Advertisement
Advertisement
-
China /

Military

Related Topics:
South China Sea
China’s aircraft carriers
US-China relations
Military
Defence
China’s share of global arms imports is waning as it uses more of its own technology. Photo: VCG via Getty Images
China's military weapons

Why have China’s arms imports plummeted 72% over the past 5 years?

Neighbours in Asia and Oceania increase their overseas weapons purchases amid ‘fears over China’s intentions’.

videocam
4
Two Sessions 2026

Wang Yi warns Japan on Taiwan ‘red line’, dashing hopes of ending diplomatic row

videocam
34
China-North Korea relations

Will the US attack on Iran push North Korea even closer to Russia and China?

videocam
18
China’s Communist Party

Xi Jinping’s zero-fail mission for China’s military: total loyalty, no corruption

President underlines his strict ideological line to the PLA’s diminished delegation to the NPC.

videocam
29
The PLA’s delegation to the NPC has shrunk from 281 members in 2023 to 243 this year. Photo: Reuters
The PLA’s delegation to the NPC has shrunk from 281 members in 2023 to 243 this year. Photo: Reuters
Two Sessions 2026

China’s 15th 5-year plan maps bold push for AI, fusion and frontier science

Beijing’s sweeping 2026-2030 plan lays out blueprint for navigating a complex and turbulent international environment.

videocam
Two Sessions 2026

China’s last CMC general standing urges more ‘political rectification’ for PLA

Combat readiness and loyalty to Xi Jinping also highlighted in Central Military Commission vice-chairman’s remarks at ‘two sessions’.

videocam
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Arctic

Middle powers Canada, South Korea set Arctic course between China-Russia and US

Seoul’s security agreement with Ottawa is also a ‘hedge’ against a transactional Washington, an analyst says.

videocam
Melting sea ice triggered by climate change has increased the region’s strategic importance as the shortest shipping lane between the Asia-Pacific and Europe. Photo: Getty Images
Melting sea ice triggered by climate change has increased the region’s strategic importance as the shortest shipping lane between the Asia-Pacific and Europe. Photo: Getty Images
Two Sessions 2026

China keeps defence budget growth steady as modernisation deadline looms

Beijing plans to set aside 7 per cent more for the military this year, with the total still a fraction of US spending.

videocam
7
China-Middle East relations

Iran thanks Chinese public after US-Israeli air strikes prompt wave of sympathy

Embassy in Beijing says Iran sincerely grateful to ‘the civilised and righteous Chinese people’ but financial aid not needed for now.

videocam
34
Taiwan

No PLA planes over Taiwan in 6 days. Why has Beijing pressed pause?

Analysts say the recent pause may be aimed at creating a conciliatory atmosphere in advance of this month’s leaders’ meeting.

videocam
18
While no aircraft were recorded near Taiwan over six consecutive days, including the Chinese New Year, the PLA’s Eastern Theatre Command said it maintained combat-oriented training over the period. Photo: Handout
Two Sessions 2026

Takeaways from Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s government work report

Li raises the curtain on the annual session of the National People’s Congress with a series of targets for the economy.

videocam
Chinese Premier Li Qiang opens the annual session of the National People’s Congress by delivering the government’s work report. Photo: AFP
Chinese Premier Li Qiang opens the annual session of the National People’s Congress by delivering the government’s work report. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Is the US in decline? After Iran strikes, maybe not, Chinese analysts say

The popular idea in China that American strength is waning may need a rethink, observers say.

videocam
177
US-China relations

Khamenei’s fall exposes China’s military AI lag versus US: Beijing adviser

Zheng Yongnian cites precision strikes on Iran and earlier Venezuela raid to warn about risks posed by deep AI integration in US military.

videocam
24
China-Middle East relations

Why China is staying on the sidelines of the US-Iran conflict

Decision based on consideration of Beijing’s own interests as well as its ties with Washington and others, analysts say.

videocam
29
Since the large-scale attacks by the US and Israel against Iran began over the weekend, Beijing has limited its response to diplomatic statements. Photo: AFP
South China Sea

US patrol flights over South China Sea drop 30% as focus shifts to Middle East

Decline in reconnaissance aircraft sorties comes during critical time in China-US ties ahead of planned Donald Trump visit.

videocam
22
The RC-135 is one of the mainstays of the US military’s large reconnaissance aircraft fleet. Photo: US Air Force
The RC-135 is one of the mainstays of the US military’s large reconnaissance aircraft fleet. Photo: US Air Force
Corruption in China

Generals stripped of CPPCC roles as China’s corruption clean-up continues

The official dismissal confirms the fall of Han Weiguo, the PLA Central Theatre Command’s inaugural commander.

videocam
Two Sessions 2026

Language as a weapon? PLA academics seek training overhaul, cite Ukraine war

Digitised battlefields demand new breed of soldier, as skilled at data analysis and psy-ops as at wielding a weapon, veteran instructor says.

videocam
4
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
US, Israel war on Iran

Trump says Iran war could last a month or longer as conflict widens

Trump administration says the ‘hardest hits are yet to come’ for Iran, as Tehran and its allies hit back across the region.

videocam
157
US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. Photo: Reuters
US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday. Photo: Reuters
Defence

What weapons were used in US-Iran strikes, and which are deployed near China?

From American bombers and Iranian suicide drones to an array of missiles, military observers are tracking the roll-out of hi-tech armaments.

videocam
China-Middle East relations

Iran attack a ‘wake-up call’ for China on electronic warfare and intelligence

Retired PLA colonel urges China to watch out for ‘internal infiltration and intelligence leaks’ and boost ‘security around critical targets’.

videocam
8
China's military weapons

What will first Type 055 destroyers for PLA East China Fleet mean for Taiwan?

Two of the guided-missile destroyers with hull numbers assigned have been spotted at a naval base on the East China Sea coast.

16
China’s Type 055 destroyer, designated “Renhai-class” by Nato, is a cruiser-sized vessel with robust air defence, anti-submarine and surface warfare capabilities. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

Taiwan is buying expensive US weapons systems, but are they the right ones?

The pricey arms packages are already facing legislative pushback. Now critics say they may be addressing the wrong threat.

videocam
5
A National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (Nasams), of the kind approved by the US for sale to Taiwan. Photo: Handout
A National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (Nasams), of the kind approved by the US for sale to Taiwan. Photo: Handout
US-China relations

US must be able to ‘turn around and punch’ as China boosts satellites: general

Head of US Space Force Combat Forces Command also highlights spaceplanes as area of increasing competition with China.

videocam
17
US-China relations

Ex-US Air Force fighter pilot accused of secretly training Chinese military

Gerald Eddie Brown Jr allegedly provided ‘defence services’ after 24-year Air Force career training US pilots on advanced combat aircraft.

videocam
22
China-Middle East relations

Is China flexing its intelligence muscle by tracking US military moves near Iran?

Unusually detailed posts by commercial firm MizarVision about America’s deployments in the Middle East are grabbing attention.

videocam
21
The American aircraft carrier USS Gerald R Ford docks at the Greek island of Crete on Tuesday. Photo: AFP
Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.
SUPPORT NOW