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China’s navy

China’s navy
Latest news and updates on the People’s Liberation Army Navy, including military drills, the development of warships and aircraft carriers, spending, reforms and modernisation.
China’s growing military power
China's military weapons

China’s growing military power

Chinese President Xi Jinping is boosting the nation’s defence capabilities ahead of the 2027 centenary of the People’s Liberation Army. He has overseen improvements in hardware, including the expansion of the nuclear weapons programme, and tightened his control through high-level purges of generals.

China's military weapons

Shandong’s use of PLA dry dock near South China Sea suggests carrier milestone

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US-China relations

What Chinese navy’s first Uruguay port call reveals about Beijing’s ambitions

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China's military weapons

New details of China’s H-6J maritime strike bomber: more vision, more range, more roles

Naval variant of PLA Air Force’s H-6K is primarily designed as an anti-ship weapon, key to deterring vessels in various conflict scenarios.

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The H-6 series of aircraft is the PLA’s primary operational bomber force. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

‘Wartime footing’: US Navy chief unveils Trump’s Golden Fleet shipbuilding push

John Phelan says it is essential that America matches China’s superior production capacity and manufacturing workforce.

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Espionage

Former US Navy sailor gets 16 years for selling ship secrets to Chinese contact

Jinchao Wei, 25, provided information about the USS Essex and other ships in exchange for about US$12,000.

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The Philippines

Philippine navy ‘up to the challenge’ of defending territory in South China Sea

Manila is banking on modern ships and global alliances to challenge China’s increasing presence in the contentious waters.

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Chinese coast guards use a water cannon against a Philippine vessel in the South China Sea on October 12, 2025. Photo: China Coast Guard/Xinhua
China’s military

US Navy aircraft crashes offer lessons for PLA carrier operations, analysts say

Chinese military could learn from rival’s strengths in search and rescue response, but also its weaknesses in maintenance and training.

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US-China relations

Will Trump’s battleship plan deter China or is it just a pipe dream?

Donald Trump unveils new class of ship meant to ‘inspire fear in America’s enemies’, but analysts say the initiative faces huge hurdles.

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China’s military drills

Japan keeps tabs on 4 Chinese navy ships near Okinawa after weekend stand-off

China’s ‘capabilities in long-range, unmanned combat operations mean we can neutralise any threat with precision’, commentator tells CCTV.

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Japan’s Self-Defence Forces says China’s Liaoning carrier, pictured in 2021, and three guided missile destroyers are continuing drills in waters near Japan. Photo: Handout via Reuters
South China Sea

Opinion | How does China’s modernising navy stack up against the US seventh fleet?

Between what the US can sustain in the region vs what China can concentrate near its shores, the calculation increasingly favours Beijing.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China-Japan relations

3 PLA warships sailed past Japan amid row over PM Takaichi’s Taiwan comments

Type 055 destroyer among PLA vessels to transit Osumi Strait days after Beijing criticised Japanese leader, defence ministry in Tokyo says.

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China's military weapons

Images suggest China is building its first nuclear-powered carrier

War Zone report says hull of Type 004 being built in Dalian has what might be a reactor containment structure.

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Fujian Type 003 aircraft carrier

Is PLA aviator Cui Yuzhong on track to be the Chinese navy’s new commander?

Vice-Admiral Cui was seen briefing the president at the commissioning of the Fujian aircraft carrier last week.

Vice-Admiral Cui Yuzhong has served in all three of China’s fleets. Photo: Handout
China’s aircraft carriers

China’s third aircraft carrier enters service

The Fujian, China’s first self-developed aircraft carrier, entered service on Wednesday after about 18 months of sea trials. The vessel launches planes with electromagnetic catapults, a technology previously only used by the US.

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China's military weapons

Is China’s new Type 076 drone carrier starting key catapult test?

Claims have appeared on Chinese social media that PLA’s most advanced amphibious warship, the Sichuan, has been undergoing systems testing.

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TikTok

Trump’s TikTok sign-off, China climate target, Zijin Gold IPO

This week: Trump approves planned US TikTok deal, Xi unveils 2035 emissions targets, super typhoon batters Hong Kong. Next week: September PMI, golden week travel rush, K-type tech visa, world’s biggest indoor ski centre opens and more.

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China’s aircraft carriers

Landmark launch for China’s J-35 stealth jet from Fujian aircraft carrier

In a boost to naval power, fighter takes off via vessel’s electromagnetic catapults for first time.

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The carrier-based J-15T, J-35 (pictured) and KJ-600 aircraft have completed their inaugural electromagnetic catapult-assisted take-off and landing tests on the Fujian aircraft carrier. Photo: Xinhua
China’s aircraft carriers

Will the Fujian aircraft carrier find its home port in the South China Sea?

If based at Sanya, as expected, two of China’s three active carriers will be stationed at Southern Theatre Command base.

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China's military weapons

China’s Fujian carrier leaves port, adding to signs it will soon enter service

Images on social media hint at the advanced aircraft carrier’s impending commission.

China's military weapons

While the PLA was on parade in Beijing, its navy patrolled the South China Sea

Southern Theatre Command were on high alert ‘to safeguard China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests’.

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Beijing has conducted frequent patrols and combat drills in the South China Sea and its claims in the waterway are challenged by a number of countries, including Malaysia, Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei. Photo: Anadolu via Getty Images
China’s military

China’s display of military might adds muscle to Xi diplomacy

More than 10,000 troops and an array of cutting-edge weaponry paraded through Beijing, commemorating the end of World War II and showing off China’s growing military strength.

Photo: Xinhua
China-Japan relations

Chinese missile destroyer seen passing Japanese island in East China Sea: Tokyo

China’s Type 052D warship and replenishment vessel nearly circled Japanese archipelago in a month-long sailing, Japan defence ministry says.

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The Philippines

Philippines warns China not to cross ‘red line’ over grounded warship

The Philippine military says it has noted a surge in Chinese maritime activity near BRP Sierra Madre in the disputed Second Thomas Shoal.

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South China Sea

Beijing slams Philippine ships in first comment on South China Sea collision

Philippine vessels ‘severely jeopardised’ safety of Chinese ship crew after ‘illegally entering’ disputed waters, defence ministry says.

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Screen grab from Philippine coastguard footage appears to show the purported collision between Chinese coastguard and military vessels near the disputed Scarborough Shoal. Photo: Handout
South China Sea

Collision between Chinese ships expected to escalate tension in South China Sea

Analysts predict China will move to restore its image at sea while ramping up exercises to improve navy-coastguard coordination.

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A Chinese coastguard vessel collided with a PLA Navy ship, numbered 164, around 10 nautical miles east of Scarborough Shoal, resulting in substantial damage to the coastguard vessel. Photo: Philippine Coast Guard
China-Philippines relations

Video | Chinese ships collide in latest South China Sea flare-up with Philippines

The collision took place at contested Scarborough Shoal, or Huangyan Island, as Chinese authorities tried to expel Philippine vessels.

China’s aircraft carriers

PLA’s aircraft carrier goals

China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, is expected to be commissioned this year as the country seeks to build up its naval power and narrow the gap with the US carrier fleet.

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