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China's military weapons

China's military weapons
Latest news, features and opinion on the military in China, including the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), the development of warships, aircraft carriers and fighter jets, spending on the armed forces and reforms and modernisation. US-China and mainland-Taiwan military tensions and the deployment of China’s armed forces overseas are also covered.
Open Questions series

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

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Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

Zheng Yongnian on what US’ ‘neocolonialism’, Venezuela operation mean for China

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15
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez

Liu Qian on Chinese innovation, the US rivalry and women holding up half the sky

7
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez Garcia

Fuchsia Dunlop tells how she fell for China’s cuisine and names her perfect dish

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5
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

80 years on from WWII, China’s interests lie in peaceful Asia-Pacific: Mitter

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18
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen

‘Delusional’: Jeffrey Sachs on why Western hegemony has ended

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93
Illustration: Henry Wong

Scholar Jing Qian on right-sizing China’s economy in the age of Trump

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40
Illustration: Lau Ka-kuen
MORE FROM THIS SERIES
The nozzle was tested on a CK-300 drone. Photo: NUAA
Science

Could this thrust device give Chinese drones an edge over F-35s?

An aerodynamic tail nozzle designed in Nanjing proves its mettle in a high-subsonic speed drone test.

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China’s military

Has the YJ-15 missile been deployed to the Chinese navy? A photo gives clues

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US-China relations

US accuses China of secret nuclear testing after offering Beijing arms treaty

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US-China relations

Trump balks at nuclear limit extension, calls for new US-China-Russia deal

For first time in half a century, the world is without a legally binding agreement to control nuclear weapons, as New Start accord expires.

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Russian soldiers load Iskander-M short-range ballistic missile launchers as part of a June 2024 drill to train troops in using tactical nuclear weapons. Photo: Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP
UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles)

Could China’s first hybrid transport drone be a ‘game changer’ in Taiwan Strait?

The CH YH-1000S, an unmanned vehicle that is considered capable of supplying combat troops, completed its maiden flight over the weekend.

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Taiwan

Has China’s GJ-21 stealth attack drone joined sea trials for Type 076 Sichuan?

Photos circulating on social media have sparked speculation that the PLA Navy’s amphibious assault ship has entered a new phase of testing.

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United States

Opinion | With US-Russia treaty set to expire, threat of a new nuclear arms race grows

In a fragmented multilateral environment, the world could face even greater danger from nuclear proliferation than during the Cold War.

US president George Bush and Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev exchange documents after signing the START arms reduction treaty on July 31, 1991. Photo: Reuters
US-China relations

Why the collapse of the last US-Russia nuclear treaty matters for China

Analysts warn expiry of New Start could trigger vicious circle and three-way arms race between Beijing, Washington and Moscow.

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China’s air force

China’s J-10C stars at Singapore Airshow after lead role in India-Pakistan war

Beijing is eyeing the Southeast Asian market after the 4.5-generation fighter raised its international profile by shooting down a Rafale jet.

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ICBMs

China grows nuclear arsenal as last US-Russia limits expire

President Xi Jinping plans to further expand China’s nuclear weapons stockpile, while caps on US and Russian deployments end this week.

A Chinese DF-5C intercontinental strategic nuclear missile on display at a military parade. (Photo: EPA)
Pakistan

Pakistan’s ‘affordable’ China-developed jet: a victim of its own success?

At half the price of an F-16, the JF-17 is attracting new buyers that Islamabad may struggle to actually supply.

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JF-17 fighter jets of Pakistan’s Air Force perform a fly past near the port city of Karachi in February last year. Photo: AFP
China military reform

China’s growing military power

Chinese President Xi Jinping is boosting the nation’s defence capabilities ahead of the 2027 centenary of the People’s Liberation Army. He has overseen improvements in hardware, including the expansion of the nuclear weapons programme, and tightened his control through high-level purges of generals.

China military reform

China’s new YJ-18C missile: a logistics killer for US Navy?

Subsonic land-attack cruise weapon can be repurposed for anti-ship use, Chinese military magazine says.

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South China Sea

China patrols around Scarborough Shoal, days after US-Philippine drills

‘Combat readiness patrols’ meant to counter ‘infringement and provocative actions’, PLA Southern Theatre Command says.

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H-6K bombers armed with anti-ship missiles took part in the patrols, according to Chinese state media. Photo: CCTV
China military reform

Has China’s game-changer PL-17 long-range missile finally been seen up close?

Photo on Chinese social media appears to show full-size model of missile that may pose threat to US air dominance in Pacific, analysts say.

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A PLA J-16 fighter jet is seen loaded with missiles including the PL-10, PL-12, PL-15 and the bigger PL-17, which observers say is the world’s longest-range air-to-air missile. Photo: Handout
China’s air force

Are China’s J-20A stealth fighters now updated with high-thrust WS-15 engines?

Footage of flight tests suggests aircraft equipped with the home-grown engine is in the pre-delivery testing phase.

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US-China relations

Would Chinese or US supply lines be more vulnerable in a Pacific conflict?

AI-assisted modelling by the Heritage Foundation finds critical risks to fuel and munitions on both sides.

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United States

The US is working on cheaper munitions. Should China follow its lead?

China’s massive industrial chain and ability to control production costs are clear advantages over the US, article says.

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A Chinese military magazine cites the L3Harris Wolf Pack weapon system as a path the US may take to increase its low-cost munitions. Photo: Handout
China’s aircraft carriers

Shandong’s use of PLA dry dock near South China Sea suggests carrier milestone

China may avoid a ‘carrier gap’ and could support carrier operations along the Indian Ocean to the Middle East and beyond, analysts say.

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US-Venezuela conflict

Trump says US used secret ‘discombobulator’ weapon in Maduro raid

He said the device made enemy equipment ‘not work’, and the Venezuelan forces were unable to use their ‘Russian and Chinese rockets’.

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Thailand

Why Thailand, a US treaty ally, is stocking up on Chinese weapons

Bangkok’s recent purchases of Chinese military hardware include tanks, missiles and ships, while a submarine deal is back on track.

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The Royal Thai Army is expected to add around 20 new Chinese-made VN-1 armoured vehicles to its existing fleet of more than 100. Photo: X
UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles)

1 soldier, 200 drones: China showcases rapid launch in swarm warfare tactics

State broadcaster details how intelligent tech is used in the PLA’s ability to control masses of autonomous aircraft.

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The PLA has released fresh details of its tests of AI-enabled drone swarm warfare by the National University of Defence Technology. Photo: CCTV
United States

How 1,000 Chinese J-20s could challenge US dominance in the Indo-Pacific

Report finds ‘dramatic increase’ over past five years in Beijing’s capacity to contest Western air power, citing ‘highly capable’ fighters.

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Drones

Could China draw battlefield inspiration from Ukraine’s drone-borne micro bombs?

Leading defence scientist shares details of the creative ways Ukrainian forces are modifying hand grenades and other devices.

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China’s navy

New details of China’s H-6J maritime strike bomber: more vision, more range, more roles

Naval variant of PLA Air Force’s H-6K is primarily designed as an anti-ship weapon, key to deterring vessels in various conflict scenarios.

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The H-6 series of aircraft is the PLA’s primary operational bomber force. Photo: Handout
China’s aircraft carriers

China’s next generation of warships will be propelled by a 50MW gas turbine

The advanced technology is part of Beijing’s push to establish a self-reliant supply chain for sectors deemed critical to national security.

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China State Shipbuilding Corporation said it had achieved “full self-sufficiency across the entire process, from design and manufacturing to testing and validation”. Photo: Weibo/单手搓核弹
Taiwan

Type 075, the PLA amphibious ‘light aircraft carrier’ key to Taiwan strategy

The Hainan and its three sister ships are expected to form the backbone of the PLA Navy’s large-scale landing capability.

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Fujian Type 003 aircraft carrier

What the Fujian’s design flaws mean for China’s next aircraft carrier

Military magazine pinpoints design flaws in the Fujian carrier that significantly reduce its launch efficiency.

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