TOPIC

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA)

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA)
The latest news and top stories on the People’s Liberation Army. A prominent Beijing-based governmental body, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is the unified military organisation of the People's Republic of China and the Chinese Communist Party. Its primary mission involves defending national sovereignty, territorial integrity and the Party’s interests, alongside protecting overseas interests and promoting global peace. The PLA, comprising ground, naval, air, rocket, aerospace, cyberspace and information support forces, is recognised as the world’s largest military. It plays a crucial role in national defence, internal security, disaster relief and international peacekeeping, continually modernising its technology and capabilities.
A J-35 fighter is shown at SAC’s airfield in Liaoning province, according to a video released by the manufacturer on Tuesday. Photo: Handout
China's military weapons

J-35 jet maker flexes production muscle, pledging to double output in 5 years

New video shows stealth fighter on the runway at SAC in Liaoning as state media says factory will be part of ‘Shenyang Aerospace City’.

videocam
US-Venezuela conflict

Opinion | US invasion of Venezuela no guarantee of hemispheric dominance

videocam
Taiwan

Video | PLA conducts second day of drills around Taiwan

Open Questions series

Open Questions | Ex-PLA colonel on Taiwan, the Ukraine war, China-US ties

Zhou Bo ponders Japanese PM Takaichi’s recent remarks, lessons from the Ukraine conflict and why China won’t be world’s policeman.

videocam
Illustration: Victor Sanjinez
South China Sea

Opinion | How does China’s modernising navy stack up against the US seventh fleet?

Between what the US can sustain in the region vs what China can concentrate near its shores, the calculation increasingly favours Beijing.

videocam
16
Alibaba

Alibaba slams FT report on alleged PLA ties as ‘completely false’, ‘malicious’

The report appears to undermine the recent bilateral trade talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart, Donald Trump.

9
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China's military weapons

China’s Pacific power takes strategic leap with new carrier

The commissioning of the Fujian, China’s third aircraft carrier, extends the nation’s reach into the Pacific, provided it can overcome the challenges of operating a blue-water navy.

Photo: Xinhua
US-China relations

US Space Force to use 3 weapons to jam Chinese satellites via remote control

The Meadowlands and Remote Sensing Terminals will be joining the US military’s Counter Communications System jammer.

5
Taiwan

No major PLA activity near Taiwan after ‘troublemaker’ Lai’s policy speech

Taiwanese defence ministry figures show no increase in the number of warplanes and warships near the island since October 10.

videocam
13
Taiwan

Chinese spy drama Silent Honour inspires praise for real-life agents

‘Sudden surge’ of visitors to memorial park and one agent’s family home comes as series about mainland intelligence operation in Taiwan ends.

videocam
Silent Honour is based on real events and uses the names of communist spies who operated in Taiwan at the time. Photo: CCTV
China’s military

China ‘showed integrated combat capabilities in locking on US fifth-gen jets’

A PLA J-16 fighter reportedly chased away two foreign planes– believed to be US F-22s – from its air defence identification zone last year.

videocam
22
A Chinese J-16 fighter. The PLA has been replacing its ageing J-7 fighter fleet with advanced J-10C and J-16 multi-role warplanes. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

PLA Navy’s Taiwan-focused landing barge spotted at sea, destination unknown

Video shows self-elevating ‘water bridge’ Dong Gong 401 moving close to shore at an unidentified location.

4
China's military weapons

How the Chinese military uses ‘human abacuses’ to counter smart device failures

State media says PLA abacus programme aids infantry and artillery units in determining optimal firing times and helps soldiers keep focus.

videocam
5
SCMP Highlights

China’s exports rebound, military mouthpiece’s PLA vow: SCMP daily highlights

From China’s outbound shipments beating estimates to a maths guru on domestically groomed talent, here’s a round-up from today’s coverage.

A ship is seen at the container terminal of the port in Qingdao, in China’s eastern Shandong province on October 9. Photo: AFP
China's military weapons

China’s military paper urges ‘deep integration’ to beat joint operation weakness

PLA Daily urges stronger synergy across combat elements and weapon platforms, highlights key role of cyber-information systems in warfare.

videocam
Airborne uncrewed vehicles are showcased during the Victory Day military parade in Beijing on September 3. Weaponry paraded within formations during the event did not originate from a single theatre command or service branch. Photo: Xinhua
China's military weapons

QBZ-191 assault rifle allows Chinese small arms to gain tactical and export edge

191 series shows PLA is catching up with global trends to match world-class combat rifles like the US M4, Belgian SCAR and the German HK416.

videocam
5
South China Sea

Chinese military announces Malaysia drill as Japan-Philippines exercise starts

The Chinese military says next week’s Aman Youyi-2025 joint exercise will focus on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

videocam
8
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
China's military weapons

Chinese military’s new underwater unmanned systems are ‘disruptive’: journal

Submersibles with ‘zero-radius turning manoeuvrability’ said to be capable of operating ‘with ease in complex maritime environments’.

videocam
20
A Chinese AJX002 unmanned underwater vehicle appears in a military parade in Beijing on September 3. Photo: AFP
China's military weapons

China’s J-16 expelled 2 foreign stealth fighter jets last year: report

PLA pilot involved in encounter during coastal training exercise recounts locking onto both aircraft that were ‘approaching us’.

47
China’s military drills

New mock Taiwan government buildings spotted at mainland Chinese military base

Japanese media report says simulated Taiwanese government compound for training PLA soldiers has expanded nearly threefold since 2020.

videocam
15
Hong Kong politics

From Stephen Chow films to Beyond hits: PLA sailors share Hong Kong affinity

Crew from Qi Jiguang and Yimeng Shan recount experience in city as residents enjoy final open day.

(From left) Navy trainees Cheng Jiaming, Zhang Zihan, Luo Jiayi and Li Chunliang. Photo: Leopold Chen
Hong Kong economy

Editorial | Hong Kong marks National Day with hope amid challenges

As the People’s Republic of China turns 76, Hong Kong remains dedicated to national development and local growth.

Chief Executive John Lee delivers a speech at a reception in Wan Chai, celebrating the 76th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, on October 1. Photo: Nora Tam
Hong Kong politics

Hong Kong marks National Day with fireworks, naval ship tours and horse races

Residents, tourists enjoy holiday, with some touring PLA vessels, others visiting Sai Kung reservoir and crowds packing Sha Tin Racecourse.

videocam
6
Hong Kong politics

Hongkongers tour PLA naval ships as trainees sample local delicacies

Residents get hands-on experience on board Qi Jiguang and Yimeng Shan at Stonecutters Island as part of National Day celebrations.

Hong Kong economy

Hong Kong gears up for National Day celebrations as Xi delivers upbeat message

City rolling out a raft of measures and events to celebrate October 1 anniversary, including fireworks display and various offers.

The East Dam of the High Island Reservoir is a popular spot for tourists. Photo: Dickson Lee
Hong Kong economy

Restaurants eye 20% business bump as National Day celebrations kick off

Celebrations include National Day fireworks, as well as discounts and perks covering public transport, museums, dining and shopping.

Restaurant bookings for the “golden week” period are looking strong, according to Simon Wong, president of the Hong Kong Federation of Restaurants and Related Trades. Photo: Sun Yeung
Hong Kong society

Hong Kong welcomes 2 PLA Navy vessels for National Day celebrations

Hundreds of students toured warships Qi Jiguang and Yimeng Shan after the vessels sailed into city’s waters on Tuesday for a four-day port call.

videocam
Science

China deploys prototype of missile defence system with planet-wide coverage

Team says its leap in data processing technology was crucial in design of ‘distributed early warning detection big data platform’.

videocam
24
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement