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China’s military drills

China’s military drills
Latest news and updates on military drills involving the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), including manoeuvres near Taiwan and joint exercises with other nations.
Three trucks linked to form what appears to be a launch track for large drones have been spotted at a dock in China. Photo: Handout
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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Taiwan

Was PLA’s Taiwan drill testing ‘inexpensive’ ways to wear down air defences?

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China-Japan relations

Beijing hits back at ‘extremely hypocritical’ critics of drills around Taiwan

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Taiwan

Editorial | Powerful PLA drill shows US arms sales don’t help Taiwan Strait stability

As the US risks sending the wrong signal to Taiwan, Beijing has responded with an unambiguous warning against the island moving towards independence.

Chinese ships patrol as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) conducts military drills on Pingtan island, in eastern China’s Fujian province, the closest point to Taiwan, on December 30, 2025. Photo: AFP
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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Taiwan

Video | PLA conducts second day of drills around Taiwan

Troops simulate attacks on maritime targets and conduct anti-air and anti-submarine operations to the north and south of the island.

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US-China relations

‘No worries’: Trump plays down Beijing’s military drills around Taiwan

Trump dismisses ‘routine’ drills in Taiwan Strait even as US arms sales hit record high and Pentagon repeats 2027 timeline.

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US President Donald Trump spoke about China’s military drills around Taiwan during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
US-China relations

China’s PLA simulated battles near Mexico, Cuba and Taiwan, CCTV report shows

Rare insight revealed on state television in footage from a PLA wargaming event in central China where dozens of systems were demonstrated.

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Taiwan

Opinion | Taiwan intervention may just spell the end of the West

Mutual economic destruction or worse for China and the West should be enough to deter everyone from internationalising the Taiwan question.

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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
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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The Type 99B main battle tank has been designed for improved performance at high altitudes, according to state television. Photo: CCTV
China-Japan relations

Donald Trump left facing ‘dilemma’ as China-Japan spat worsens: analyst

White House navigates backing long-time ally Japan while preserving trade truce with China amid fraying ties between the Asian neighbours.

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China-Japan relations

US joins Japan for military exercise amid Takaichi China row

The Japanese and US air forces flew a training mission over the Sea of Japan in wake of complaints from Tokyo about Chinese military activities in the region.

China-Japan relations

China-Russia bomber patrol ‘a serious security’ concern, Japanese minister says

Defence chief Shinjiro Koizumi says the exercise was ‘clearly intended to be a demonstration’ against Japan at a time of heightened tension.

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A Chinese J-16 fighter and a Russian Tu-95 bomber. Photo: Handout
China-Japan relations

China ‘did tell Japan about air drills but not in enough detail to avoid danger’

Both sides have been trading barbs following a stand-off between fighters during Saturday’s training exercise involving the Liaoning carrier.

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A Chinese J-15 fighter jet prepares to land on the Liaoning aircraft carrier in this photo released in December 2021. China has released more details about Saturday’s mid-air stand-off between Chinese and Japanese fighter jets. Photo: AP
Air Defence Identification Zone

2 Chinese, 7 Russian jets enter South Korean air defence zone near Japan

Chinese defence ministry cites annual joint strategic patrol with Russia, hours after South Korea says aircraft did not violate airspace.

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China-New Zealand relations

7 Chinese warships followed our navy vessel in East Asia, New Zealand says

Wellington says ship was to carry out surveillance and deterrence activities to bolster UN Security Council sanctions against North Korea.

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China-Japan relations

Japan keeps tabs on 4 Chinese navy ships near Okinawa after weekend stand-off

China’s ‘capabilities in long-range, unmanned combat operations mean we can neutralise any threat with precision’, commentator tells CCTV.

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Japan’s Self-Defence Forces says China’s Liaoning carrier, pictured in 2021, and three guided missile destroyers are continuing drills in waters near Japan. Photo: Handout via Reuters
Taiwan

PLA holds urban warfare drill as Taipei looks to boost ‘asymmetric capabilities’

State television report showing operation in war-torn city airs soon after Taiwanese leader proposed extra US$40 billion in defence spending.

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China-Australia relations

Australia on high alert as PLA Navy fleet in Philippine Sea sails south

Type 075 amphibious attack ship triggers concern in Canberra after Chinese navy’s unprecedented circumnavigation of Australia this year.

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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

PLA’s drone carrier on fast track to deployment with apparent second sea trial

A vessel believed to be the Sichuan, a key asset for potential amphibious operations against Taiwan, departs Shanghai shipyard.

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China’s first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, sets sail from a shipyard in Shanghai on November 14 for its first sea trial. Photo: Xinhua
China military reform

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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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’s JL-1 missile beats US rivals, but will launch platform hold it back?

The air-launched missile completes China’s nuclear triad and could pose a threat to Alaska, but it has limitations, defence magazine says.

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China’s JL-1 missile makes its debut at the Victory Day military parade in Beijing on September 3. Photo: VCG/VCG via Getty Images
China-Japan relations

Will China ramp up military activity near Japan over Takaichi’s comments?

PLA activities near the disputed Diaoyus possible if tensions over Japanese leader’s Taiwan remarks escalate, analysts say.

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The Diaoyu Islands, known as the Senkakus in Japan, have long been a source of tensions between Tokyo and Beijing. Photo: Kyodo
Fujian Type 003 aircraft carrier

China’s Fujian carrier completes first training shortly after entering service

‘First maritime live-force training’ since November 5 commissioning comes at a time of growing tensions with Japan over Taiwan comments.

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China’s aircraft carriers

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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