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The People’s Liberation Army (PLA)

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
The latest news and top stories on the People’s Liberation Army. A prominent Beijing-based governmental body, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the unified military organisation of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party. Its primary mission involves defending national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the Party’s interests, alongside protecting overseas interests and promoting global peace. The PLA, comprising ground, naval, air, rocket, aerospace, cyberspace and information support forces, is recognised as the world’s largest military. It plays a crucial role in national defence, internal security, disaster relief and international peacekeeping, continually modernising its technology and capabilities.
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
Open Questions series

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel on Taiwan, the Ukraine war, China-US ties

Zhou Bo ponders Japanese PM Takaichi’s recent remarks, lessons from the Ukraine conflict and why China won’t be world’s policeman.

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South China Sea

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

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Alibaba

Alibaba slams FT report on alleged PLA ties as ‘completely false’, ‘malicious’

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China's military weapons

China’s Pacific power takes strategic leap with new carrier

The commissioning of the Fujian, China’s third aircraft carrier, extends the nation’s reach into the Pacific, provided it can overcome the challenges of operating a blue-water navy.

Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

US Space Force to use 3 weapons to jam Chinese satellites via remote control

The Meadowlands and Remote Sensing Terminals will be joining the US military’s Counter Communications System jammer.

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Taiwan

No major PLA activity near Taiwan after ‘troublemaker’ Lai’s policy speech

Taiwanese defence ministry figures show no increase in the number of warplanes and warships near the island since October 10.

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Taiwan

Chinese spy drama Silent Honour inspires praise for real-life agents

‘Sudden surge’ of visitors to memorial park and one agent’s family home comes as series about mainland intelligence operation in Taiwan ends.

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Silent Honour is based on real events and uses the names of communist spies who operated in Taiwan at the time. Photo: CCTV
China’s military

China ‘showed integrated combat capabilities in locking on US fifth-gen jets’

A PLA J-16 fighter reportedly chased away two foreign planes– believed to be US F-22s – from its air defence identification zone last year.

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Taiwan

PLA Navy’s Taiwan-focused landing barge spotted at sea, destination unknown

Video shows self-elevating ‘water bridge’ Dong Gong 401 moving close to shore at an unidentified location.

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China's military weapons

How the Chinese military uses ‘human abacuses’ to counter smart device failures

State media says PLA abacus programme aids infantry and artillery units in determining optimal firing times and helps soldiers keep focus.

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Chinese state media showcases the skills of Captain Xu Meiduo, who teaches soldiers how to use the abacus and other traditional mathematical techniques. Photo: CCTV
SCMP Highlights

China’s exports rebound, military mouthpiece’s PLA vow: SCMP daily highlights

From China’s outbound shipments beating estimates to a maths guru on domestically groomed talent, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

A ship is seen at the container terminal of the port in Qingdao, in China’s eastern Shandong province on October 9. Photo: AFP
China's military weapons

China’s military paper urges ‘deep integration’ to beat joint operation weakness

PLA Daily urges stronger synergy across combat elements and weapon platforms, highlights key role of cyber-information systems in warfare.

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China's military weapons

QBZ-191 assault rifle allows Chinese small arms to gain tactical and export edge

191 series shows PLA is catching up with global trends to match world-class combat rifles like the US M4, Belgian SCAR and the German HK416.

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South China Sea

Chinese military announces Malaysia drill as Japan-Philippines exercise starts

The Chinese military says next week’s Aman Youyi-2025 joint exercise will focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

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Chinese and Malaysian troops take part in the 2018 Aman Youyi joint exercise. Photo: Malaysia’s Joint Forces Command
China's military weapons

Chinese military’s new underwater unmanned systems are ‘disruptive’: journal

Submersibles with ‘zero-radius turning manoeuvrability’ said to be capable of operating ‘with ease in complex maritime environments’.

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A Chinese AJX002 unmanned underwater vehicle appears in a military parade in Beijing on September 3. Photo: AFP
China's military weapons

China’s J-16 expelled 2 foreign stealth fighter jets last year: report

PLA pilot involved in encounter during coastal training exercise recounts locking onto both aircraft that were ‘approaching us’.

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China’s military drills

New mock Taiwan government buildings spotted at mainland Chinese military base

Japanese media report says simulated Taiwanese government compound for training PLA soldiers has expanded nearly threefold since 2020.

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Hong Kong politics

From Stephen Chow films to Beyond hits: PLA sailors share Hong Kong affinity

Crew from Qi Jiguang and Yimeng Shan recount experience in city as residents enjoy final open day.

(From left) Navy trainees Cheng Jiaming, Zhang Zihan, Luo Jiayi and Li Chunliang. Photo: Leopold Chen
Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong marks National Day with hope amid challenges

As the People’s Republic of China turns 76, Hong Kong remains dedicated to national development and local growth.

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong marks National Day with fireworks, naval ship tours and horse races

Residents, tourists enjoy holiday, with some touring PLA vessels, others visiting Sai Kung reservoir and crowds packing Sha Tin Racecourse.

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Hong Kong politics

Hongkongers tour PLA naval ships as trainees sample local delicacies

Residents get hands-on experience on board Qi Jiguang and Yimeng Shan at Stonecutters Island as part of National Day celebrations.

Visitors tour the Qi Jiguang at Stonecutters Island on Wednesday. Photo: Karma Lo
Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong gears up for National Day celebrations as Xi delivers upbeat message

City rolling out a raft of measures and events to celebrate October 1 anniversary, including fireworks display and various offers.

The East Dam of the High Island Reservoir is a popular spot for tourists. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong economy

Restaurants eye 20% business bump as National Day celebrations kick off

Celebrations include National Day fireworks, as well as discounts and perks covering public transport, museums, dining and shopping.

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong welcomes 2 PLA Navy vessels for National Day celebrations

Hundreds of students toured warships Qi Jiguang and Yimeng Shan after the vessels sailed into city’s waters on Tuesday for a four-day port call.

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Science

China deploys prototype of missile defence system with planet-wide coverage

Team says its leap in data processing technology was crucial in design of ‘distributed early warning detection big data platform’.

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On May 20, US President Donald Trump announced he had selected the path forward for his ambitious Golden Dome missile defense shield. A Chinese team has announced it has its own working prototype of a global defence system. Photo: EPA-EFE
China's military weapons

Military journal reveals details about LY-1, China’s new shipborne laser weapon

Article argues output of laser weapon unveiled at Beijing military parade exceeds American Helios and LWSD Mark 2 MOD 0 laser weapons.

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LY-1 laser weapons were unveiled at China’s military parade on September 3 marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Japan and the end of World War II. Photo: AFP
China-Japan relations

China criticises Japan’s laser weapon plans as threat to regional stability

Beijing’s military accuses Tokyo of breaching pacifist limits as Japan invests in land- and sea-based laser systems.

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China's military weapons

The PLA turned a Soviet-era fighter jet into a drone that could swarm Taiwan

Repurposed J-6, which was revealed at the Changchun air show, could be used in a large-scale attack on the island, analyst says.

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