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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.
The CIA ‌rolled out a video on Thursday in a bid to recruit military informants in China. Image: CIA via YouTube
US-China relations

CIA post new video to recruit Chinese military officers as informants

The spy agency’s latest effort depicts a disillusioned mid-level officer and comes soon after the ousting of China’s top general.

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China’s military

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

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China's military weapons

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

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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.

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Ousted president Nicolas Maduro of Venezuela (second from right) and his wife Cilia Flores (second from left) arrive at the Wall Street Heliport in the New York City borough of Manhattan on January 5. Photo: TNS
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.

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?

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
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.

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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.

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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The US Space Force’s Remote Modular Terminal is designed to jam enemy satellite signals. Photo: US Space Force
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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Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te delivers the annual Double Tenth address on October 10 in Taipei. Photo: EPA
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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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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Video has emerged of the PLA’s self-propelled jack-up barge sailing in an unidentified body of water with its road ramp and signature eight struts raised. Photo: Handout
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.

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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The PLA’s QBZ-191 assault rifle reflects China’s commitment to boosting combat effectiveness to meet the demands of future conflicts. Photo: Weibo/深海猎人Enterprise-CVN80
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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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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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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According to Li Chao, a pilot from the PLA’s Western Theatre Command, the foreign jets had “clear intentions” of intersecting and provoking the Chinese aircraft. Photo: CCTV
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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Beijing has expanded construction of structures resembling Taiwan’s key government buildings in its military base in Inner Mongolia, according to new satellite images obtained by a Japanese think tank. Photo: Maxar
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.

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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The Hong Kong Jockey Club said more than 13,000 mainlanders visited the Sha Tin Racecourse for the National Day Cup, a record Photo: Kenneth Chan.
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.

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.

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