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Aerospace: Geopolitics

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Aerospace: Geopolitics
Track China’s ambitious aerospace advancements, from the home-grown commercial aircraft to space exploration, and their global impact.
Starlink says taking its satellites to a lower orbit this year will allow a more than 80 per cent cut to ballistic decay time. Photo: TNS
Science

SpaceX will move 4,400 satellites to a lower orbit after China cited safety risk

Starlink’s Michael Nicolls declares ‘significant reconfiguration’ to be coordinated with regulators, other operators and US Space Command.

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Science

China warns satellites from Elon Musk’s Starlink are ‘safety and security’ risk

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Private jets

Why are rich Chinese moving private jets offshore, slumming it in budget seats?

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US-China trade war

‘Bad policy’: China’s drone makers to shrug off US ban, analysts say

The addition of foreign drone makers, including those from China, to a US trade blacklist is unlikely to heat up relations, observers said.

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Dai Shuying operates a plant protection drone under the guidance of her grandson Wang Tiantian in east China’s Anhui province. Photo: Xinhua
China airliners

Maker of China’s C919 receives capital injection amid supply chain challenges

The state-owned Comac has received more funding from its stakeholders, a timely infusion as the company attempts to clear a backlog of C919 orders.

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US-China relations

From reusable rockets to deep-sea dives: how China closes tech gap on the West

China sees outer space and the polar regions as ‘strategic new frontiers’ vital to its future security – and is investing accordingly.

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China manufacturing

Engine shortages crimp China’s C919 deliveries amid global aerospace bottleneck

State-owned planemaker deploys teams to CFM – a joint venture between GE and Safran that makes the C919’s Leap-1C engine – as suppliers race to meet demand.

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A model of GE Aerospace’s Leap-1C engine, which is used exclusively to power China’s home-grown Comac C919 aircraft, is displayed at last week’s China International Import Expo in Shanghai. Photo: Frank Chen
Science

China joins space factory race with breakthrough in inflatable module technology

Those who master ‘manufacture in space will gain the initiative in future space economic development’, according to Institute of Mechanics.

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Space

Japan to put hypersonic missile-tracking technology to the test in space

Japanese cargo spacecraft HTV-X is on a resupply mission at the ISS, and it will later be used to monitor an HGV with infrared sensors.

China airliners

In an international win for China’s C919, Brunei accepts Chinese aviation rules

Recognition of aviation standards, essential for entry into global markets, could pave the way for China’s jets in Southeast Asia.

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China’s home-grown C919 jetliner is seen at an airshow in Guangdong province on November 12. Photo: Xinhua
China technology

China expands frontiers in space, deep sea, poles amid fierce geopolitical race

From deep in the Arctic Ocean to outer space and cyberspace, Beijing’s focus on technological advancements is reshaping the global strategic balance.

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Members of a Chinese scientific expedition team deploy ice-based buoys in the high-latitude waters of the Arctic Ocean on August 25. Photo: Xinhua
US-China trade war

‘Aggressive’: how China’s airlines may become latest front in Trump’s trade war

As Washington mulls barring Chinese carriers from Russian skies, analysts warn of potential flight disruptions and higher fares.

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China’s C919 passenger plane

With China’s C919 jet facing order delays, is Boeing waiting in the wings?

C919 engine supply issues, mutual desire for trade breakthrough may lead Chinese airlines to buy planes from US giant, analysts said.

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Science

China’s satellite spies on US spycraft in a ‘tit-for-tat’ orbital stand-off

Pictures mark first time Chinese operator has made public such dynamic space-based imagery in move analysts call strategic tit-for-tat.

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An image of WorldView Legion 2, a satellite operated by US-based Maxar Intelligence. Credit: Handout
China airliners

AirAsia eyes deal for C919 passenger jet, in bid to tap China-Asean market

If the deal is struck, it would mark the first overseas order for the Chinese passenger jet.

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The C919, China’s first domestically developed narrowbody passenger jet. Photo: SCMP
China airliners

China’s aircraft maker Comac wins one of its biggest overseas orders for C909 jets

The landmark agreement could see Air Cambodia buy up to 20 of the jets, highlighting Comac’s growing presence in the region.

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China trade

China, Pakistan pledge stronger tech and trade cooperation amid US charm offensive

Agriculture, space and trade top the agenda during Pakistani prime minister’s visit to Beijing.

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China airliners

China starts aviation training for Southeast Asia amid C919, home-grown jet push

China’s top civil aviation manufacturer wants to break Airbus and Boeing’s grip on global industry – and Asean is its biggest overseas market.

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A C919 passenger plane of China Commercial Aircraft Corporation performs a flight show at the Singapore Air Show on February 20, 2024. Photo: Xinhua
Aerospace: Policy

China races to roll out low-orbit satellite internet to rival Musk’s Starlink

China is preparing to commercialise its satellite internet networks as it strives to develop equivalents to the SpaceX system.

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China technology

Opinion | For China and the Middle East, a Space Silk Road is written in the stars

Traditionally reliant on the US, Arab countries are turning to Beijing as relations with Washington sour over the Gaza humanitarian crisis.

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Science

US Earth imaging satellite fleet is creating ‘low-cost orbital landmines’: China

Chinese Academy of Sciences software scientists say Planet Labs’ Dove constellation risks uncontrolled re-entry and potential collisions.

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A team of Chinese researchers is calling on regulators to act as low Earth orbit becomes more crowded with in-use and defunct satellites. Illustration: Shutterstock
Science

Chinese scientists break design ‘curse’ that killed US Navy’s drone programme

Research team says a revolutionary software design could provide ‘critical technical support’ for next-generation warplanes.

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The US X-47B programme was cancelled 10 years ago. Photo: AP
China-EU relations

Airbus signs fresh deal with Chinese partner amid talk of massive China order

Airbus will localise more production of its A321 jet in China as part of the agreement, which comes just ahead of a key China-EU summit.

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Science

China’s Tianlong-3 rocket passes critical test a year after explosive mishap

Space Pioneer unveils plan to allow ordinary people to ‘take a rocket like they take a plane, making global one-hour travel possible’.

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US-China relations

Trump wants to ground China’s drones – but have they flown too high to reach?

An executive order to limit China’s market penetration and boost the US’ capacity in drones might be too little, too late.

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Illustration: Henry Wong
Comac

Decoding the future of China’s C919 jet in a shifting aviation landscape

In the latest China Future Tech webinar, experts discuss questions surrounding home-grown Chinese passenger jet.

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Models of aircraft, including the C919, are displayed at the Comac pavilion during the 55th International Paris Airshow, June 18, 2025. Photo: Reuters
China airliners

As skies in Mideast close, China airlines have key advantage – Russian airspace

In a sky divided by conflict, some companies face longer, costlier routes – giving Chinese firms a competitive edge, analysts say.

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Science

Mengzhou spacecraft for China’s moon-landing mission passes landmark test flight

In safety test, safety capsule touched down with airbag cushioning to ensure astronauts survive during rocket failures at lift-off.

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