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China’s military drills

China’s military drills
Latest news and updates on military drills involving the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), including manoeuvres near Taiwan and joint exercises with other nations.
An air force pilot from the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command takes part in joint combat training exercises around Taiwan, in August 2022. Photo: AP
Taiwan

Mainland China’s PLA ‘ready to fight’ to prevent Taiwan independence

Warning from Eastern Theatre Command chief comes as Beijing marks 20 years of Anti-Secession Law amid high cross-strait tensions.

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China’s navy

China set for joint naval exercise Security Belt-2025 with Russia and Iran

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Two Sessions 2025

China defends ‘reasonable and steady’ rise in military spending

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South China Sea

Editorial | Exercise by China’s PLA Navy sends timely reminder

Reaction to warships in Tasman Sea appears excessive, particularly when Australia dispatches forces to the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.

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Sailors onboard the Royal Australian Navy ship HMAS Arunta view People’s Liberation Army-Navy ships in the Tasman Sea. Photo: AFP/Australian Defence Force
China’s navy

Chinese military unveils new data unit to help naval commanders make decisions

The new unit is designed to improve the use of data resources and develop advanced training methods.

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China-Australia relations

PLA navy gives details on live-fire Pacific drills led by Type 055 warship Zunyi

CCTV report citing PLA Navy comes days after exercises in the Tasman Sea prompted monitoring by Australia and New Zealand.

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Taiwan

PLA steps up Taiwan drills over Lunar New Year holiday

Ramped up military patrols during the usually quiet Lunar New Year were softened with social media messages from PLA service personnel.

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The PLA used the Lunar New Year holiday period to increase its military posture around the self-ruled island of Taiwan, according to data released by Taiwan’s defence ministry. Photo: Xinhua via AP
Taiwan

Taiwan Strait: Chinese military branches share resources in joint air training

Sharing information, resources and training has become a vital approach for China’s Eastern Theatre Command amid rising tensions.

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China's military weapons

China trains ‘special mission’ pilots for Fujian aircraft carrier: CCTV

Electromagnetic catapult system allows for heavier and more advanced aircraft, such as KJ-600 airborne early warning and control aircraft.

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China’s military

PLA patrols in South China Sea for second day as tensions mount with Philippines

Chinese military says it carried out ‘routine patrol’ following US-Philippine joint exercise.

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A Chinese destroyer fleet was also shown on state television carrying out a drill in the Pacific Ocean over the Lunar New Year period. Photo: CCTV
China-Philippines relations

PLA decries US-Philippine air drill over South China Sea as tensions escalate

Earlier, Chinese naval vessels attracted Manila’s ire as they crossed Basilan Strait on the way to distant-sea training exercise.

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Philippine forces said they were tracking three PLA Navy vessels as they crossed the Basilan Strait on Sunday. Photo: Facebook/ Philippines Defence Forces Forum
South China Sea

PLA carries out first South China Sea patrol of year amid ongoing tensions

The air and sea activity comes days before Donald Trump’s return to power brings increased uncertainty to the region.

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China's military weapons

PLA Navy confirms new Type 076 amphibious assault ship will be a drone carrier

Comments from naval commander Chi Jianjun also underscore how growing role of drones and attack robots in warfare is an ‘undeniable trend’.

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Taiwan

Why Beijing’s Taiwan integration experiment in Fujian is starting to fizzle

Beijing invests billions into luring Taiwanese to Fujian’s Pingtan county, but it has yet to translate into political loyalty.

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
Pakistan

China, Pakistan wrap up counterterror drills amid concerns over attacks

More than 300 PLA troops took part in the exercise, which was held as Beijing is pressing Islamabad to do more to protect Chinese nationals.

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The joint counterterrorism drills in Pakistan – dubbed Warrior-8 – finished on Saturday. Photo: CCTV
SCMP Highlights

Drone swarms, stealth fighters, missiles: 10 China military developments in 2024

From a fourth aircraft carrier to the corruption investigation of a top general, here are some of the year’s most notable People’s Liberation Army stories.

Taiwan

Mainland China’s Taiwan military presence

This three-part series looks at how Beijing is using its military and coast guard to put pressure on Taipei.

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Taiwan

Why mainland China’s ‘second navy’ is becoming increasingly active around Taiwan

As well as stepping up patrols, coastguards are training with the navy triggering speculation about their role in any attack on the island.

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Illustration: Brian Wang
Taiwan

Mainland China is upping the ante on Taiwan’s ‘safe’ east coast. Here’s how

Data compiled from the Taiwanese defence ministry’s daily briefings shows a rise in drone and helicopter activity on the far side of the island.

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Taiwan

‘Patience has a limit’: PLA boosts presence near Taiwan after leadership change

Six months after island’s new leader took over, PLA tracking data shows growing numbers of military exercises and sorties are getting closer to more of Taiwan.

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China military reform

Amid fighter fleet overhaul, China’s military cuts its pilot training by a year

By 2026 most PLA fighter pilots could have initial flight and transition training in 3 years: US military think tank.

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The PLA’s JL-10 trainer jet is helping cut training times for Chinese fighter pilots. Photo: Reuters
China military reform

‘No victory without coordination’: China’s PLA focuses on joint operation training

‘New model for integrated training group exercises’ has reached the front lines, PLA Daily report citing Central Military Commission says.

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According to a former PLA instructor, “real war requires joint training” because it is “not enough for a single branch or unit to carry out any combat mission alone”. Photo: AFP
China-Russia relations

South Korea scrambles jets as China, Russia warplanes fly over Sea of Japan

Seoul says China-Russia patrol entered South Korean Air Defense Identification Zone.

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China’s military

China and Pakistan talk security as they target terrorism against belt and road

Top Chinese military official meets Pakistani counterpart in wake of attacks against Chinese interests in the South Asian country.

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US-China relations

What does the US Himars deployment to southern Japan mean for China?

The rocket launcher system will be dispatched with a US Marine regiment along part of the strategic ‘first island chain’.

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The US will deploy a marine regiment equipped with a Himars system along the Ryukus, also known as the Nansei Islands. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

China war scenario calls for US boost in defence spending to more than 3% of GDP

China’s projected military industrial base cannot be matched without increased spending, lawmakers hear.

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Members of the US House select committee on China take part in an interactive simulation on the state of the US defence industrial base on Wednesday. Photo: Laura Zhou
Pakistan

China and Pakistan announce first joint counterterrorism drills in 5 years

The Warrior-8 exercise is announced weeks after the latest deadly suicide attack targeting Chinese workers in the country.

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South China Sea

China conducts sea and air patrol around shoal amid tension with Philippines

It is the second air-to-sea joint patrol as tensions have escalated around Scarborough, Second Thomas and Sabina shoals.

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