https://www.scmp.com/rss/525660/feed Albee was previously an English-language China reporter for AFP, New York Times, Reuters and AP. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Albee Zhang Albee Zhang A US and Philippine-led military drill seen as targeting China grew this year into the largest yet, prompting Chinese experts to warn that the annual event will exacerbate regional instability amid heightened tensions in the Indo-Pacific. The decades-old drill called Balikatan, which means shoulder to shoulder, reached record highs in terms of scale, scope of participation and training complexity this year, according to a report published by the South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3354621/why-largest-ever-us-philippine-drill-and-japans-role-it-making-china-uneasy?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3354621/why-largest-ever-us-philippine-drill-and-japans-role-it-making-china-uneasy?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 23 May 2026 10:00:17 +0000 Albee Zhang,Alcott Wei Albee Zhang,Alcott Wei All three of China’s aircraft carriers could soon be able to operate the country’s J-35 stealth fighter, which Chinese experts say would “significantly” bolster the PLA Navy’s combat abilities. Currently, only China’s most advanced carrier, the Fujian, can host the J-35 as it has an electromagnetic catapult to assist the fifth-generation fighter into the air. The Liaoning and Shandong carriers launch J-15 fighters from an upwardly curved “ski-jump” deck. However, there are signs that the two... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3354563/could-all-chinas-aircraft-carriers-soon-operate-j-35-stealth-fighters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3354563/could-all-chinas-aircraft-carriers-soon-operate-j-35-stealth-fighters?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 22 May 2026 12:00:11 +0000 Albee Zhang Albee Zhang China’s Liaoning aircraft carrier on Tuesday kicked off training that will include live-fire drills in the western Pacific, a move poised to draw attention from Japan amid tense bilateral ties. The Liaoning-led carrier task group’s training will include far-sea tactical flight, live-fire exercises, and providing support and cover, according to state broadcaster CCTV. The Chinese navy did not specify the exact location of this week’s training, but said they were routine exercises in line with the... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3354115/chinese-aircraft-carrier-kicks-drills-western-pacific-amid-tense-japan-ties?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3354115/chinese-aircraft-carrier-kicks-drills-western-pacific-amid-tense-japan-ties?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2026 10:22:44 +0000 Albee Zhang Albee Zhang China’s military mouthpiece has issued a rare warning that personnel may be insufficiently trained to operate new weapons, including unmanned systems, despite Beijing’s rapid advances in hardware. Some military units showed a low level of integration between personnel and equipment, Monday’s PLA Daily article cautioned, highlighting limited trust in systems and weak coordination between human operators and technology. It warned that without proper integration, “even advanced equipment may fail... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3353974/can-pla-training-catch-chinas-rapid-weapon-development?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3353974/can-pla-training-catch-chinas-rapid-weapon-development?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 19 May 2026 01:00:08 +0000 Albee Zhang Albee Zhang Wave-powered unmanned surface vessels (USV) could be used for maritime rights and law enforcement, researchers said, as Beijing faces heightened tensions in contested waters including the South China Sea. Writing in the latest issue of Naval and Merchant Ships, owned by China State Shipbuilding Corporation, Chen Xin and Chen Ruimiao said the self-powered vessels could be “of great value” to the sustainable management of distant waters. By converting vertical wave motion into forward thrust using... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3353721/can-ai-assisted-unmanned-vessels-be-beijings-answer-south-china-sea-patrols?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3353721/can-ai-assisted-unmanned-vessels-be-beijings-answer-south-china-sea-patrols?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 16 May 2026 02:00:16 +0000 Albee Zhang,Josephine Ma Albee Zhang,Josephine Ma The summit between presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump was watched closely around the world for welcome moves towards stability but it also triggered anxiety among traditional US allies. As he returned home on Air Force One on Friday, Trump had a phone call with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. “We exchanged views, centring on various issues surrounding China, including the economy – encompassing economic security – and security matters,” Takaichi wrote in a social media post. She... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3353757/what-did-american-allies-make-trumps-trip-china-meet-xi?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3353757/what-did-american-allies-make-trumps-trip-china-meet-xi?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 15 May 2026 12:42:11 +0000