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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.
A spokesman for the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command said of recent drills: “This is a powerful punishment for ‘Taiwan independence’ forces and a serious warning to external interference forces. It is completely legitimate and necessary”. Photo: Eastern Theatre Command
Taiwan

Beijing confirms what Taiwan already knew: PLA did drill near island last week

Days after island leader called mainland a ‘foreign hostile force’, Taiwan reported 59 PLA aircraft and 9 naval vessels nearby.

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Australia

Australian air force monitored Chinese navy’s live-fire drills: defence pilots

Thailand

China to hold joint naval drills with Thailand near South China Sea port

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China-Japan relations

Tokyo sends message to Beijing on ‘significant costs’ of Taiwan Strait attack

Tokyo is reportedly considering deploying long-range missiles to Kyushu, a move analyst says could deny Chinese ships access to the Pacific.

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Japan is considering deploying an upgraded version of its Type 12 surface-to-ship guided missile to Kyushu, which would be able to reach both North Korea and the Chinese coast. Photo: Handout
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

The drills in the Gulf of Oman will include simulated attacks and joint search and rescue operations, the Chinese defence ministry says.

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Two Sessions 2025

China defends ‘reasonable and steady’ rise in military spending

Defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian defends 7.2 per cent rise in the PLA’s budget as justified given the ‘significant challenges’ it faces.

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Military delegates walk past Tiananmen Square ahead of the National People’s Congress. Photo: Reuters
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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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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The names of the three vessels in the PLA Navy flotilla match those in reports referring to Chinese exercises last week that raised concerns in Canberra and Wellington and triggered a diplomatic row with Beijing. Photo: CCTV
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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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.

Mainland China’s Taiwan military presence
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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