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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.

The summer camp cadets show off their skills at the closing ceremony on Sunday. Photo: Edmond So

Hong Kong society

500 PLA summer camp cadets battle heat as they step out of their comfort zone

Combined camp brought together around 350 school pupils and 150 university students for two weeks of military training.

16 Aug 2026 - 7:34PM

Taiwan

How Taiwan is preparing for a PLA sea blockade in its biggest war games

5 Aug 2026 - 12:21AM

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong garrison holds reception marking 99th anniversary of PLA’s founding

2 Aug 2026 - 12:00AM

China’s military

PLA 99th Anniversary

As the People’s Liberation Army marks its 99th anniversary on August 1, one year from the deadline for its centenary goals, its evolution highlights the past, present and future of China’s military strategy.

12 Aug 2026 - 10:12AM

People’s Liberation Army guards of honour march in Beijing at a September 2025 military parade marking the 80th anniversary of China’s victory over Japan in World War II. Photo: Xinhua

China’s military

The PLA at 99: how China’s military went from ragtag rifles to world-class force

From revolutionary group to hi-tech machine, the PLA’s transformation has been a long pursuit of strength and self-reliance.

31 Jul 2026 - 6:44AM

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.

6 Jul 2026 - 9:06PM

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.

6 Jul 2026 - 7:15AM

People pose for pictures with two PLA Navy vessels at Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks on July 4. Photo: Elson Li

China’s warships

Video | PLA Navy ships draw crowds for Hong Kong visit

The guided-missile destroyer Nanning and guided-missile frigate Hengyang arrived for five-day port call to mark Hong Kong’s handover anniversary.

4 Jul 2026 - 7:26PM

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.

2 Jul 2026 - 10:44PMvideocam

Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong’s first batches of free PLA ship tour tickets gone within minutes

Guided-missile destroyer Nanning and frigate Hengyang will be open to the public at Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks on Saturday and Sunday.

30 Jun 2026 - 10:04PM

The guided-missile destroyer Nanning and the guided-missile frigate Hengyang will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday. Photo: Dickson Lee

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.

6 Jul 2026 - 12:05AMvideocam

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

Hong Kong society

Thousands flock to PLA airbase amid Hong Kong handover celebrations

‘I wanted to see aircraft, which is why I applied to visit Shek Kong barracks. They are bigger than I had imagined,’ visitor says.

27 Jun 2026 - 8:42PM

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.

24 Jun 2026 - 10:00PM

Video | PLA barracks in Hong Kong open to public

Thousands flock to the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks to watch training demonstrations and try out military equipment.

21 Jun 2026 - 6:03PM

PLA barracks in Hong Kong open to public to celebrate 29 years since city’s return to Chinese rule

02:22

Hong Kong society

Crowds at PLA barracks in Hong Kong celebrate city’s return to Chinese rule

Some cite patriotic education as Hong Kong Garrison opens doors to public as part of 29th anniversary celebrations of city’s return to Chinese rule.

21 Jun 2026 - 6:13PMvideocam

The Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks opened to visitors at 9am on Saturday. Photo: Dickson Lee

China's military weapons

How China’s home-grown WS-10 engine helped make the country a modern air power

The PLA’s first domestically developed high-thrust turbofan engine continues to play a crucial role 20 years on from its debut.

31 May 2026 - 10:00PMvideocam

China’s military drills

Can PLA training catch up with China’s rapid weapon development?

‘No matter how advanced the equipment is, if people cannot effectively operate it, it remains nothing more than cold steel’: PLA Daily.

19 May 2026 - 9:10AMvideocam

China-Japan relations

Are China and Russia flexing their maritime muscle near Japan?

Tokyo’s recent tracking of three PLA Navy warships transiting Tsushima Strait comes amid heightened regional tensions.

8 May 2026 - 7:00PM

China’s Type 055 guided-missile destroyer, designated “Renhai-class” by Nato, is a cruiser-sized vessel with robust air-defence, anti-submarine and surface-warfare capabilities. Photo: Handout

CIA (Central Intelligence Agency)

Video | Chinese military officers target of new CIA video

US spy agency’s outreach, depicting a disillusioned mid-level officer, risks unsettling fragile calm before April’s Trump-XI summit.

13 Feb 2026 - 5:02PM

US-China relations

CIA targets Chinese military officers in new recruitment video

US spy agency’s outreach, depicting a disillusioned mid-level officer, risks unsettling fragile calm before April’s Trump-XI summit.

13 Feb 2026 - 7:07PMvideocam

China’s military

Xi’s new year greeting reveals PLA Cyberspace Force post in South China Sea

Analyst says deployment signals Chinese military’s cyber warfare capabilities ‘are no longer confined to the mainland’.

12 Feb 2026 - 8:00PMvideocam

CCTV shows a section of China’s cyberspace force stationed on Fiery Cross Reef. Photo: Xinhua

China's military weapons

J-35 jet maker flexes production muscle, pledging to double output in 5 years

New video shows stealth fighter on the runway at SAC in Liaoning as state media says factory will be part of ‘Shenyang Aerospace City’.

9 Jan 2026 - 6:00PMvideocam

A J-35 fighter is shown at SAC’s airfield in Liaoning province, according to a video released by the manufacturer on Tuesday. Photo: Handout

US-Venezuela conflict

Opinion | US invasion of Venezuela no guarantee of hemispheric dominance

By signalling how far it will go to defend its interests in Venezuela, the US might have intensified conflicts closer to home rather than resolving them.

8 Jan 2026 - 9:32PMvideocam

Taiwan

Video | PLA conducts second day of drills around Taiwan

Troops simulate attacks on maritime targets and conduct anti-air and anti-submarine operations to the north and south of the island.

30 Dec 2025 - 4:45PM

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.

28 Nov 2025 - 10:00AMvideocam

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.

17 Nov 2025 - 6:51AMvideocam

Alibaba

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

The report appears to undermine the recent bilateral trade talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, Donald Trump.

15 Nov 2025 - 4:51PM

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.

10 Nov 2025 - 5:03PM

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The People’s Liberation Army (PLA)

500 PLA summer camp cadets battle heat as they step out of their comfort zone

Combined camp brought together around 350 school pupils and 150 university students for two weeks of military training.

How Taiwan is preparing for a PLA sea blockade in its biggest war games

Hong Kong garrison holds reception marking 99th anniversary of PLA’s founding

PLA 99th Anniversary

As the People’s Liberation Army marks its 99th anniversary on August 1, one year from the deadline for its centenary goals, its evolution highlights the past, present and future of China’s military strategy.

The PLA at 99: how China’s military went from ragtag rifles to world-class force

From revolutionary group to hi-tech machine, the PLA’s transformation has been a long pursuit of strength and self-reliance.

‘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.

.css-1pcrwvc{color:#2aa191;}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.

.css-1f6sr3w{color:#727272;}Video | PLA Navy ships draw crowds for Hong Kong visit

The guided-missile destroyer Nanning and guided-missile frigate Hengyang arrived for five-day port call to mark Hong Kong’s handover anniversary.

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.

Hong Kong’s first batches of free PLA ship tour tickets gone within minutes

Guided-missile destroyer Nanning and frigate Hengyang will be open to the public at Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks on Saturday and Sunday.

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.

Thousands flock to PLA airbase amid Hong Kong handover celebrations

‘I wanted to see aircraft, which is why I applied to visit Shek Kong barracks. They are bigger than I had imagined,’ visitor says.

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.

Video | PLA barracks in Hong Kong open to public

Thousands flock to the Ngong Shuen Chau Barracks to watch training demonstrations and try out military equipment.

Crowds at PLA barracks in Hong Kong celebrate city’s return to Chinese rule

Some cite patriotic education as Hong Kong Garrison opens doors to public as part of 29th anniversary celebrations of city’s return to Chinese rule.

How China’s home-grown WS-10 engine helped make the country a modern air power

The PLA’s first domestically developed high-thrust turbofan engine continues to play a crucial role 20 years on from its debut.

Can PLA training catch up with China’s rapid weapon development?

‘No matter how advanced the equipment is, if people cannot effectively operate it, it remains nothing more than cold steel’: PLA Daily.

Are China and Russia flexing their maritime muscle near Japan?

Tokyo’s recent tracking of three PLA Navy warships transiting Tsushima Strait comes amid heightened regional tensions.

Video | Chinese military officers target of new CIA video

US spy agency’s outreach, depicting a disillusioned mid-level officer, risks unsettling fragile calm before April’s Trump-XI summit.

CIA targets Chinese military officers in new recruitment video

US spy agency’s outreach, depicting a disillusioned mid-level officer, risks unsettling fragile calm before April’s Trump-XI summit.

Xi’s new year greeting reveals PLA Cyberspace Force post in South China Sea

Analyst says deployment signals Chinese military’s cyber warfare capabilities ‘are no longer confined to the mainland’.

J-35 jet maker flexes production muscle, pledging to double output in 5 years

New video shows stealth fighter on the runway at SAC in Liaoning as state media says factory will be part of ‘Shenyang Aerospace City’.

Opinion | US invasion of Venezuela no guarantee of hemispheric dominance

By signalling how far it will go to defend its interests in Venezuela, the US might have intensified conflicts closer to home rather than resolving them.

Video | PLA conducts second day of drills around Taiwan

Troops simulate attacks on maritime targets and conduct anti-air and anti-submarine operations to the north and south of the island.

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.

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.

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

The report appears to undermine the recent bilateral trade talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, Donald Trump.

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.

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

Video | PLA Navy ships draw crowds for Hong Kong visit