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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.
last updated:
16 October, 2024
The joint counterterrorism drills in Pakistan – dubbed Warrior-8 – finished on Saturday. Photo: CCTV
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

Taiwan

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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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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Zhang Youxia (left), vice-chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, meets his Pakistani counterpart Syed Asim Munir during a visit to Pakistan this week. Photo: Handout
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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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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The Southern Theatre Command of the People’s Liberation Army says Scarborough Shoal patrol was “carried out in accordance with the law”. Photo: Xinhua
Taiwan

Chances of all-out war over Taiwan are ‘slim’, says US envoy

De facto ambassador Raymond Greene says US military and Taipei’s military reforms help deter attacks from mainland China.

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The Taiwanese military has been trying to improve its defensive capabilities in recent years. Photo: Reuters
South China Sea

PLA Navy tests South China Sea defences as Vietnam, Philippines expand footprint

Vessels from the Southern Theatre Command practise in missile interception and damage-control mode as part of autumn drills.

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US-China relations

Mainland China lashes out at US$2 billion American arms package for Taiwan

Beijing says the deal, which includes an advanced missile defence system, undermines ‘China’s sovereignty and security interests’.

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Taiwan

PLA nighttime drills show troops ‘ready for surprises’ over Taiwan

Beijing’s top uniformed military official oversees latest exercises as PLA intensifies nighttime training, with Taiwan following suit.

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The People’s Liberation Army has carried out its latest nighttime drills as part of a three-day “combined military operation”. Photo: Weibo/ 央视军事报道
South China Sea

Top Chinese military commander visits Vietnam for talks on closer cooperation

Zhang Youxia, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, met Hanoi’s top leader and other senior figures during his visit.

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China

China plans live-fire Taiwan Strait drills after US and Canadian ships transit

Exercise to come after US and Canadian vessels made passage through strait on Sunday, which followed PLA’s blockade test a week ago.

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China-Asean relations

China, Thailand begin joint military drills as Beijing boosts defence ties

11 days of exercises in Kunming are focused on fighting terrorism, deploying unmanned combat devices ‘under complex situations’.

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The “Strike-2024” joint military exercise is scheduled for 11 days near the Chinese city of Kunming. Photo: PLA
ICBMs

Opinion | China’s ICBM test may well redraw the global security landscape

More than a show of tech strength, it represents a shift in nuclear strategy and alliance stability that could redefine global security.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
Taiwan

PLA wraps up day of joint force blockade drills around Taiwan

Joint Sword-2024B exercise focused on sea-and air-combat readiness patrols, and ability to block key ports.

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US-China relations

China and Russia’s Arctic partnership ‘needs close attention’: top US commander

Chairman of Joint Chiefs Charles Brown says countries need to know if partnership is for the collective good or a challenge to other nations.

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China-Russia relations

China, Russia show military might with joint anti-submarine drills in Pacific

The operation is likely to have been held in recent days and follows a major exercise designed to ‘deepen the level of strategic cooperation’.

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Russian anti-submarine aircraft pictured during last month’s joint exercise. Photo: AP
Taiwan

Taiwan sets war readiness goals at meeting of new defence resilience committee

Whole-of-Society Defence Resilience Committee aims to mobilise around 400,000 people, security official says.

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Taiwanese leader William Lai (in dark suit), pictured with troops at a naval base in Penghu County, has outlined the tasks of a new defence committee for “a more resilient Taiwan”. Photo: EPA-EFE
China's military weapons

China sends ‘deterrent message’ with missile intercept test near Indian border

Test was part of a PLA exercise on the Karakoram Plateau and was reported the same day the two sides held talks in Beijing.

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China’s rocket force

China tests ICBM that could reach the US mainland with launch into Pacific Ocean

Test by PLA Rocket Force ‘achieves expected purpose’ and is a routine part of annual military training, Beijing says.

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