Groups of retired military personnel gather in private around China despite Beijing’s reluctance to mark the politically sensitive anniversary.

Sunday marks the 40th anniversary of the start of the Sino-Vietnamese war in which 7,000 Chinese died, but there will be no commemorations in Beijing.

After US Indo-Pacific commander told Senate panel America needs to strengthen underwater advantage in region, analysts say US may send more nuclear attack submarines and encourage allies to upgrade fleets.

Admiral Phil Davidson tells Senate panel Beijing is seeking to ‘bend, break and replace the existing rules-based international order’ and warns China has become the ‘principal threat’ to American interests, people and allies.

PLA Navy’s first commissioned carrier and training ship for new generation of pilots could lose its distinctive ski-jump flight deck if newer technology takes over.

The growing US-China naval arms race is putting pressure on Beijing to reconsider its long-standing nuclear policy, analysts say.

Beijing expected to have at least six aircraft carrier battle groups by 2035 after it prioritised modernising its navy, and will equip them with electromagnetic launch catapults similar to those of the US.

Cai Yanwei came from the sort of family that faced persecution during the Cultural Revolution, but his skill as a flier kept him alive.

While charge sheet says Sun was responsible for causing huge losses to the state, one source claims accused could face death penalty if he compromised national security.

CCTV report said rocket forces simulated response to attack by ‘imaginary enemy’ while DF-41 drill tested readiness that became media event for domestic and overseas audiences.

Beijing deploys ships, aircraft and ramps up rhetoric as its forces conduct drills close to Taiwanese airspace.

PLA Rocket Force reportedly shot down ‘simulated ballistic target’ almost 250km away and moving at 3km per second.

‘Milestone’ advance on China’s hi-tech goals was a result of cooperation with a Russian company, a shipbuilding source said.

Navy carried out a flight test in the Yellow Sea late last month, though its range of 9,000km is still far behind that of the American and Russian submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

Liaoning is undergoing a revamp at Dalian shipyard, while the Type 001A is expected to start a fourth sea trial in the coming days.

Details are unclear but signs point to deep trouble for Sun Bo over espionage claims.

Graft-buster finds Sun Bo guilty of trading power for financial gain and taking bribes, but sources say he was investigated for passing information about China’s first aircraft carrier to foreign intelligence agents.

Tokyo says it wants to upgrade its Izumo-class destroyers so they can carry and launch fighter jets; the move would be a first since Japan adopted its pacifist constitution.

Experts say a showdown could easily spin out of control amid urgent calls for new security talks before the two major powers stumble into a shooting war.

Wang, who will be buried in Beijing on Monday, worked for China’s paramount leader off and on for decades, and shared his roller-coaster ride through the Cultural Revolution.