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Military

President Xi Jinping (left) and Zhang Shengmin, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, pictured in Beijing on September 30. Photo: Kyodo
China’s Communist Party

China’s top general urges joint military-civilian crackdown on arms corruption

Zhang Shengmin urges better ‘information-sharing, coordinated action and joint sanctions’ mechanisms in article on fifth plenum outcomes.

US-China relations

Could US Marines sustain a war with China? Officers warn of Pacific weaknesses

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China's military weapons

China uses military drones, heavy-lift and C909 planes in huge forest fire drill

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China's military weapons

Fresh GJ-11 footage gives glimpse of weapon bay on China’s next-gen drone

Images released in a state media report just a few days ahead of a PLA Air Force anniversary.

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China has released new images of its GJ-11 stealth combat drone. Photo: CCTV
China has released new images of its GJ-11 stealth combat drone. Photo: CCTV
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation

C-17, Il-76 and Y-20 equals: an aviation moment in the skies over China

The US heavy lifter was spotted above Shenzhen, the Russian-made plane was in Chongqing and the Chinese aircraft is in PLA service.

SCMP Highlights

China’s torpedo tech; ‘unimaginable’ defects at MTR station: 5 weekend reads

From China’s steady moon plan to India’s row with US over Pakistan F-16s, here are five stories you may have missed over the weekend.

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China’s military drills

Is the PLA rehearsing operations to keep US forces out of a Taiwan conflict?

More than 100 vessels have been reported in the western Pacific and South China Sea but no large-scale drill has been announced.

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The Liaoning aircraft carrier was seen sailing around the southern Philippines in late October. Photo: Reuters
The Liaoning aircraft carrier was seen sailing around the southern Philippines in late October. Photo: Reuters
China's military weapons

Is China getting faster at integrating new nuclear missiles into its forces?

Newest ICBM the DF-61 has progressed to routine drills but that does not necessarily point to more efficient development, analysts say.

US-China relations

Trump’s war secretary Pete Hegseth and Admiral Paparo may ‘soon visit China’

South China Sea is now a bigger flashpoint than Taiwan, former US diplomat says while disclosing potential visit.

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China's military weapons

China puts DF missiles on display amid speculation about ICBM test

State media showcase the nuclear-capable DF-61 and the rarely seen DF-100 as Beijing marks anniversary of the first Dongfeng-series missile.

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China’s DF-61 ICBM debuts at the Victory Day military parade in Beijing, China on September 3, 2025. Photo: Eugene Lee
US military

US beefs up Pacific cyber defences as concerns grow over risk to undersea cables

New measures to protect communications follow American warning that China is targeting critical networks in the region.

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Underseas cables are vital to communications, but are also highly vulnerable. Photo: Shutterstock Images
Underseas cables are vital to communications, but are also highly vulnerable. Photo: Shutterstock Images
China’s Communist Party

China’s new PLA theatre chiefs identified as anti-corruption drive clears ranks

Insignia and seating arrangements at Beijing conclave reveal the emerging military commanders tasked with joint combat readiness.

China’s Communist Party

Ex-armed police chief Wang Ning ousted from China’s top advisory body

Wang joins predecessors in disgrace as Beijing deepens scrutiny of internal security.

China-Japan relations

What’s the message for China as Japan weighs US$500 billion defence boost?

Drones, AI battlefield management, and multi-domain warfare including cyber and space likely to be key elements of build-up, analyst says.

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Japan’s expected military build-up is seen to reflect the need to prepare for the possibility of “major-power protracted war with China”. Photo: Reuters
China’s military drills

Taiwan flags massive PLA naval mobilisation, spike in air sorties

Island’s defence ministry reports 49 sorties of PLA aircraft in the 24 hours to 6am on Tuesday, marking the highest single-day total this year.

The Liaoning is leading a strike group in the western Pacific. Photo: Reuters
The Liaoning is leading a strike group in the western Pacific. Photo: Reuters
South China Sea

China accuses Philippine politicians of ‘intolerable’ conduct as tensions rise

China’s top diplomat Wang Yi urges the Philippines to rein in politicians who had repeatedly ‘smeared’ Beijing and crossed its ‘red lines’.

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China-Russia relations

Top Chinese general meets Russian defence chief days after Politburo appointment

Zhang Shengmin pledges deeper military cooperation with Moscow, praising ‘fruitful achievements’ from the two countries.

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China's military weapons

China tests wave-piercing stealth trimaran as unconventional naval fleet grows

High-speed platform seen with distinct wake could serve as an autonomous weapons carrier or sensor hub for naval operations.

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China appears to be testing a stealthy trimaran at sea, according to a new image. It shows an inverted wave-piercing bow, three-hull design, and angular superstructure surfaces. Photo: Weibo/欧阳振我86468
China appears to be testing a stealthy trimaran at sea, according to a new image. It shows an inverted wave-piercing bow, three-hull design, and angular superstructure surfaces. Photo: Weibo/欧阳振我86468
China's military weapons

China’s HQ series intercepts 2 new missile types as PLA tests weapon platform

State broadcaster highlights exercise by ground-based air defence unit, though it is unclear what was being tested.

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US-China relations

‘Queen of the Chinese’, drone war fears: 7 US-China relations reads

From Texas’ lost Chinese history to a travel warning, here are highlights from the SCMP’s overseas correspondents in late October 2026.

China's military weapons

Has the Pakistani military bought 30 Z-10ME attack helicopters from China?

Previous media reports suggested that Islamabad had sought to acquire as many as 40 Z-10-series helicopters as early as 2022.

The Z-10ME is an upgraded export variant of the Z-10 operated by the Chinese military's ground and air forces. Photo: Handout
Taiwan

Raising the bar: Taiwan alters draft rules to add thousands to armed forces

Revised BMI, height and medical thresholds aim to halve draft waiver rates amid draft-dodging scandal and personnel shortage.

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Taiwan is overhauling its conscription criteria as defence ministry figures show the volunteer staffing rate was at 76.62 per cent in June - below the military’s 80 per cent target. Photo: EPA-EFE
Taiwan is overhauling its conscription criteria as defence ministry figures show the volunteer staffing rate was at 76.62 per cent in June - below the military’s 80 per cent target. Photo: EPA-EFE
China's military weapons

Beijing doubles down on Type 071 amphibious warships, signalling a Taiwan focus

Move challenges US assessments that Beijing lacks the maritime lift and logistical support needed for a large-scale attack on the island.

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US-China relations

Open Questions | Ex-Kissinger partner on how China and US can evolve together

Joshua Cooper Ramo, investment adviser who worked with Henry Kissinger, on his vision of adversaries cooperating to solve world’s problems – and the bleak alternative.

China-Africa relations

From rifles to radar: China upgrades African arms trade as Russia, West retreat

Sales to continent’s militaries have shifted qualitatively to air-defence systems, armed drones and electronic warfare gear, analysts note.

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A screenshot from footage released on September 1 by the office of Burkina Faso's presidency shows what observers say is a Chinese Sky Dragon 30 surface-to-air missile. Photo: Burkina Faso presidency/Facebook
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