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China military reform

China military reform
Latest news, features and opinion on the military in China, including the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the development of warships, aircraft carriers and fighter jets, spending on the armed forces and reforms and modernisation. US-China and mainland-Taiwan military tensions and the deployment of China’s armed forces overseas are also covered.
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
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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China's military weapons

China set to supercharge radar, engine and AI in fifth-gen J-20 stealth fighter

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China’s military

Opinion | How China’s history links military strength to fighting corruption

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China's military weapons

China’s Hurricane 3000 microwave weapon can ‘sweep and kill’ drone swarms at 3km

The Hurricane 3000 has a longer range than its US Army equivalent and can carry out ‘diverse air defence missions’, developer Norinco says.

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The high-power microwave system was showcased during the September 3 Victory Day parade in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua
China-Latin America relations

Will Beijing look to US capture of Nicolas Maduro for lessons on Taiwan?

Analysts say US operation should serve as warning to separatist forces in Taiwan following PLA drills targeting the island’s leadership.

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China's military weapons

Is China’s truck-mounted catapult system enabling merchant aircraft carriers?

Scalable truck-based launch track pictured on modified cargo ship raises questions about drone war potential.

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China's military weapons

China’s ‘carrier killer’ hypersonic missile YJ-20 in final testing: video

Chinese military’s recently unveiled longest-range missile appears to be nearing mass production.

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The Chinese military released footage on Sunday of the YJ-20 hypersonic missile in a test launch from a Type 055 destroyer. Photo: China Military Bugle
China's military weapons

Chinese military tightens review of weapons pricing to fight corruption

CMC Equipment Development Department releases new rules amid push for quality equipment and ‘professional ethics’.

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China’s air force

China’s military calls for tip-offs as it targets corruption in air force

Notice urges public to come forward with information about ‘irregular’ activities, the first such request for a specific military branch.

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China's military weapons

Why China’s rapid military build-up is ‘hardly the whole story’

The PLA has been moving fast to modernise its arsenal and warfare strategy, but it’s seen as ‘seriously deficient’ in some areas.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

Newcomers in charge at PLA’s corruption-hit command overseeing Taiwan

State media shows Yang Zhibin and Zhang Jichun at official event, suggesting they are heading the Eastern Theatre Command.

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PLA Air Force Lieutenant General Yang Zhibin, pictured in uniform, is shown at the annual commemoration of the Nanking massacre on Saturday. Photo: CCTV
China's military weapons

Chinese tank, upgraded for high altitudes, could be sent to border with India

The Type 99B has been designed for ‘rapid and sustained combat operations’ in areas like the Himalayas, according to state media.

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China-South Korea relations

Why South Korea poses a major challenge to China’s Middle East arms export drive

Both neighbours hope to expand exports to the region, but the Koreans may be better placed due to systems integration and political concerns.

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China's military weapons

China’s unmanned Moyujian strike helicopter is ready for plateau combat tests

At Aero Asia in Zhuhai, developer says it put high-altitude drone with missiles through live-fire target tests above 4,000 metres.

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The Moyujian’s next round of testing will be “a target test mission using satellite communication and beyond visual line of sight control, at an altitude of over 6,000 metres”. Photo: CCTV
China's military weapons

Is China’s rapid anti-submarine drone progress adding to concerns of Japan, US?

After decades within the confines of the first island chain, the PLA Navy is unveiling a succession of game-changing advances.

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The full-scale model of a Chinese Wing Loong-X UAV on display during the Dubai Airshow in November. Photo: AFP
China’s military

Chinese military issues new rules to ‘prioritise strict political discipline’

Effective in January, latest revisions come amid Beijing’s anti-corruption campaign that has led to recent downfall of several top generals.

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China's military weapons

China’s scandal-hit arms firms drag down regional sales in record-breaking year

SIPRI Top 100 reveals stark divide in performance for the only region to record a drop in the midst of rising revenues globally.

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China’s military drills

Could the PLA use long-range rockets against ships in an attack on Taiwan?

State TV footage shows PHL-03 launchers hitting moving maritime targets during drill.

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Beijing’s long-range rocket launchers can hit moving targets at sea as well as land, according to CCTV. Photo: CCTV
Taiwan

Taiwan’s William Lai accused of stoking fear with 2027 countdown confusion

Critics question where the money will come from to finance Lai’s plans for a massive increase in military spending.

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China’s military

China has minimal nuclear arsenal, seeks no arms race with US: white paper

Document criticises Trump’s planned Golden Dome system, saying it would ‘pose a serious threat to outer space security’.

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War and conflict

Opinion | Why advances in conventional weapons tech should worry China, Russia and US

Washington, Beijing and Moscow must realise that rapid expansion of precision non-nuclear strike capabilities does not deter war, but instead invites miscalculation.

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Illustration: Craig Stephens
China’s military

China’s private defence companies see opportunities amid growing conflicts

Ukraine war and Kashmir conflict highlight ‘broad stage’ for firms to meet demand for affordable and reliable equipment, insiders say.

While China’s state-owned defence conglomerates continue to dominate weapons development, private companies have increasingly entered the sector in recent years under the country’s military-civil fusion strategy. Photo: Handout
China's military weapons

China’s military eases physical requirements for pilots based on new cockpits

Changes have been made to height, weight and limb length criteria, taking into account factors like aircraft upgrades, PLA Daily says.

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China's military weapons

China-US-Russia rivalry for Middle East stealth fighter sales on show in Dubai

Analysts say China’s increasingly competitive J-35 is the one to watch among non-US allies as market splits on geopolitical lines.

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China’s fourth plenum

Opinion | 15th five-year plan charts a course for China’s modernisation

By building on past successes and shoring up areas of weakness, China can lay firm foundations to achieve socialist modernisation.

Illustration: Craig Stephens
China’s military drills

China’s aircraft carriers put to ‘train-as-you-fight’ test beyond island chains

PLA Daily sheds new light on navy’s drills to increase launch frequency and far-sea combat readiness.

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The PLA Daily says the Liaoning aircraft carrier has conducted “train-as-you-fight” drills more than 10 times beyond the first island chain. Photo: Xinhua via AP
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's military weapons

China’s first 076 ‘drone carrier’ amphibious assault ship begins sea trials

Extended flight deck makes Type 076 one of the world’s largest vessels of its kind, with PLA Navy delivery expected by end of 2026.

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