Liu Zhenli

What is China’s Central Military Commission and how does it function?

13 Feb 2026 - 3:12PMvideocam

China’s military command tightens discipline at the top in generals’ wake

7 Feb 2026 - 8:48PMvideocam

China’s military drills

China’s military cracks down on training ‘fakery’ after Zhang Youxia’s ousting

PLA plans to crack down on ‘fakery that undermines combat capability’, soon after top generals placed under corruption investigation.

6 Feb 2026 - 8:49PMvideocam

The PLA plans to tackle “deep-seated problems” with its training and drills. Photo: Xinhua

China expels defence officials from legislature amid corruption crackdown

Three senior executives removed from National People’s Congress without explanation could face disciplinary action or criminal charges.

5 Feb 2026 - 2:10AMvideocam

What does the fall of PLA top brass Zhang Youxia say about Beijing’s Taiwan plans?

Investigations into China’s top military commanders have raised questions about the PLA’s battle readiness.

4 Feb 2026 - 6:14AMvideocam

Zhang Youxia probe to end ‘watered-down’ military capability: PLA Daily

Investigation and in-depth political rectification to bring in new atmosphere and positive spirit, commentary in official military paper says.

2 Feb 2026 - 8:03PMvideocam

The official PLA Daily has urged China’s armed forces to “resolutely carry on the fight against corruption through to the end”. Photo: Xinhua

Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

China’s military redoubles corruption fight in wake of Zhang Youxia’s downfall

PLA mouthpiece warns troops not to be blindly optimistic or totally pessimistic about winning the war against graft.

31 Jan 2026 - 8:56PMvideocam

South China Sea

China says Philippines is stoking tensions with Scarborough Shoal drill

Manila reportedly issued a notice warning of military exercises across a wide area of the South China Sea until the end of March.

30 Jan 2026 - 9:00PMvideocam

Former Inner Mongolia party chief, veterans minister investigated for corruption

Sun Shaocheng’s downfall is announced days after investigations into China’s top-ranking general Zhang Youxia.

30 Jan 2026 - 2:53PMvideocam

Sun Shaocheng, 65, is facing a disciplinary review and supervisory investigation by China’s top anti-corruption body the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. Photo: Handout

China’s top general ousted in corruption investigation

The seven-seat Central Military Commission now only has two active members after the downfall of vice-chairman Zhang Youxia and fellow general Liu Zhenli.

26 Jan 2026 - 5:18PM

SCMP Highlights

Thailand’s Chinese weapons haul, Blackpink in Hong Kong: 5 weekend reads

From a rapid rise in solo living to Blackpink shows with a Hong Kong flair, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

26 Jan 2026 - 2:18PM

Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

Why China’s swift ousting of Zhang Youxia is a warning from Xi on party purity

Seemingly risky move to oust two generals ahead of Communist Party congress and PLA centenary sends a message about anti-corruption drive.

26 Jan 2026 - 4:19PMvideocam

Newcomers in charge at PLA’s corruption-hit command overseeing Taiwan

State media shows Yang Zhibin and Zhang Jichun at official event, suggesting they are heading the Eastern Theatre Command.

17 Dec 2025 - 6:48PMvideocam

PLA Air Force Lieutenant General Yang Zhibin, pictured in uniform, is shown at the annual commemoration of the Nanking massacre on Saturday. Photo: CCTV

Xinjiang

China’s ethnic affairs chief hails Xinjiang policies in Xi’s ‘new era’

Speech in Urumqi comes at the end of the first trip by a Chinese president to the autonomous region for its anniversary.

26 Sep 2025 - 2:16AMvideocam

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends a gala marking the 70th founding anniversary of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in Urumqi, the regional capital, on Wednesday. Photo: Xinhua

China-Australia relations

China and Australia ready for ‘more productive’ ties, Beijing’s ambassador says

Xiao Qian tells trade expo in Melbourne that the two nations can ‘fully complement each other’s strengths’ when boosting economic ties.

14 Aug 2025 - 9:00PMvideocam

China-India relations

China is ready to help ease India-Pakistan tensions but has a fine line to walk

Analysts said Beijing would be keen to avoid a full-blown confrontation on its doorstep but its scope may be limited.

30 Apr 2025 - 8:00PMvideocam

Two Sessions 2024

Chinese general calls for crackdown on ‘fake combat capabilities’ in military

He Weidong’s message seen to be related to weapons procurement and problems with training.

11 Mar 2024 - 5:47PMvideocam

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General He Weidong, China’s No 3 military official, took aim at “fake combat capabilities”. Photo: CCTV

Mixed signals remain in US-China relations even after Xi-Biden meeting

In this week’s issue of the Global Impact newsletter, we look to the future of the US-China relationship following the meeting between presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden in November.

14 Feb 2024 - 2:45PMvideocam

China’s military

PLA watches as US warship sails through Taiwan Strait in ‘provocative’ move

Destroyer’s transit shows United States’ commitment to upholding freedom of navigation, Seventh Fleet commander says, while People’s Liberation Army spokesman accuses US military of ‘maliciously’ undermining peace and stability in the region.

25 Jan 2024 - 3:53PMvideocam

Taiwan election 2024

Fallout from Taiwan elections may ‘heighten risk of US-China missteps’

If Beijing steps up the pressure on Taiwan following a DPP win, it may heighten calls for a tougher US response, a mainland academic warns.

5 Jan 2024 - 6:00AMvideocam

Beijing’s response to a victory for William Lai Ching-te in the Taiwanese election could trigger a cycle of reaction and response between China and the US. Photo: Bloomberg

China’s military

China names Dong Jun as new defence minister to replace ousted Li Shangfu

Dong Jun was previously head of the People’s Liberation Army Navy and is not on any US sanctions list – unlike his predecessor.

29 Dec 2023 - 9:52PMvideocam

Former PLA Navy head Dong Jun has been named as China’s new defence minister. Photo: PLA Navy

China’s PLA hails ‘constructive’ US talks, but hits out at Pentagon budget

A spokesman for the Chinese military says last week’s talks between senior commanders were a ‘step towards the resumption of military dialogue’.

28 Dec 2023 - 9:35PM

Taiwan election 2024

Taiwan’s presidential election risks war, ex-Beijing official says

‘One thing is certain: Taiwan independence means war, and insisting on Taiwan independence’ will lead to war sooner or later,’ says Wang Zaixi, former deputy director of the Taiwan Affairs Office.

25 Dec 2023 - 9:45PMvideocam

Ice-breaking direct US-China military talks a ‘good step’ but disputes remain

Discussions will not resolve ‘hardcore’ geopolitical issues like Taiwan and the South China Sea but could help avoid crisis, experts say

22 Dec 2023 - 10:05PMvideocam

Chinese General Liu Zhenli spoke by video link with Charles ‘CQ’ Brown, the US chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Thursday. Photo: Handout

US, China militaries talk for first time in over a year

The video call between General CQ Brown and General Liu Zhenli is the first senior military communications between the US and China since August 2022.

22 Dec 2023 - 5:43AMvideocam

Air Force Chief of Staff General CQ Brown spoke with China’s General Liu Zhenli is the first senior military communications between the US and China since August 2022. Photo: AP

Asean

South China Sea skirmishes loom over Asean defence ministers’ meeting

Asean defence ministers to meet in Jakarta to discuss regional challenges, including the rising tensions over the territorial disputes in the South China Sea between China and the Philippines.

14 Nov 2023 - 8:06PMvideocam