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China’s rocket force

China’s rocket force
Latest news and updates on the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force, including the development and testing of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) and hypersonic weapons.
last updated:
16 October, 2024
Chinese President Xi Jinping inspected a brigade of the People’s Liberation Army Rocket Force last week. Photo: CCTV
Taiwan

Xi visit highlights PLA Rocket Force’s key role in Taiwan strategy

Footage of a tour of a base featured nuclear-capable weapons that are key to Beijing’s plans to deter US intervention in any conflict.

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Xi Jinping

Xi Jinping targets deterrence and discipline in PLA Rocket Force inspection

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ICBMs

China’s DF-41: deadly missile could be game-changer in nuclear deterrence

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Xi Jinping's anti-corruption campaign

PLA Rocket Force scientist loses political advisory post in corruption crackdown

CPPCC expels missile expert Xiao Longxu as anti-graft campaign continues to zero in on military officials.

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Xiao Longxu is the former chief engineer of the PLA Rocket Force’s top research institute. Photo: Weibo/ 八大商人
China's military weapons

What do we know about the DF-31 variant used in China’s ICBM test?

The missile fired into the Pacific travelled around 12,000km and appears to have been a model that can be fired from a mobile launcher suited to rough terrain.

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China's military weapons

China ICBM test a sign PLA Rocket Force stands ready despite corruption scandals

Analysts say ballistic missile launch may be aimed at proving ‘credibility’ and combat ability of PLA division swept up in anti-graft probe.

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China's military weapons

US wants ‘regular’ missile launch notification process after China’s ICBM test

Washington and France say Beijing gave advance notice of this week’s test, which Pentagon says was a ‘step in the right direction’.

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The PLA released pictures of the ICBM test on Thursday. Photo: AFP

China tests ICBM capable of reaching US mainland with launch into Pacific Ocean

China’s military drills

China tests ICBM that could reach the US mainland with launch into Pacific Ocean

Test by PLA Rocket Force ‘achieves expected purpose’ and is a routine part of annual military training, Beijing says.

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Corruption in China

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.

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

China announces corruption investigation into another PLA Rocket Force general

Communique at the end of the third plenum states that Sun Jinming, chief of staff of the PLA’s Rocket Force, was expelled from the party.

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Sun Jinming, former chief of staff of the PLA Rocket Force, was expelled by the Communist Party after an anti-corruption investigation. Photo: Baidu
China’s military

Leading scientist crucial to China’s space efforts to be expelled from top body

Wang Xiaojun, who will be removed from country’s top advisory body, led development of Long March 7 rockets used to resupply Tiangong space station and launch satellites

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China’s military

China unveils new PLA Rocket Force chief in wake of corruption scandal

An unusually sweeping shake-up will see the force responsible for the country’s nuclear arsenal get a new commander and political commissar at the same time.

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China’s military

Chinese anti-corruption probe targets top PLA Rocket Force generals: sources

Military graft-busters are targeting the force’s current commander, Li Yuchao, and a past and present deputy, Zhang Zhenzhong and Liu Guangbin.

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The PLA Rocket Force was previously known as the Second Artillery Corps. Photo: AP
China’s military

China says PLA Rocket Force joined naval drills near Guam US base

Disclosure seen as show of force by Chinese military, highlighting improved precision strike capacity as Taiwan Strait tensions spike.

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A J-15 Chinese fighter jet takes off from the Shandong aircraft carrier during PLA combat drills around Taiwan. Photo: Xinhua via AP
China’s military

PLA mouthpiece hails rocket force after it fired missiles over Taiwan

Chinese military’s official newspaper highlights key role of rocket force in safeguarding national security and declares it is combat ready.

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China’s military

China is boosting its rocket launch system ‘from the coast to the Himalayas’

PLA said to have used PCL191 to hit a target several kilometres away during recent test at a desert shooting range.

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