump has already sent ominous warnings to other Latin American countries whose leaders oppose all or parts of his agenda – from Colombia to Cuba to Mexico – and threatened Maduro’s successor with similar, or worse, treatment if she does not cooperate. Does this suggest... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3338997/why-us-move-against-maduro-unlikely-drive-china-latin-america https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/world-opinion/article/3338997/why-us-move-against-maduro-unlikely-drive-china-latin-america Thu, 08 Jan 2026 12:30:10 +0000 Shi Jiangtao Shi Jiangtao 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? SCMP Plus readers get early access to articles in the Open Questions series. This article will be available to regular SCMP subscribers next... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/article/3334347/ex-pla-colonel-taiwan-question-ukraine-war-china-us-ties https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/article/3334347/ex-pla-colonel-taiwan-question-ukraine-war-china-us-ties Fri, 28 Nov 2025 02:00:13 +0000 Sophie Wushuang Yi Sophie Wushuang Yi When President Xi Jinping commissioned the Fujian on November 5, China became only the second nation to have an aircraft carrier with an electromagnetic catapult system. It is also notable that, last month, two navy aircraft from the USS Nimitz crashed into the South China Sea. These events crystallise a strategic reality often obscured by aggregate force comparisons: the relevant naval balance is not between the 11 US aircraft carriers and China’s three, but between what the United States can... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3332517/south-china-sea-how-third-pla-navy-aircraft-carrier-changes-dynamics-us https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/china-opinion/article/3332517/south-china-sea-how-third-pla-navy-aircraft-carrier-changes-dynamics-us Sun, 16 Nov 2025 12:30:10 +0000 Coco Feng Coco Feng Alibaba Group Holding on Saturday dismissed a Financial Times report alleging its connection with the Chinese military and questioned if the accusation was an attempt to sabotage US President Donald Trump’s recent deal with Beijing. The report said Alibaba was supplying the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) with unspecified capabilities that the White House claimed would threaten US national security, citing a memo that included declassified top-secret intelligence. “The assertions and innuendos in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3332911/alibaba-condemns-ft-report-firms-alleged-pla-ties-completely-false-malicious https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/tech/big-tech/article/3332911/alibaba-condemns-ft-report-firms-alleged-pla-ties-completely-false-malicious Sat, 15 Nov 2025 05:50:33 +0000 Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma Brian Rhoads,Raymond Ma The Fujian, China’s recently commissioned third aircraft carrier, has started a period of intense training and combat-capability building as Beijing begins to challenge the US Navy’s dominance of the Pacific Ocean (See SCMP Plus Factsheet). Testing of operations and equipment would be the key focus, along with building up a full-strength deployment of aircraft, Captain Chen Zhiguo told state broadcaster CCTV on Saturday. The vessel may be able to carry 40 fixed-wing aircraft, according to the US... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/article/3332196/chinas-pacific-power-takes-strategic-leap-new-carrier https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/plus/article/3332196/chinas-pacific-power-takes-strategic-leap-new-carrier Mon, 10 Nov 2025 09:03:32 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg The US military is close to fielding two new weapons designed to temporally jam Chinese and Russian intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance satellites, giving the Pentagon three counter-space capabilities, according to new Space Force data. The weapons, called Meadowlands and Remote Sensing Terminals, will join a larger and less mobile “Counter Communications System” jammer – an upgraded big dish that was declared operational in 2020. The fresh systems will be dispersed worldwide and... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331538/us-space-force-use-3-weapons-jam-chinese-satellites-remote-control https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/world/united-states-canada/article/3331538/us-space-force-use-3-weapons-jam-chinese-satellites-remote-control Tue, 04 Nov 2025 17:16:33 +0000 Amber Wang Amber Wang The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has refrained from conducting a large-scale drill near Taiwan following its leader’s annual policy speech – an address seen as less provocative than last year’s, which drew sabre-rattling from Beijing. Figures released by Taiwan’s defence ministry showed there was no increase in the number of PLA warplanes and warships detected near the island following William Lai Ching-te’s Double Tenth address on October 10. According to the Taiwanese figures, the PLA... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3329578/no-major-pla-activities-near-taiwan-after-troublemaker-william-lais-policy-speech https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3329578/no-major-pla-activities-near-taiwan-after-troublemaker-william-lais-policy-speech Sun, 19 Oct 2025 14:00:10 +0000 William Zheng William Zheng The Chinese public has come out in force to pay tribute to Communist Party undercover agents who perished during the 1940s civil war, inspired by a television drama that gained a passionate following and sparked an outpouring of praise. The fervour centres on Silent Honour, the first mainland TV series to chronicle the Communist Party’s espionage activities in Taiwan in the war’s final months. It was when one of the party’s major intelligence operations was systematically crushed by the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3329472/popular-chinese-spy-drama-silent-honour-inspires-outpouring-praise-real-life-agents https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/politics/article/3329472/popular-chinese-spy-drama-silent-honour-inspires-outpouring-praise-real-life-agents Sat, 18 Oct 2025 02:00:11 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang A Chinese J-16 fighter that locked onto two foreign warplanes – believed to be American F-22s – before escorting them out of the country’s air defence identification zone highlighted the People’s Liberation Army’s “integrated combat capabilities”, military analysts have said. The incident came to light in a report aired by state broadcaster CCTV earlier this month. It said that the fighter had expelled two foreign aircraft last year and they had not been seen in the area since then. Yue Gang, a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3329375/china-showed-integrated-combat-capabilities-locking-us-fifth-generation-jets https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3329375/china-showed-integrated-combat-capabilities-locking-us-fifth-generation-jets Fri, 17 Oct 2025 10:00:19 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen A People’s Liberation Army landing barge believed to be intended specifically for military operations near Taiwan has been spotted on the move, according to a video posted on Chinese social media. The video, which surfaced on the internet on Monday, shows the self-elevating jack-up barge sailing in an unidentified body of water with its road ramp and signature eight struts raised. While the date and location of the video are unknown, mountains and other vessels are visible in the background,... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3329230/pla-navys-taiwan-focused-landing-barge-spotted-sea-destination-unknown https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3329230/pla-navys-taiwan-focused-landing-barge-spotted-sea-destination-unknown Thu, 16 Oct 2025 12:00:13 +0000 Jane Cai Jane Cai China is harnessing an ancient mental calculation technique to train soldiers as “human abacuses” for high-stakes combat scenarios where advanced technology might fail. The initiative reflects China’s strategic push to blend traditional methods, such as the abacus and paper-based calculations, with modern warfare tactics. As an example of the approach, CCTV highlighted the feats of Captain Xu Meiduo, a stand-out in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) land forces. The state broadcaster showed a... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3328943/how-chinese-military-uses-human-abacuses-counter-smart-device-failures https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3328943/how-chinese-military-uses-human-abacuses-counter-smart-device-failures Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:00:09 +0000 SCMP SCMP Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. China’s exports defy expectations in September under weight of trade war uncertainty China’s exports rebounded in September after hitting a six-month low in August, supported by recovering overseas demand and front-loading ahead of the “super golden week” holiday – though the latest flare-up with the United States over the weekend has renewed uncertainty... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/article/3328851/chinas-exports-defy-expectations-military-mouthpieces-pla-vow-scmp-daily-highlights https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/article/3328851/chinas-exports-defy-expectations-military-mouthpieces-pla-vow-scmp-daily-highlights Mon, 13 Oct 2025 13:30:07 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang China’s military mouthpiece has called for greater efforts to address what it says are deficiencies in the People’s Liberation Army’s integrated joint operational capabilities. In a commentary on Monday, the PLA Daily said China’s military had yet to achieve a “deep integration” of “equipment, battlefields, personnel and training conditions”, which was causing shortcomings in joint operations. To overcome such weaknesses, PLA commanders at all levels should “systematically strengthen the... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3328826/deep-integration-chinese-military-will-overcome-its-weaknesses-pla-mouthpiece https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3328826/deep-integration-chinese-military-will-overcome-its-weaknesses-pla-mouthpiece Mon, 13 Oct 2025 10:17:16 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen China’s small arms – less conspicuous than its cutting-edge fighter jets but just as significant – are undergoing a major transformation. The QBZ-191 assault rifle, designed to eventually replace the People’s Liberation Army’s long-serving QBZ-95 family, reflects China’s commitment to boosting combat effectiveness to meet the demands of future conflicts. Designated among the Type 20 rifle family, the firearm made its public debut during the 2019 National Day parade in Beijing. The full family –... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3328706/qbz-191-assault-rifle-gives-chinese-small-arms-tactical-and-export-edge https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3328706/qbz-191-assault-rifle-gives-chinese-small-arms-tactical-and-export-edge Mon, 13 Oct 2025 06:00:11 +0000 Zhao Ziwen Zhao Ziwen The People’s Liberation Army said on Wednesday it would carry out a joint drill with Malaysia around the South China Sea next week, announcing the manoeuvres a day after the Philippine and Japanese air forces began a joint exercise over the disputed waters. This year’s joint drill, Aman Youyi-2025, is the sixth time the exercise has been held, with the first taking place in 2014. According to the PLA’s Southern Theatre Command, more than 1,000 personnel will take part, with equipment including... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3328244/pla-announces-south-china-sea-drill-malaysia-japan-philippines-exercise-begins https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3328244/pla-announces-south-china-sea-drill-malaysia-japan-philippines-exercise-begins Wed, 08 Oct 2025 10:16:40 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang A Chinese military journal has described the People’s Liberation Army’s latest underwater unmanned systems as “disruptive” and highlighted their intelligent capabilities. According to Ordnance Industry Science Technology, the unmanned submersibles showcased during the large-scale military parade held in Beijing on September 3 possessed “zero-radius turning manoeuvrability”, enabling them to “operate with ease in complex maritime environments”. An author writing in the journal’s latest issue... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3327870/chinese-militarys-new-underwater-unmanned-systems-are-disruptive-intelligent-journal https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3327870/chinese-militarys-new-underwater-unmanned-systems-are-disruptive-intelligent-journal Sat, 04 Oct 2025 14:00:08 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim China has disclosed an incident last year in which one of its J-16 aircraft locked onto and expelled two unnamed foreign stealth fighter jets of a type that has not appeared near the country’s coastal waters since. State broadcaster CCTV on Friday aired an interview with Li Chao, a pilot from the People’s Liberation Army’s Western Theatre Command, who recounted the event that happened during a coastal training exercise last year. Without naming any country, Li said the foreign forces had “clear... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3327874/chinas-j-16-aircraft-expelled-2-foreign-stealth-fighter-jets-last-year-report https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3327874/chinas-j-16-aircraft-expelled-2-foreign-stealth-fighter-jets-last-year-report Sat, 04 Oct 2025 13:00:07 +0000 Dewey Sim Dewey Sim Beijing has built more structures resembling Taiwan’s key government buildings at its military base in Inner Mongolia, according to satellite images obtained by a Japanese think tank, a move that suggests more systematic training for a potential conflict across the strait. Sankei Shimbun, a right-leaning Japanese newspaper, reported that an analysis of satellite images obtained on Wednesday by the Japan Institute for National Fundamentals found that the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3327667/more-mock-taiwan-government-buildings-spotted-mainland-chinese-military-base https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3327667/more-mock-taiwan-government-buildings-spotted-mainland-chinese-military-base Fri, 03 Oct 2025 04:00:11 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Sailors from two visiting PLA naval vessels have shown their softer side by sharing their experiences touring Hong Kong during the National Day celebrations and revealing how the city’s pop culture has influenced them. Thousands of residents also headed to Stonecutters Island to board the training vessel Qi Jiguang and amphibious assault ship Yimeng Shan on Thursday, the final day they were open to members of the public able to secure one of the 11,000 tickets the People’s Liberation Army gave... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327612/stephen-chow-films-beyond-hits-pla-sailors-share-hong-kong-affinity https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327612/stephen-chow-films-beyond-hits-pla-sailors-share-hong-kong-affinity Thu, 02 Oct 2025 07:34:34 +0000 SCMP Editorial SCMP Editorial China is justifiably proud of its accomplishments over the past three-quarters of a century, having evolved from a newly established republic in 1949 to one of the world’s leading powers and economies today. The deep sense of pride and achievement also resonated widely in Hong Kong as it celebrated National Day yesterday, although with mixed optimism and many challenges ahead. The celebration activities, including the firework display over Victoria Harbour and the four-day port visit of two... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3327521/hong-kong-marks-national-day-hope-amid-challenges https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/opinion/comment/article/3327521/hong-kong-marks-national-day-hope-amid-challenges Wed, 01 Oct 2025 22:45:07 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Hundreds of thousands of spectators packed Hong Kong’s harbourfront for a fireworks display on National Day, capping off celebrations that included an open day at PLA naval ships and visitors descending upon the city for shopping, sightseeing and hiking. Police said 344,000 people packed both sides of Victoria Harbour to watch the 23-minute display on Wednesday, the local highlight of the first day of mainland China’s “golden week” holiday. The Immigration Department recorded a net inflow of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327548/hong-kong-marks-national-day-fireworks-naval-ship-tours-and-horseraces https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327548/hong-kong-marks-national-day-fireworks-naval-ship-tours-and-horseraces Wed, 01 Oct 2025 14:04:52 +0000 Leopold Chen Leopold Chen Scores of Hong Kong residents set off at dawn to visit two People’s Liberation Army naval ships anchored at Stonecutters Island as part of the National Day celebrations on Wednesday, while military college students savoured the city’s street food and admired its skyline. Training vessel Qi Jiguang and amphibious assault ship Yimeng Shan, harboured at the island’s naval base, were opened up to 11,000 residents who secured free tickets given out by the PLA over the weekend. More than 30 people... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327513/hongkongers-tour-pla-naval-ships-trainees-sample-local-delicacies https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3327513/hongkongers-tour-pla-naval-ships-trainees-sample-local-delicacies Wed, 01 Oct 2025 09:03:43 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Hong Kong has started its National Day celebrations with an upbeat message from President Xi Jinping, two visiting PLA warships thrilling onlookers in Victoria Harbour and the restaurant sector betting on a business bump of up to 20 per cent during the extra-long “golden week” holiday. In a speech in Beijing on Tuesday to celebrate the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, Xi called on the nation to keep on working hard and to forge ahead with determination in... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3327438/hong-kong-gears-national-day-celebrations-xi-delivers-upbeat-message https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3327438/hong-kong-gears-national-day-celebrations-xi-delivers-upbeat-message Tue, 30 Sep 2025 15:36:01 +0000 Cannix Yau Cannix Yau Hong Kong kicked off National Day “golden week” celebrations on Tuesday with two People’s Liberation Army (PLA) warships thrilling onlookers at Victoria Harbour and the catering sector betting on a business bump of up to 20 per cent amid a raft of festivities in the city. Michael Leung Chun-wah, chairman of the Association for Hong Kong Catering Services Management, gave the upbeat forecast as about 4,000 restaurants – the highest number in three years – joined its campaign to offer a 30 per... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3327420/hong-kong-caterers-eye-20-sales-bump-national-day-festivities-kick https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3327420/hong-kong-caterers-eye-20-sales-bump-national-day-festivities-kick Tue, 30 Sep 2025 12:02:33 +0000 Matthew Cheng,Harvey Kong,Emily Hung,Jiang Chuqin,Leopold Chen Matthew Cheng,Harvey Kong,Emily Hung,Jiang Chuqin,Leopold Chen Hong Kong welcomed two People’s Liberation Army naval vessels that sailed into the city’s waters for a four-day port call as part of National Day celebrations, with hundreds of students boarding the warships for a patriotic education tour. Training vessel Qi Jiguang and amphibious landing ship Yimeng Shan arrived at around 8am on Tuesday via Tathong Channel in eastern waters, guided by local marine police vessels and the PLA Hong Kong garrison’s guided-missile frigate Suqian, hull number... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327303/hong-kong-welcomes-2-pla-naval-vessels-national-day-celebrations https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/hong-kong/society/article/3327303/hong-kong-welcomes-2-pla-naval-vessels-national-day-celebrations Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:59:59 +0000 Stephen Chen Stephen Chen China has deployed a working prototype of a global defence system similar to the United States’ proposed Golden Dome, while hailing a breakthrough in data processing technology for worldwide threat management, according to scientists involved in the project. Although the “distributed early warning detection big data platform” is still in its early stages of development, it can simultaneously monitor a thousand missiles fired at China from anywhere in the world, according to the developers. By... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3327224/china-fields-golden-dome-prototype https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/science/article/3327224/china-fields-golden-dome-prototype Mon, 29 Sep 2025 22:00:08 +0000 Yuanyue Dang Yuanyue Dang A Chinese military magazine has shed light on the mysterious laser weapon unveiled at the country’s Victory Day parade in Beijing this month, and argues that its output exceeds that of its American counterparts. According to Ordnance Industry Science Technology, a Chinese military journal, the Liaoyuan-1 (LY-1) shipborne laser weapon displayed in the military parade on September 3 will be tasked with “close-range interception of incoming missiles and drones”, serving as the “last line of... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3327271/last-line-defence-military-journal-sheds-light-chinas-new-ly-1-shipborne-laser-weapon https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3327271/last-line-defence-military-journal-sheds-light-chinas-new-ly-1-shipborne-laser-weapon Mon, 29 Sep 2025 14:00:10 +0000 Liu Zhen Liu Zhen The Chinese military has warned against Japan’s laser weapon plans, accusing Tokyo of undermining regional security. Japan has made progress in road-mobile laser weapons and will begin a ship-mounted laser weapon programme that can intercept incoming small unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), a commentary in the PLA Daily on Tuesday noted. “These trends should be watched with high caution,” it said. Laser weapons are an effective measure against the fast-developing drone warfare, with the advantages... https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3326595/china-criticises-japans-laser-weapon-plans-threat-regional-stability https://www-scmp-com.libproxy1.nus.edu.sg/news/china/military/article/3326595/china-criticises-japans-laser-weapon-plans-threat-regional-stability Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:51:18 +0000