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China's military weapons

China's military weapons
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.
Open Questions series

Susan Thornton on US-China ties, post-midterms and averting a new balloon crisis

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘It’s not possible to contain China,’ former top US diplomat Kurt Campbell says

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Wu Shicun on why Beijing will not rule out Scarborough Shoal construction

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Susan Thornton on US-China ties, post-midterms and averting a new balloon crisis

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘It’s not possible to contain China,’ former top US diplomat Kurt Campbell says

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Wu Shicun on why Beijing will not rule out Scarborough Shoal construction

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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13
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
US soldiers stand beside an air defence system during joint military exercises in Zambales province, the Philippines, in April. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

How land power could help US forces counter China in the Indo-Pacific

US commanders say the army’s long-range missiles, air defences and ground operations are vital to deterring China and protecting its forces.

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UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles)

China leans in to hi-tech systems to counter emerging AI-fuelled terror threats

Science

China is working on a submarine tank that can operate underwater for 2 hours

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Middle East

Could Pakistan’s Chinese-made weapons help protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks?

Islamabad, which reportedly sent JF-17 jets and an HQ-9 system to Saudi Arabia, has vowed cooperation with Riyadh ‘in every possible way’.

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Smoke and flames rise from King Khalid Airport after an attack by the Yemen-based Houthis, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on October 8. Photo: Social media via Reuters
Russia

China’s Zhuhai air show to feature first dedicated naval equipment display

New exhibition area marks another expansion of country’s largest air show, as the PLA doubles down on developing its naval capabilities.

US military

Systems to counter missiles and drones take centre stage at US defence expo

Emphasis on air and missile defence at AUSA exhibition reflects concern over aerial threats as conflicts in Ukraine and Middle East drag on.

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Artificial intelligence

Opinion | Can US-China AI talks keep autonomous weapons within bounds?

Rapid military AI development makes agreed limits on mission scopes, operational areas and target parameters an urgent priority.

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US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth gives a State of the Force address at Marine Corps Base Quantico on September 30 in Quantico, Virginia. Photo: Getty Images/TNS
Pakistan

Indonesia to take delivery of first Chinese J-10CE jets in 6 months, report says

When they arrive the southeast Asian nation will become the third international operator of the aircraft, after Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

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Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan grows its arsenal of Chinese air defences as Russia’s role shrinks

Amid regional instability, Central Asian nations look beyond Moscow for arms as the war in Ukraine drains Russian stocks.

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Taiwan

Why the PLA’s Z-10 attack helicopter is taking a bigger role at sea

Aircraft was built to hunt tanks and support ground troops, but a broader maritime role means it can operate closer to Taiwan.

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A Z-10 lands on a PLA Navy ship. The attack helicopter’s maritime role has expanded. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

US blast simulation targets China’s alleged secret nuclear testing

US Energy Department conducts underground explosive test in Nevada designed to detect low-yield nuclear explosions from China.

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DF-5C nuclear missiles on display during a military parade to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, in Beijing on September 3, 2025. Photo: Reuters
Taiwan

Taiwan coastguard uses water cannons to warn off mainland Chinese fishing vessel

Taiwan’s Coast Guard Administration reveals incident occurred 27 nautical miles east of Dongsha Island in the South China Sea on Friday.

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China military reform

China sets up new military academy colleges for AI, drones and discipline

Restructured academies aim to build a technical workforce and strengthen the anti-corruption push across China’s military.

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US military

Why US missile shortfalls raise stakes for a potential Taiwan Strait conflict

Ammunition could prove to be the defining issue as mainland China’s defence industry appears to be operating at an elevated tempo.

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Taiwan is set to receive all 29 Himars systems from its initial orders by the end of this year, with another 82 systems approved for purchase. Photo: AFP
Science

Chinese researchers say missile lidar model can spot US F-35 at up to 61.5km

Chinese air force supplier models airborne single-photon lidar to spot stealth fighters without triggering radar or heat sensors.

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Recent computer modelling by Chinese researchers claims a theoretical laser-based sensor could detect stealth airframes out to 61.5km at night. Photo: Aero Weaponry
China’s military

China takes strategic military step overseas with new Laos air force centre

Beijing says jointly operated facilities at Ban Keun Airport will support pilot training and deepen cooperation between the two militaries.

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China's space programme

Can China’s new satellite coordination standards speed up PLA targeting?

Beijing panel of experts approves work on 10 proposals to support civilian and commercial low-Earth-orbit constellations.

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UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles)

China deploys advanced WZ-7 drone for first time near Scarborough Shoal

The high-altitude reconnaissance platform took part in exercises around the disputed South China Sea flashpoint.

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A report from state broadcaster CCTV marked the first official confirmation of the deployment of the WZ-7 in a real-time operation. Photo: CCTV
China’s aircraft carriers

China’s next carrier could be its longest – what are Beijing’s plans?

Analysts say the vessel’s hull and potential nuclear propulsion hint that China’s carrier fleet could be used further afield.

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Serbia

Were the Serbian military’s new robot dogs built using Chinese technology?

Analysts say the nations are deepening their collaboration, with China seeing Serbia as a gateway to the European market.

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United States

How are China’s Type 052D destroyers shifting the balance in the western Pacific?

The warship was used to launch a hypersonic anti-ship missile in July and could be strategically important in a Taiwan contingency.

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Footage of a Type 052D destroyer launching a YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile was aired on state television in July. Photo: CCTV
Pacific nations

Opinion | Pacific island states are trapped in Cold War 2.0

Geopolitically, it’s like a feudal hierarchy: small island nations as vassals, Australia and New Zealand as local lords and the US as king.

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A family photo during the 55th Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Koror, Palau, on September 2. Photo: AAP via Reuters
Mainland China

Could China’s sixth-generation fighter carry a laser to defend against missiles?

Beijing expo display offers strongest public hint yet that China is developing airborne laser systems for advanced fighter aircraft.

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China’s submarines

Could mystery Shanghai vessel be a mothership for China’s underwater drones?

Satellite images show an unusual craft under construction that analysts say may be designed to deploy very large uncrewed submarines.

Saudi Arabia

Has a Chinese DF missile been used for the first time in the Middle East?

Video of a DF-15A rocket motor in Marib hints at secret arms deliveries as Saudi-Houthi fighting escalates.

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Video on social media shows debris from the booster stage of a short-range ballistic missile with “DF-15A” written on its side. It was discovered in the Raghwan district of Marib governorate. Photo: X.com/OSINTWarfare
China technology

Opinion | China’s J-10CE has foreign buyers, but not yet a market

In service in Pakistan and Uzbekistan and on Bangladesh’s radar, the fighter jet is not yet a threat to Western market dominance.

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A model of a J-10C fighter jet displayed at the 55th Paris Air Show in Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France, on June 18, 2025. Photo: NurPhoto via Getty Images
ICBMs

For China, H-6N bomber enhances nuclear deterrence and second-strike capability

Country’s nuclear triad complete as airborne leg supplements intercontinental ballistic missiles and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

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Mainland China

Why PLA’s laser-equipped Type 19 vehicle could matter in a Taiwan conflict

Images appear to show amphibious platform adapted with energy weapon and extra sensors for counter-drone defence.

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