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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 and Vietnamese navy vessels pictured during their 39th joint patrol, in the Gulf of Tonkin in November 2025. Photo: Xinhua
China-Asean relations

China, Vietnam agree to live-fire drills in naval exercise boost

Agreement between naval commanders ahead of 40th joint exercise comes as Vietnamese leader To Lam hails ties with China as ‘top priority’.

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Trending in China

China warship’s sole female top officer tells women to prioritise professional skills

China's military weapons

What will first Type 055 destroyers for PLA East China Fleet mean for Taiwan?

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China's military weapons

China’s 155mm naval gun on test vessel signals boost to amphibious landing power

The weapon – reportedly capable of firing guided munitions – represents a significant upgrade for PLA Navy.

Photos of China’s new 155mm weapon mounted on the bow of a test vessel have recently emerged on Chinese social media. Photo: Handout
Mainland China

Why Chinese navy still trails the US in high-stakes game of underwater recovery

PLA Navy risks exposing sensitive technology as factors including more open-sea operations heighten crash risks, military magazine warns.

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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.

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China's military weapons

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

China may avoid a ‘carrier gap’ and could support carrier operations along the Indian Ocean to the Middle East and beyond, analysts say.

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Analysis by a US geospatial intelligence company says satellite imagery shows the first use by a Chinese aircraft carrier of a new dry dock near the South China Sea. Photo: AllSource Analysis
US-China relations

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

Western hemisphere port call by Silk Road Ark comes just weeks after US ousted Venezuelan leader.

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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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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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US President Donald Trump announces plans for a new class of warships called the Golden Fleet at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, in December. Photo: AFP
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.

Crew on the deck of the USS Essex during a visit to Hong Kong in 2010. Photo: Sam Tsang
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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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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US President Donald Trump announces plans for a new class of warships bearing his name at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, on Monday. Photo: AFP
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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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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China’s new Type 004 aircraft carrier is under construction at the Dalian shipyard in the northeastern province of Liaoning. Photo: X/Tokcoslsp
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.

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.

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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Pictures have appeared on Chinese social media, increasing speculation that China’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, is taking part in advanced electromagnetic catapult trials. Photo: Handout
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.

President Donald Trump speaks after signing a TikTok executive order. Photo: AP
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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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.

Some believe the Fujian may be sailing to Sanya, a key military port in south China. Photo: Handout
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.

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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