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China’s military

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China’s military
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.
WuXi AppTec is one of China’s largest pharmaceutical research and manufacturing services companies. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

US judge blocks Pentagon’s ‘Chinese military’ label for WuXi AppTec

Court finds defence officials misread evidence involving a state-linked fund, Chinese universities and a PLA hospital.

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China’s air force

Chinese military unveils AI system to plan and coordinate mass air strikes

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Mainland China

Chinese pilot who landed safely after cabin leak given first-class merit award

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China's military weapons

China’s military modernisation

Chinese President Xi Jinping is boosting the nation’s defence capabilities ahead of the 2027 centenary of the People’s Liberation Army, overseeing improvements in hardware and high-level purges of generals.

China’s military modernisation
The People’s Liberation Army (PLA)

PLA 99th Anniversary

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.

China military reform

The PLA at 99: how China’s military went from ragtag rifles to world-class force

From revolutionary group to hi-tech machine, the PLA’s transformation has been a long pursuit of strength and self-reliance.

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China’s military drills

Could US subterranean warfare be a future threat to China’s military defences?

Underground warfare could challenge China’s early-warning reliance on satellites and ground-based radars, think tank says.

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In the United States there are calls for the Earth’s deep places to be recognised as a possible dimension of future warfare. Photo: Getty Images
US-China relations

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel on US’ decline and China’s nuclear arsenal

Zhou Bo of Tsinghua University weighs US’ commitment to Taiwan, how big a nuclear deterrent China needs and the risks of AI warfare.

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Defence

How Trump’s call for Asia-Pacific allies to raise defence spending may backfire

The president hopes his demands will benefit the US defence industry but analysts believe local arms makers may be the main beneficiaries.

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US-China relations

Pentagon official hails ‘stronger’ military ties with PLA at anniversary event

Speaking at the Chinese embassy, US deputy assistant defence secretary Alvaro Smith says ‘clear, steady progress’ is being made.

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Pentagon official Alvaro Smith (left) with Chinese ambassador Xie Feng (centre) and defence attaché Major General Liu Zhan at China’s embassy in Washington on Tuesday. Photo: qq.com
Taiwan

Why PLA jet sorties near Taiwan dropped to a 3-year low in first half of 2026

Beijing is shifting cross-strait military strategy, halving aerial missions and increasing coastguard patrols in the waters near the island.

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Illustration: Davies Christian
Taiwan

Beijing conducts live-fire drills in Taiwan Strait after criticising Lai speech

Beginning of exercise coincides with completion of Beijing’s fisheries resources survey conducted in waters east of Taiwan.

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US-China relations

Trump order targets China-linked military mineral supply chains

US defence contractors must identify critical mineral sources and reduce dependence on Beijing-linked materials.

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China-Latin America relations

US claims 3 China-linked spy sites in Cuba monitoring American military activity

State Department report alleges Beijing and Moscow regard Cuba-based facilities as among their ‘most critical foreign listening posts’.

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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has backed a new report released on Monday that said China maintains a “persistent intelligence-gathering presence” in Cuba. Photo: Reuters
China's military weapons

Opinion | China’s missile test from a submarine is no guarantee of regional stability

Beijing’s ICBM test from a nuclear-powered submarine is a win from a defence perspective but comes with greater responsibilities.

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Illustration: Mario Cameira
China's military weapons

What China’s carrier recruitment drive says about PLA Navy’s long-term ambitions

Beijing is committed to building a fleet that can operate far from home – even in the face of the growing threat from anti-ship missiles.

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China's military weapons

What does China’s J-16 jet ‘beast mode’ upgrade mean for regional air power?

Extreme loadout configuration suggests a potential extension of the PLA Air Force’s tactical capabilities, Chinese military magazine says.

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China’s military drills

2 Chinese military naval pilots killed during PLA frontline training exercises

Rare local government disclosures reveal senior colonel and first lieutenant from South China Sea-facing theatre command died on June 10.

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Fang Ming, a senior colonel serving as a tactical commander under the PLA Southern Theatre Command Naval Aviation unit, is one of two pilots who died on June 10. Photo: Handout
Science

Up to 100 gigawatts: China unveils its high-power microwave weapon arsenal

Defence scientists say the technology could threaten low Earth orbit satellite networks such as Starlink at an extremely low cost.

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China's military weapons

What does China’s submarine missile test mean for its nuclear triad expansion?

More than a technical milestone, undersea launch sends strategic signal to the US and Beijing’s neighbours in Asia-Pacific, analysts say.

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China's military weapons

China submarine fires long-range missile ahead of Nato summit

An unprecedented missile launch by a PLA nuclear submarine will prompt Nato leaders to focus more on the Asia-Pacific region.

Submarine-launched JL-3 intercontinental ballistic missiles at a military parade in Beijing last year. Photo: Reuters
China's military weapons

Chinese nuclear sub fires test missile into Pacific in second-strike signal

It is the PLA’s first known submarine-based missile test since 1982, and the first known to be fired from a nuclear-powered submarine.

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A Chinese submarine fires a dummy warhead into the Pacific Ocean on Monday, July 6, 2026. Photo: CCTV
Hong Kong politics

PLA Navy officer recalls dramatic Sudan evacuation at Hong Kong barracks open day

Visitors receive first-hand account of mission to take 940 Chinese nationals, including two Hongkongers, to safety during civil war in 2023.

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Corruption in China

Chinese President Xi Jinping appoints new military anti-corruption chief

Zhang Shuguang, who was promoted to the rank of full general, will take over as head of the PLA’s top graft-busting body.

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China's military weapons

Will China’s Fujian be the first carrier with anti-torpedo system to beat subs?

Defence magazine points to lightweight torpedo launcher in place of the 12-tube depth charge launchers on earlier Chinese carriers.

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The Fujian, which conducted its maiden sea trial in May 2024, may be the world’s first carrier equipped with an anti-torpedo torpedo system, according to Defence Review. Photo: Xinhua
China's military weapons

Could China’s containerised aircraft launcher reshape rules of modern warfare?

Details of a growing family of standard-sized weapon systems appeared on social media, along with video of an EMALS in action.

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A drone is launched from an electromagnetic catapult system using interconnected trucks that form a continuous platform. Photo: BIT/WeChat
China's military weapons

What signal is China sending with official footage of sixth-generation fighter?

A fleeting clip of the new fighter – nicknamed ‘Little Six’ – featured in a video released by official military media over the weekend.

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Hong Kong society

Thousands flock to PLA airbase amid Hong Kong handover celebrations

‘I wanted to see aircraft, which is why I applied to visit Shek Kong barracks. They are bigger than I had imagined,’ visitor says.

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