TOPIC

China's military weapons

Opinion | Why China’s ‘no first use’ policy requires more nuclear weapons

Adequate deterrence requires China to have sufficient nuclear warheads to resist an enemy first strike and ensure second-strike capability.

Adequate deterrence requires China to have sufficient nuclear warheads to resist an enemy first strike and ensure second-strike capability

18 Sep 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

China’s WZ-7 drone, bomber team up for drill as ‘Ukraine lesson learned’

17 Sep 2024 - 2:52AMvideocam

What do sightings of Type 094s say about China’s nuclear sub force?

16 Sep 2024 - 10:57PMvideocam

China’s stealth drone sightings hint at future role as fighter jet ‘wingmen’

Chinese and US air forces are exploring ways to pair manned and unmanned aircraft as they revamp fighter jet programmes, observers say.

15 Sep 2024 - 10:00PM

China’s GJ-11 drone is showcased during Airshow China in Zhuhai, Guangdong province, in September 2021. Photo: EPA-EFE

China has reportedly tested a next-generation carrier-based fighter jet

A documentary on state media refers to take-offs by the new jet from the deck of the Liaoning, but offers no further information or images of the aircraft.

14 Sep 2024 - 5:23PM

China offers more military aid and training to African countries

Xi Jinping makes a series of pledges, which also include landmine clearance, at the opening of the FOCAC Summit.

5 Sep 2024 - 7:01PMvideocam

Eyeing China, US plans to deploy satellites to track targets by 2030s

Senior Space Force official describes Beijing and Moscow as ‘pacing challenges’ that can ‘target and destroy space systems’ in all orbits.

5 Sep 2024 - 5:55AMvideocam

A screengrab of General Michael Guetlein of the United States Space Force speaking in Virginia on Wednesday.

Opinion | Why Belarus sees China, not West, as answer to balancing Russia ties

Alexander Lukashenko believes he can maintain strong relations with both China and Russia without having to reduce cooperation with either.

30 Aug 2024 - 6:57AMvideocam

2 Republicans ask Pentagon to add Chinese battery maker CATL to restricted list

Lawmakers said CATL has ties to Chinese Communist Party and its military, and ‘reliance on CATL batteries endangers national security’.

29 Aug 2024 - 6:58AM

China’s Y-20 transport plane goes to Egypt on Mideast military influence mission

The 10,000km flight to the Egypt International Airshow is as much a display of Y-20 and J-10 strength and capability as appearing at the show itself: analyst.

28 Aug 2024 - 9:53PMvideocam

The plane took part in a display over the Pyramids. Photo: QQ.com

PLA Rocket Force bans 3 universities from procurement process over ‘bid-rigging’

Chinese military branch at centre of anti-corruption crackdown says the universities cannot take part in procurement activities until August 2027.

23 Aug 2024 - 10:30PMvideocam

The PLA Rocket Force has banned Xian Jiaotong University and two others from taking part in procurement activities for three years. Photo: Weibo

Opinion | Beyond tech, the US-China AI race is a tussle over ethics

From healthcare to weapons, the ethical frameworks the US and China develop will influence global norms and define standards in coming decades.

22 Aug 2024 - 8:30PMvideocam

PLA sends advanced landing craft to South China Sea for ‘high-intensity’ drills

‘Recent’ exercises involving the Type-071 Jinggang Shan took place against a backdrop of regular clashes between China and the Philippines.

22 Aug 2024 - 5:34PMvideocam

Laser weapon spotted on Chinese navy ship as PLA and US boost drone defences

Photos indicate the directed-energy weapon has been installed on Type 071 amphibious vessel.

21 Aug 2024 - 6:46PM

China’s Type 071 amphibious transport dock ship has a flight deck and a hangar. Photo: Handout

Biden approved secret nuclear strategy focusing on ‘China threat’: New York Times

The highly classified plan for the first time reorients Washington’s deterrent strategy on China’s expansion of its atomic arsenal.

21 Aug 2024 - 11:21PM

Spectators wave Chinese flags as military vehicles carrying DF-41 ballistic missiles roll during a parade in Beijing in October 2019. Photo: AP

China’s most advanced amphibious assault ship spotted near Japanese waters

Deployment of PLA’s Type 075 warship signals Beijing’s ability to break through potential Western naval containment, analysts say.

21 Aug 2024 - 12:38AMvideocam

South China Sea: PLA aircraft carrier Shandong shows combat readiness

Japan reports China’s second carrier, accompanied by three vessels, hosted take-offs and landings by jets and helicopters in Philippine Sea.

16 Aug 2024 - 11:07PMvideocam

Chinese coastguard set to get new ship modelled on advanced destroyer

The ship is equipped with an advanced naval air search radar and is expected to be deployed in the East and South China Seas.

14 Aug 2024 - 10:54PMvideocam

Artists’ illustration of a destroyer and coastguard ship modelled on the Type 052D. Photo: Guancha.cn

Is China’s coastguard about to go big offshore with new ocean-going mothership?

The vessel was one of the attractions in a show of freshly acquired tech that also included underwater drones.

12 Aug 2024 - 9:00AMvideocam

China eyes anti-drone technology as key to future battlefield success

The PLA has been keeping a close eye on how the weapons have been used in wars such as Ukraine.

11 Aug 2024 - 10:23PMvideocam

China’s new hypersonic glider can power-jump to the other side of the Earth

A new type of skipping stone trajectory is being used by Chinese scientists to increase the range of hypersonic weapons.

8 Aug 2024 - 10:35PMvideocam

Chin DF-17 uses the Qian Xuesen trajectory but scientists are now working on hypersonic gliders that would use a trajectory that acts more like a skipping stone to increase range. Photo: AP

Opinion | AI companies must pay attention to national security needs

While the West is collectively still ahead of China when it comes to AI development, that lead is quickly narrowing.

8 Aug 2024 - 2:17PMvideocam

US air force secretary Frank Kendall sits in the front cockpit of an AI-controlled aircraft at Edwards Air Force Base, California on May 2. Photo: AP

China tests drone-based cloud seeding in Xinjiang to bring rain to dry regions

The trial is being carried out with the TB-A strike and reconnaissance UAV, typically used to carry ammunition during military operations.

8 Aug 2024 - 12:08AMvideocam

PLA drones circled Taiwan for hours, island’s defence ministry says

Rare report from island on PLA drone activity comes day after first Japan-Philippines drills in contested South China Sea.

4 Aug 2024 - 8:00PMvideocam

Power of China’s secret Yu-10 torpedo hailed as video celebrates submarine force

State media shows stern of target ship lifted out of the water by shock wave, accompanied by column of water nearly 100 metres high.

3 Aug 2024 - 10:09PMvideocam

Screengrab from video aired by China’s state broadcaster shows an unnamed torpedo – likely to be the Yu-10 – sinking a target ship. A domestic journal article says the torpedo could damage much larger ships. Photo: CCTV

China imposes export controls on drones and parts for potential military use

Beijing says move will help safeguard the country’s security and interests, and better serve its obligation regarding non-proliferation of weapons.

1 Aug 2024 - 12:55AMvideocam

Various Chinese agencies have released a list of export controls relating to drones and parts. Photo: Xinhua

Chinese scientists’ ultra-fast chip could double the pace of electronic warfare

‘Groundbreaking’ chip technology behind analogue-to-digital converter could give military a critical edge in real combat, research team says.

30 Jul 2024 - 10:57PMvideocam

Japan’s ‘ship killer’ missiles to be fit for duty in 2025: defence white paper

Japan faces ‘severe’ security environment, defence chief says in white paper, lists China’s military and naval moves as primary challenge.

28 Jul 2024 - 8:00PM

Help preserve 120 years of quality journalism.

SUPPORT NOW

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.

last updated:

9 September, 2024