appConfigEntityId

bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

isVideo

articlePageQuery

article

articleSchemaContent

content

hooksArticlePageAdvertisementConfigArticle

appConfig

filter

json

liveArticle

SCMP

Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China military stories of the year. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing.
1. China’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, enters service
China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, entered into service on Wednesday at a grand ceremony in Sanya, Hainan province, according to state media reports on Friday.
2. How did China’s J-10C match up to French Rafale in India-Pakistan aerial clash?
Reports that France’s advanced Rafale fighter jet came off second best against the China-made J-10C Vigorous Dragon in a dogfight between the Indian and Pakistan air forces on May 7 attracted global attention.
3. Will the JL-1 missile be China’s final word on airborne nuclear deterrence?

The debut of the Jinglei-1 (JL-1) long-range missile means China has a complete air, sea and land nuclear deterrent, one that will improve with the next generation of strategic bombers, according to analysts.
4. Chinese military’s new underwater unmanned systems are ‘disruptive’: journal
A Chinese military journal has described the People’s Liberation Army’s latest underwater unmanned systems as “disruptive” and highlighted their intelligent capabilities.
5. China’s jumbo Sichuan 076 amphibious assault ship completes first sea trials
China’s next-generation “drone-carrier” amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, completed its first sea trials on Sunday afternoon, state broadcaster CCTV said.
6. AI, lasers and chips: the science and tech of China’s military parade

China’s military parade on September 3 – featuring the latest AI-powered uncrewed vehicles, laser weapons and missiles – signalled an arms race fuelled by scientific and technological advances.
7. Beyond the parade, what China’s new stealth drones mean for future air combat
Among the many pieces of advanced military hardware showcased during the Victory Day parade in Beijing on September 3 were at least four unnamed drones, at least one of which was a “loyal wingman”, a stealth attack drone supposedly capable of coordinated aerial warfare alongside crewed jets, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
8. Chinese weapons giant develops anti-drone barrage system to beat wartime swarms
China has unveiled the world’s first close-in anti-drone barrage weapon system, a groundbreaking innovation against drone swarms and high-speed missiles, according to its developer.
9. Chinese military lab creates mosquito-sized microdrone for covert operations
A robotics laboratory at the National University of Defence Technology (NUDT) in central China’s Hunan province has developed a mosquito-sized drone for covert military operations.
10. Chinese scientists build first jet fuel-powered engine for Mach 16 flight
The world’s first oblique detonation engine (ODE) powered by standard aviation kerosene has been successfully tested by Chinese scientists, marking a potential game-changer in hypersonic propulsion that could redefine the limits of air and space travel.


Chinese archaeologist pleads guilty, firms flee Singapore’s costs: 5 weekend reads you missed

China doubts Musk’s Starship future; ex-TSMC chip prodigy returns: SCMP’s 7 highlights

Consort Wan’s dark story, the good and bad with GLP-1s: 7 Lifestyle highlights

Xpeng’s driverless cabs; Tesla launches FSD in China; Nio slams price wars: 7 EV reads

SCMP Highlights

Fujian enters service, J-10C’s combat action: 10 China military developments in 2025

The Fujian, China’s newest aircraft carrier, is commissioned on November 5 in Sanya, Hainan province. Photo: Xinhua


The JL-1 can be carried on a modified H-6N strategic bomber. Photo: AFP

The airborne uncrewed warfare formation makes an appearance during China’s military parade in Beijing. Photo: Xinhua

From Labubu to blockbuster films, was 2025 the year China’s soft power went mainstream?

Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

 Illustration: Henry Wong

Chongqing has become known as China’s “cyberpunk capital”. Photo: Getty Images

Kenyan social media influencers (from left) MC Jessy, Betty Kyallo, Terence Creative and Mulamwah during their visit to China. Photo: Instagram

Tourists pose for photos with a wall painting featuring the hit animated film “Ne Zha 2” in Dongfeng Village in east China’s Shandong Province on March 1, 2025. Photo: Xinhua

DeepSeek’s game-changing rise, China’s robot boot camps: 7 AI 2025 breakthroughs

DeepSeek is being touted as China’s secret weapon in the artificial intelligence war with the US. Photo: AFP

Technicians train humanoid robots at a data collection centre run by the robotics company Agibot in Shanghai. Photo: Getty Images

Sex dolls made by WMDoll are on display at its headquarters in Zhongshan, a city in southern Guangdong province. Photo: Coco Feng

EngineAI Robotics’ humanoid T800 is capable of delivering Bruce Lee-style roundhouse kicks with great force. Photo: Handout

News

China

Military

From hardware on show at China’s military parade to anti-drone systems, here are some of the year’s most notable People’s Liberation Army stories


From hardware on show at China’s military parade to anti-drone systems, here are some of the year’s most notable People’s Liberation Army stories.


Fujian enters service, J-10C’s combat action: 10 China military developments in 2025

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}From hardware on show at China’s military parade to anti-drone systems, here are some of the year’s most notable People’s Liberation Army stories

1. China’s most advanced aircraft carrier, the Fujian, enters service

2. How did China’s J-10C match up to French Rafale in India-Pakistan aerial clash?

From hardware on show at China’s military parade to anti-drone systems, here are some of the year’s most notable People’s Liberation Army stories