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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.
Chinese navy escort task forces have operated in the Gulf of Aden and waters off Somalia since 2008, protecting commercial shipping and supporting counter-piracy patrols. Photo: Xinhua
China-Africa relations

As rival navies turn away, Beijing faces a Somalia test

Piracy off the waters of Somalia is at a decade high, testing Beijing’s role as other naval powers focus elsewhere.

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China's military weapons

China tests GJ-21 stealth drone as Sichuan Type 076 enters final sea trials

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China's military weapons

Did the Chinese navy fire a radar-absorbing YJ-18A anti-ship missile in sea trial?

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China's military weapons

Could new transport-tanker capability boost PLA power past first island chain?

Convertible Y-20B aircraft give PLA Air Force operational flexibility to project power deeper into the western Pacific.

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A CCTV programme says the Y-20B can switch between transport and aerial refuelling missions, which observers say has implications for sorties and other air operations beyond the first island chain. Photo: CCTV
China's military weapons

Satellite images show 50% boost to China’s Type 054B missile capacity

Chinese military analyst says a larger munitions payload directly affords guided-missile frigate stronger independent combat capabilities.

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China-Japan relations

Chinese and Russian warships were seen circling Japan. What could it mean?

The pair aim to show they aren’t boxed in by the first island chain and that Moscow can project power despite the Ukraine war.

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South China Sea

Are commercial sea drones new headache for PLA in South China Sea and Taiwan?

A crewless vessel’s footage of a Chinese warship operating near the Philippines highlights their potential intelligence-gathering role.

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Seasats, a California-based autonomous vessel maker, has released footage of a Chinese warship shot by one of its drones. Photo: Seasats
US-China relations

The numbers game: why the US is losing ground to China in the first island chain

The PLA is rapidly progressing towards its 2027 ‘world-class military’ goal in ways that could challenge US defence lines, analysts say.

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China's military weapons

Can China’s expanding hypersonic missile fleet alter the global naval balance?

Successful launch poised to ‘improve the navy’s combat capabilities’ and create ‘nightmare’ for US Navy, military commentator says.

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China's military weapons

China’s military modernisation

Chinese President Xi Jinping is boosting the nation’s defence capabilities ahead of the 2027 centenary of the People’s Liberation Army, overseeing improvements in hardware and high-level purges of generals.

China’s military modernisation
China's military weapons

China’s Type 076 ship Sichuan enters final tests with stealth drone catapult

CCTV computer-generated footage shows how the 40,000-tonne Sichuan uses electromagnetic catapult to launch GJ-21 drones.

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China’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, is entering the final stages of commissioning, according to state media. Photo: CCTV
China's military weapons

Is China building a new type of attack submarine? Images hint at stealth gains

Vessel spotted at Shanghai shipyard features smaller sail, suggesting a new class of nuclear sub with better range, analysts say.

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Taiwan

Why PLA jet sorties near Taiwan dropped to a 3-year low in first half of 2026

Beijing is shifting cross-strait military strategy, halving aerial missions and increasing coastguard patrols in the waters near the island.

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China's military weapons

Is China building a bigger support ship for its future Type 004 carrier group?

New satellite imagery offers insight into how Beijing plans to keep future strike groups supplied at sea.

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Analysts are examining satellite imagery of China’s Comec Longxue shipyard near Guangzhou for insight into how China’s navy plans to operate. Photo: Google Earth
China’s military drills

2 Chinese military naval pilots killed during PLA frontline training exercises

Rare local government disclosures reveal senior colonel and first lieutenant from South China Sea-facing theatre command died on June 10.

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Fang Ming, a senior colonel serving as a tactical commander under the PLA Southern Theatre Command Naval Aviation unit, is one of two pilots who died on June 10. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong society

‘I didn’t want to miss it’: Hongkongers see off PLA warships after port call

Chief Secretary Eric Chan says it was a precious opportunity for residents to appreciate the country’s achievements in defence and the military.

Hong Kong society

Editorial | PLA vessels’ port call in Hong Kong highlights nation’s support

Regular visits from Chinese naval vessels also signal the city’s responsibility to protect sovereignty and fortify a sense of national identity.

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China's military weapons

Will China’s Fujian be the first carrier with anti-torpedo system to beat subs?

Defence magazine points to lightweight torpedo launcher in place of the 12-tube depth charge launchers on earlier Chinese carriers.

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The Fujian, which conducted its maiden sea trial in May 2024, may be the world’s first carrier equipped with an anti-torpedo torpedo system, according to Defence Review. Photo: Xinhua
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong students tour PLA Navy warships for lesson on national defence

Students describe being ‘very moved’ by sight of destroyer Nanning and frigate Hengyang moored at Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks.

Hong Kong society

Residents, visitors flock to waterfront as PLA Navy ships sail into Hong Kong

Guided-missile destroyer Nanning and guided-missile frigate Hengyang arrive for five-day port call to mark handover anniversary.

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Hong Kong politics

2 PLA Navy ships to visit Hong Kong for 5-day port call

Residents will get a chance to board destroyer Nanning and frigate Hengyang during visit.

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The guided missile destroyer Nanning is one of two ships that will visit Hong Kong. Photo: Xinhua
South China Sea

US shifts South China Sea reconnaissance towards drones, Philippines: think tank

Reliance on close-in aerial reconnaissance over contested waters comes as large American vessels face growing constraints.

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Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea comes into view during an aerial reconnaissance flight on February 18, 2025. Photo: AFP
China's military weapons

PLA’s advanced carrier Fujian transits Taiwan Strait amid military drills

The vessel’s passage comes a day after island starts a five-day exercise to boost its combat readiness.

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South China Sea

China and Philippines in rare naval stand-off near disputed Scarborough Shoal

Media outlet says incident coincided with end of Salaknib 2026 joint military exercise also involving US, Japan, New Zealand and Australia.

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China's military weapons

China’s navy has missiles and drones. Why is it bringing back the ‘big guns’?

A new 155mm naval gun is said to be in development and it could provide firepower support for a future attack on Taiwan.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
China’s military drills

Breaking the chain? Why Hainan holds the key to survival for China’s carriers

Sanya naval complex in country’s island province gives warships room to manoeuvre and counter US first island chain, report says.

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The commissioning and flag-presenting ceremony is held for the Fujian, China’s third aircraft carrier, in Sanya on China’s southern Hainan province on November 5, 2025. Photo: Xinhua via AP
China's military weapons

Is China building the world’s largest naval support ship?

Photos of a giant hull released by state-owned shipbuilder trigger speculation that the vessel will be used to supply carrier groups.

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China-Japan relations

Warning over Taiwan? PLA warships make rare transits off southwest Japan

‘Rare passage is a direct deterrent’ to the Japanese military bases along the coast, former PLA instructor says.

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