In the next stage, the two militaries will further strengthen strategic mutual trust and deepen practical cooperation in various fields.

A spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense (MND) on Saturday urged Japanese authorities to stop their hypocritical self-glorification and rein in their dangerous ambition of military expansion and war preparation, in responding to claims made by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi during visits to Australia and Vietnam.

A J-35 stealth fighter jet bearing the number "0001" was spotted taxiing out of a hangar in a recent CCTV News program. A Chinese military affairs expert was quoted as saying in the CCTV report on Friday that signs in the footage suggests this particular J-35 could be an export version of the J-35 series, making it a likely candidate for China's next major export fighter.

Two former Chinese defense ministers, Wei Fenghe and Li Shangfu, were both sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve over graft charges on Thursday.

According to sources, on May 3, five Philippine crew members illegally landed on Tiexian Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao,in disregard of the Chinese side's repeated dissuasion and warnings. The China Coast Guard (CCG) law-enforcement officers identified the intruders and handled the incident in accordance with the law, effectively safeguarding China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

The newly upgraded Y-20B transport aircraft of the Y-20 fleet, which has recently carried out a mission to repatriate the remains of the 13th batch of Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs from South Korea, features its major core upgrade in the full installation of the larger-diameter domestically developed WS-20 turbofan engines, China Central Television (CCTV) News reported on Saturday.

The naval and air units of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command (STC) conducted readiness patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas on Thursday, the Theater Command said in statement on Thursday.

We always consider aircraft carrier construction comprehensively based on national security needs and the development of equipment and technology, said Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson of China's Ministry of National Defense at a press conference on Thursday, in response to speculation that a new recruit named “He Jian” appearing in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's latest promotional video may signal the imminent arrival of China's first nuclear-powered aircraft carrier.

Naval and air units of the PLA Southern Theater Command (STC) on Thursday conducted readiness patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas. Huangyan Dao is an inherent part of China's territory. Since April, forces of the STC have enhanced readiness patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas, according to the STC's official WeChat account.

The navy of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command (STC) conducted a routine patrol in the South China Sea from Tuesday, Senior Captain Zhai Shichen, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command, announced on Tuesday.

Japanese fishing boat Tsurumaru intruded into the territorial waters of China's Diaoyu Dao on Tuesday. China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels took necessary measures to warn and expel it in accordance with the law, Jiang Lue, spokesperson of the CCG, stated on Tuesday, according to a statement released via CCG's official WeChat account.

The Japanese and US governments are set to establish a public-private framework as early as this year to cooperate on the development of defense equipment utilizing dual-use technologies, Japan's Kyodo News reported on Sunday, citing sources.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's hospital ship Silk Road Ark returned to a military port in Sanya, South China's Hainan Province on Sunday after completing Harmony Mission-2025, its first mission outside China and the longest of its kind, Xinhua News Agency reported. A Chinese military expert highlighted the vessel's advanced technology and comprehensive medical capabilities as a purpose-built platform, adding that the mission showed China's sense of responsibility as a major country, with the PLA Navy's growing strength benefiting the international community through overseas medical services.

To further deepen maritime cooperation between the Chinese and Vietnamese coast guards and enhance law enforcement collaboration, jointly safeguard safety and stability in Beibu Gulf maritime area and fishery production order, the China Coast Guard 4303 flotilla and the Vietnam Coast Guard 8004 flotilla conducted the first joint patrol in the Beibu Gulf for 2026 from April 22 to 24. This marks the 30th joint patrol conducted by the maritime law enforcement department of China and Vietnam since 2006, according to an official release by the China Coast Guard on Saturday.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command on Friday announced it has recently organized Task Force 107 to conduct military training exercises in the waters east of Luzon Island of the Philippines. The exercises focused on live-fire drills, sea-air coordination, rapid maneuvering, and underway replenishment, aiming to test the troops' integrated joint operational capabilities.

At a naval port in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province, the Type 081 mine countermeasures ship Qingzhou opened to the public for the first time, drawing steady streams of curious visitors eager for a rare, up-close look at the vessel.

Marking the 77th anniversary of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on Thursday, the PLA Navy held open-ship events in more than a dozen cities nationwide, with over 40 active-duty vessels opened to the public. Several of them were opened to the public for the first time. Among them, the Type 081 mine countermeasures ship, the Qingzhou, which made its debut in Dalian, Northeast China's Liaoning Province, drew particular attention. Unlike aircraft carriers or large destroyers, mine countermeasures ships rarely appear in the public eye. Curious to learn more, the Global Times reporter stepped aboard the Qingzhou to explore the spirit behind this warship.

Marking the 77th anniversary of its founding on Wednesday, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy released a promotional film titled Sailing Toward the Ocean, highlighting its leapfrog development from a modest origin to a modern force under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. The film features four generations of naval personnel and concludes with a symbolic “Easter egg” alluding to the eventual reunification of Taiwan island with the motherland.

After the Philippine authorities smeared Chinese fishermen of using “cyanide” at Ren'ai Jiao - a claim later refuted by informed Chinese sources - a new video obtained by the Global Times from China Coast Guard on Wednesday shows yellow smoke rising from the Philippine warship BRP Sierra Madre illegally grounded at the reef, with personnel on board burning garbage while disposing of waste into the sea, an act that they have repeatedly done before. Experts said such actions pose a serious threat to the surrounding marine ecosystem.

A spring breeze swept across the Huangpu River. At the downtown Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal, two mighty white ships of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy lay peacefully moored – China's domestically-built comprehensive replenishment ship PLANS Qiandaohu and the guided-missile frigate PLANS Fuyang.

China's first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, has departed Shanghai for the South China Sea for routine cross-regional trials and training, following multiple earlier sea trials and in line with its planned development schedule, the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy said on Tuesday. A Chinese military affairs expert told the Global Times on Wednesday that the Sichuan's first-ever cross-sea-area trial and training deployment to the South China Sea marks rapid and efficient progress, bringing its commissioning one step closer.

China's first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, has recently departed Shanghai for the South China Sea to conduct scientific research trials and training exercises, according to the navy.

The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) were returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday.

A Y-20B transport aircraft carrying the remains and personal effects of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers soldiers who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) took off from Incheon International Airport in South Korea on Wednesday, returning them home.

China and South Korea held a handover ceremony on Wednesday morning at Incheon International Airport for the remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers soldiers who lost their lives during the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953), along with 146 personal effects.

China's first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, the Sichuan, recently departed Shanghai for relevant waters in the South China Sea to conduct research trials and training, testing the performance of multiple onboard systems and platforms, said the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy on its official WeChat account on Tuesday.

The remains of 12 Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs who lost their lives in the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) will be returned to China from the Republic of Korea (ROK) on Wednesday, according to China's Ministry of Veterans Affairs.

A Y-20B transport aircraft of the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) on Monday afternoon took off and headed for South Korea to repatriate the remains of the 13th batch of Chinese People's Volunteers martyrs.

Following the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Eastern Theater Command's joint combat readiness patrol in the East China Sea on Saturday, the Command said on Sunday that it had organized vessel formation 133 to transit the Yokoate Waterway and conduct routine training exercises in the Western Pacific.

China Military Bugle, an official media account under the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) News Media Center, posted a video on social media on Saturday, showing drone-captured footage of how the PLA Eastern Theater Command (ETC) deployed naval and air forces to monitor the movement of a Japanese destroyer transiting the Taiwan Straits a day prior.

A video clip published by the website of China Central Television (CCTV), which has been widely shared online on Saturday, unveiled how Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy Type 054A guided-missile frigate Honghe (Hull 523), with its main gun loaded, drove away a foreign warship after 20 hours of standoff.

The Chinese foreign and defense ministries on Friday slammed New Zealand's move to send a military aircraft near Chinese airspace for repeated close-in reconnaissance and harassment recently.

Senior Colonel Xu Chenghua, spokesperson of the PLA Eastern Theater Command: From 4:02 to 17:50 on April 17, the Japanese destroyer JS Ikazuchi transited the Taiwan Strait, sending wrong signals to “Taiwan independence”separatist forces. The PLA Eastern Theater Command (ETC) deployed naval and air assets to track and monitor the vessel throughout the process, ensuring an effective control of the situation. Forces of the ETC will remain on high alert at all times, and resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty and security, as well as regional peace and stability.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy will open its barracks to the public in over 10 cities nationwide around April 23, marking its 77th anniversary, with over 40 active-duty vessels set for public visits.

A Russian naval flotilla composed of the corvettes Sovershennyy and Rezkiy, along with the medium seagoing tanker Pechenga, arrived in Zhanjiang, South China's Guangdong Province, on Wednesday morning, kicking off a five-day friendly visit, according to Xinhua News Agency.

When asked for comment on the meeting between Yonaguni Town Mayor and Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi on Monday, during which the Mayor conveyed his intention to accept the deployment of a missile unit at the Yonaguni garrison, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Wednesday that China expresses grave concern over relevant developments. Under the pretext of defensive countermeasures, Japan has stepped up the deployment of missiles and other offensive weapons and equipment in regions adjacent to China, which is in essence building forward strongholds for military confrontation and threatening regional peace and stability.

China's third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, will undergo a full transition from initial to full operational capability in 2026, with far-sea training expected, official media reported on Sunday. Chinese military affairs experts said that the Fujian has moved from construction to launch to commissioning at a fast pace, achieving operational capability in a very short time.

The Philippines has accused China of "bullying" after alleging that Chinese forces fired flares at a Philippine Coast Guard aircraft over the South China Sea, where the plane was conducting what Manila described as a "routine" patrol mission.

The Type 056 corvette China provided to Cambodia, which has reportedly arrived at the Ream Naval Base, is part of an existing cooperation program between militaries of the two countries, a spokesperson for Chinese Defense Ministry said on Thursday in response to a related question. A Chinese expert told the Global Times that the Type 056 corvette, a light multi-purpose vessel, is expected to enhance Cambodia's maritime security and rescue capabilities, marking further advancement in China-Cambodia defense cooperation.

Recently, the Philippine side has intruded into the airspace over and the waters adjacent to China's Huangyan Dao and the islands and reefs of China's Nansha Qundao, deliberately charged into the exercise and training zones of the Chinese side, and even closed in on Chinese vessels in a dangerous manner. It has repeatedly committed rights-violation and harassing acts against China, increasing factors of insecurity and instability in the Asia-Pacific region. We urge the Philippine side to stop counting on external forces to stir up troubles at sea, since such a scheme will prove self-defeating and fruitless. The Chinese side remains unwavering in our resolve to safeguard territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests. We will continue to take resolute countermeasures against any rights-violation and provocations.

Japan's reckless and dangerously accelerated push for remilitarization is spiraling out of control. This is a complete betrayal of its pacifist Constitution and exclusively defense-oriented principle, laying bare its ambition for military expansion. The proliferation of neo-militarism in Japan has become a real menace. Should an evil tiger be unleashed from its cage, it would inevitably wreak havoc far and wide, and plunge the Japanese people into an abyss of disaster. The international community should stay on high alert against it. It must be underlined that as evil will never outgrow virtue, the Chinese military will always have sufficient capability to counter threats and provocations, make aggressors pay an unbearable price, and defend national sovereignty, security and development interests.

China's latest-generation domestically developed electromagnetic gun has completed testing, with its performance now meeting operational requirements, according to a report on a test video released by CCTV News on Saturday.

The Chinese side has stressed on multiple occasions that a drawn-out conflict serves no one's interest, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Monday in response to question regarding US President Donald Trump's claim that a deal with Iran on ending the Middle East conflict could be reached soon, while at the same time not ruling out ground operations as well as more strikes, including ones targeting power stations.

Iran has destroyed a US E-3 Sentry stationed at a Saudi air base, according to multiple media reports. So far, Washington has made no public claim on the incident. A Chinese expert told the Global Times on Monday that the strike reflects how Iran orchestrates its intelligence-to-strike chain, from real-time surveillance to the rapid engagement of time-sensitive assets. The expert noted that the precision and destructive effect suggest advances in weapon guidance, while the timing of the attack shows how Tehran has maintained operational tempo despite weeks of airstrikes.

On March 29, naval and air units of the PLA Southern Theater Command conducted readiness patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas.

An official media report on Sunday disclosed multiple new developments regarding the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy's Type 054B guided-missile frigate Qinzhou. The report highlighted one of its most distinctive features: a next-generation architecture powered by advanced AI algorithms, enabling near-zero blind spots in air defense. Experts say the Type 054B represents a major leap in integrated combat capability and positions the vessel among the most advanced frigates in service today.

A delegation from China's defense ministry visited Europe from March 23 to 29 for a series of institutional dialogues, according to a statement posted by the Ministry of National Defense on its official website on Sunday.

Chinese J-10C fighter pilot swiftly turned on radar to counter a foreign aircraft's provocation after being illuminated by its radar, handling the situation calmly, according to a video program released by China Central Television (CCTV) on Saturday.

An official Chinese media report on Friday unveiled the world's first case of a soft-body bionic manta ray submersible detecting and locking onto simulated underwater explosive devices in dark waters with visibility of less than one meter.

China and Serbia enjoy friendly relations between their two countries and militaries. Normal military trade cooperation between the two sides complies with international law and common international practice, and is not targeted at any third party, Jiang Bin, spokesperson for Chinese Ministry of National Defense, said on Thursday in response to a question regarding that Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said in a live broadcast that Serbia had recently purchased Chinese CM-400AKG air-to-surface missiles for its air force, and critics claimed the move fuels a regional arms race.

An official media report on Thursday revealed an urban warfare drill featuring the latest generation of robotic wolf units, describing them as having “stronger bodies, smarter brains, and more combat-ready capabilities.”

A report by official Chinese media on Wednesday unveiled two new types of anti-drone laser weapons. A developer said such laser weapon systems, supported by intelligent targeting and multi-sensor integration, demonstrate strong responsiveness and adaptability, while enabling coordinated operations within an integrated combat network.

During routine rights-protection and law-enforcement training in adjacent waters under China's jurisdiction near Huangyan Dao, for which the China Coast Guard (CCG) had issued a navigation safety notice in accordance with the law, the Philippine side assembled a large number of vessels to intrude into the training area under the pretext of “fishing,” attempting to stir up trouble, sensationalize the situation and grab international attention, Liu Dejun, a CCG spokesperson, stated on Wednesday evening.

An official media report on Wednesday offered the first full-process demonstration of China's Atlas drone swarm operations system. A military affairs expert told the Global Times that the system not only showcases expanding battlefield applications for drone swarms, but also reflects rapid advances in algorithm-driven technologies, which are reshaping modern warfare by enabling autonomous coordination, precision engagement and system-level combat capabilities.

Zhu Anqing, spokesperson of China Coast Guard (CCG) Donghai Branch, stated on Monday that Fujian Coast Guard conducted routine law-enforcement patrols in the waters near Kinmen, according to a statement released by CCG on its official WeChat account.

As Monday marked the 28th anniversary of the maiden flight of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's J-10 fighter jet, CCTV News reported on Monday that multiple units have in recent days conducted high-intensity drills with J-10C fighter jets under complex electromagnetic conditions, including confrontational combat, close-range dogfights, and penetration strike training.

A reported Iranian strike that damaged a US F-35 fighter jet continues to draw widespread online attention. The Iran side said it caused the damage, but the US side has not confirmed whether the jet was hit, claiming that the aircraft was on a combat mission against Iran when it made an emergency landing. A Chinese military affairs expert told the Global Times that if confirmed, the incident could be significant in the evolution of stealth warfare. Since the 1999 downing of a US F-117 by Yugoslav forces, it would mark another case in which a highly regarded stealth aircraft was struck in a setting where US forces were believed to have air superiority — a challenge to the notion of “invulnerability.”

After completing their scheduled tasks, Chinese and Vietnamese naval vessel formations held a departure ceremony on Friday to mark the successful conclusion of the 40th joint patrol in the Beibu Gulf and the first joint maritime training, the official WeChat account for China's Ministry of National Defense announced on Sunday.

An official Chinese media report on Saturday released rare footage of the first live-fire surface-to-air missile launches by the Nanchang, the first Type 055 10,000 ton-class large destroyer of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, with all five missiles launched in the test hitting their targets. A Chinese military affairs expert said that the high accuracy demonstrated the Chinese warship's comprehensive capabilities, not only its surface-to-air missiles, but also its situational awareness.

Senior Captain Zhai Shichen, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command (STC), said that the naval and air forces of the PLA STC tracked and monitored a Type C-208 Philippine aircraft which intruded into the airspace over waters adjacent to Meiji Jiao of China's Nansha Qundao on Friday, issuing warnings to expel it in accordance with laws and regulations, according to a statement released by the PLA STC on its official WeChat account.

When asked to comment on claims by Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary that China is increasing its defense expenditure with a high growth rate and is developing its military substantially and rapidly without transparency after China announced its 2026 defense budget, Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, said on Wednesday that “We have released information regarding the specifics of China's 2026 defense budget, making public its size, composition, and allocation and leaving no room for doubt.”

The Global Times learned on Wednesday from sources that several Philippine aircraft recently illegally intruded into China's territorial airspace over Huangyan Dao without Chinese government permission. In response, the PLA deployed naval and air forces to track, monitor, warn and expel them in accordance with the law and regulations.

After China announced its 2026 defense budget, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary said that China is increasing its defense expenditure with a high growth rate and is developing its military substantially and rapidly without transparency. Some foreign media claimed that China had maintained increases in defense budget for many years in a row, gradually enlarging the gap in military capabilities with other regional countries. What's your comment on this?

The China Coast Guard (CCG) expelled a Japanese fishing boat that had intruded into the territorial waters of China's Diaoyu Dao on Monday.

A fire that broke out on the US aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford on March 12 burned for more than 30 hours, leaving more than 600 sailors without berths and forcing them to sleep on table or the floor, reported The New York Times (NYT) on Monday local time. As the carrier's deployment has entered its 10th month, a Chinese military affairs expert told the Global Times that while fires aboard large and complex vessels such as an aircraft carrier are inherently difficult to extinguish, the incident exposed the US warship's weaknesses in damage control, safety management, and the strain of prolonged high-intensity deployment.

Serbia recently purchased Chinese CM-400AKG air-to-surface ballistic missiles for its air force, becoming the weapon's first European operator, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said late on Thursday, media reported, and a Chinese expert highlighted the missile's high level of compatibility with the existing aircraft.

​Yet another Type 052D guided missile destroyer of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, recently conducted its maiden training - together with a newly debuted Type 055 large destroyer, according to official media reports on Thursday. Chinese experts said that the growing numbers of the Type 052D destroyer and joint training with the Type 055 destroyer will enhance coordination and help the PLA Navy shift toward stronger far-sea combat capabilities.

A US P-8A anti-submarine patrol aircraft transited the Taiwan Straits on Wednesday. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) organized naval and air forces to conduct tracking, monitoring and alert operations throughout the process, and effectively handled the situation, a source told the Global Times on Wednesday.

When asked to comment on reports that Japan has recently started to field long-range missiles with a range of approximately 1,000 kilometers, capable of reaching coastal areas of neighboring countries, Jiang Bin, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said at a regular press conference on Wednesday that with the planned fielding of long-range offensive weapons whose range far exceeds its territorial boundaries, Japan has completely stripped away its pretense of "exclusively defense-oriented" principle, "passive defense" strategy and "self-defense" policy.

The so-called goodwill mission is merely an excuse for the DPP authorities to solicit foreign support for “Taiwan independence”. The one-China principle is a prevailing international consensus and a basic norm in international relations. It is the political foundation for China's relations with all the 183 countries who have diplomatic ties with China. We hope that countries in the relevant region can follow the historical trend of the times and make, at an early date, the right decision that serves the fundamental and long-term interests of their peoples. We warn the DPP authorities that no form of "Taiwan independence" separatist activities or political manipulation can change the fact that Taiwan is part of China, or alter the international community's support for the one-China principle. Such attempts are futile.

Such choices as the unrestricted application of AI by the military, using AI as a tool to violate the sovereignty of other nations, allowing AI to excessively affect war decisions, and giving algorithms the power to determine life and death, not only erode ethical restraints and accountability in wars, but also risk technological runaway. A dystopia depicted in the American film The Terminator could one day come true. Upholding a people-centered approach and the principle of AI for good, China believes that human primacy must be upheld in military applications of AI, and that all relevant weapon systems must be put under human control.

For some time now, right-wing forces in Japan have made frequent moves to accelerate remilitarization, including the push to amend the pacifist Constitution, expediting revisions to the three national security documents, and the attempt to alter the three non-nuclear principles.

Without UN Security Council authorization, the U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against Iran in the process of ongoing Iran-U.S. negotiations. Such behaviors seriously breached international law and basic norms of international relations.

Two new Type 055 large destroyers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy, the Hull 109 Dongguan and the Hull 110 Anqing, made their official debut in an official media report on Sunday, taking the total number of the 10,000 ton-class warships to 10, up from eight. Chinese military affairs experts said that the destroyer is among the most powerful warship classes in China and the world, and more Type 055 vessels will strengthen the PLA Navy's long-range offensive and defensive capabilities, serving national defense as well as regional peace and stability.

Jiang said we urged the Australian side to earnestly respect China's sovereignty and security concerns, immediately stop spreading disinformation, strictly restrain the actions of its naval and air forces, refrain from any reckless provocative behavior, and avoid doing anything that undermines regional peace and stability.

The US claimed Wednesday that a US submarine sank an Iranian warship in international waters, a move a Chinese military expert said was a dangerous sign that the joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran is expanding to a larger scale.

In 2025, China's export-oriented fighter jet J-10CE drew widespread attention after achieving its first real combat success in an overseas air battle and sparked a wave of global interest in Chinese military aircraft. At major international air shows, including the Paris Air Show, the Dubai Airshow and the Singapore Airshow, Chinese military aircraft stole the spotlight as some of the most talked-about attractions.

During the first group interview in the "Deputies' Passage" of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC) held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Thursday morning, Wang Wenyi, an NPC deputy who is also a J-16 pilot from an aviation brigade of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force, shared his experiences from frontline training.

China's defense budget growth is expected to slow to 7 percent in 2026, according to a draft report submitted to the national legislature for review on Thursday, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

China's defense budget growth is expected to slow to 7 percent in 2026, according to a draft report submitted to the national legislature for review on Thursday.

Media outlets reported that the US and Israel employed AI technologies in the strikes on Iran, which sparked discussions about the military use of AI. A Chinese expert told the Global Times on Tuesday that while AI can assist human operators in warfare, it must not play a decisive role, stressing that decision-making authority must remain firmly in human hands, otherwise AI risks becoming a blunt instrument that could harm the humanity.

As one of the most important oil export routes in the world, the Strait of Hormuz has drawn intense attention since Iran reportedly claimed that no ships would be allowed to pass through on Saturday. A Chinese military affairs expert told the Global Times that Iran's ability to enforce a blockade is not technically complex, but such a move could have consequences beyond global energy markets.

Kuwait's Defense Ministry reported several US military aircraft crashes on Monday, with the Iranian and the US sides also making their respective explanations and statements regarding the incident. While details remain to be released to the public, a Chinese military affairs expert outlined several possible causes for the incident, and noted that while Iran's military power is weaker than that of the US, Tehran has still been able to mount a certain degree of retaliation, and has distributed its forces beyond air defense operations.

When asked to confirm foreign media reports that Iran and China are close to reaching an agreement on the purchase of CM-302 supersonic anti ship missiles, which, if delivered, would be among the most advanced weapons China has provided to Iran in recent years, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press conference on Monday that the relevant reports are not true. Mao said as a responsible major country, China has always fulfilled its international obligations, adding that China opposes malicious association and hype, and hopes relevant parties will do more to help ease tensions.

As Washington signaled that its conflict with Iran could last up to four weeks on Sunday local time, media scrutiny over US ammunition stockpiles has risen. A Chinese military affairs expert told the Global Times that although the US made relatively large-scale preparations for its strikes on Iran, limited ammunition reserves and declining defense industrial capacity may constrain its ability to sustain a prolonged high-intensity war.

After Iran's state media confirmed Sunday that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in US-Israeli attacks on Saturday, a Chinese military affair expert analyzed the military tactics deployed by the US to the Global Times, noting that the US has amassed forces around Iran and gathered intelligence, before simultaneously targeting Iranian military facilities and top leadership figures in the first wave of attacks. Meanwhile, Iran likely also has pre-planned its counter-strike strategy, launching missile attacks on an unprecedented scale.

First batch of Chinese nationals in Iran arrive at Astara crossing in Azerbaijan for evacuation

Naval and air units of the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted readiness patrols in the territorial sea and airspace of China's Huangyan Dao and its surrounding areas on Saturday. According to pilot communications featured in officially released footage, Chinese naval and air forces entered the area of the so-called joint patrols conducted by the Philippines, the US, Japan and Australia, Yuyuantantian, a social media account affiliated with China's state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV), explained the three considerations on Saturday evening.

The naval forces of the Southern Theater Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) conducted a routine patrol in the South China Sea from February 23 to 26. The Philippines co-opted countries outside the region to organize the so-called joint patrols, disrupting peace and stability in the region,Senior Captain Zhai Shichen, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command, said in a statement on Friday.

China firmly supports the purpose and objectives of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and the US accusations that China is conducting nuclear explosive tests are entirely groundless and are merely an excuse fabricated to justify its own potential resumption of nuclear testing, Shen Jian, Chinese ambassador for disarmament affairs, said at a high-level meeting on disarmament in Geneva on Monday local time, according to the China Central Television (CCTV).

US media recently reported that as the US government weighs stabilizing relations with China, a major arms sale to Taiwan island has fallen into limbo. The reports have reignited speculation in the Taiwan island over possibility of “US abandoning Taiwan island,” putting the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, who have long claimed that relations between the US and the island are “rock solid”, in an awkward position.

A Chinese military source told the Global Times that from Friday to Saturday, the HMAS Toowoomba, an Anzac-class frigate of the Royal Australian Navy, transited the Taiwan Straits. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) carried out full-process tracking, monitoring, and alert operations throughout the transit.

The Global Times learned from sources on Friday that the US military recently organized aircraft to conduct activities in the airspace facing China over the Yellow Sea. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), in accordance with laws and regulations, organized naval and air forces to conduct monitoring and alerting throughout the entire process, and effectively responded to and handled the situation.

According to sources, the US military recently organized aircraft to conduct activities in the airspace facing China over the Yellow Sea. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), in accordance with laws and regulations, organized sea and air forces to conduct continuous monitoring and alerting throughout the entire process, and effectively responded to and handled the situation.

The Chinese military conducted naval and air combat readiness patrols in the territorial waters of the South China Sea from Sunday to Monday, a spokesperson said on Tuesday.

In another attempted move to meddle in the Taiwan question, the US and Japan are scheduled to launch their annual joint military exercise "Iron Fist" on Wednesday local time, with drills scheduled to run through March 9, according to US military newspaper Stars and Stripes and Japanese official releases. A Chinese military affairs expert said on Wednesday that the US-Japan military calculation will find it difficult to realize their intended purposes.

With the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Air Force's J-10 fighter jets recently completing their flight performances at the Singapore Airshow, a Chinese military affairs expert highlighted a hidden significance behind the aircraft's airshow and joint drills in the past year, saying that the long-distance overseas flights of the Chinese aircraft mark the PLA Air Force's strides toward strategic force.

Senior Captain Zhai Shichen, spokesperson for the PLA Southern Theater Command stated, from February 2 to 6, the naval and air forces of the PLA Southern Theater Command conducted a routine patrol in the South China Sea. In an attempt to stir up troubles in the South China Sea, the Philippine side roped in countries outside the region and conducted so-called “bilateral air patrol”, undermining peace and stability in the region. Forces of the Southern Theater Command will remain on high alert and resolutely safeguard China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.

Palmer Luckey, founder of US defense contractor Anduril, posted an image with a caption on social media on Friday, claiming that "not convinced China's J-35 measures up to the real deal." His remarks quickly sparked a debate on international social platform, with some netizens mocking his comment.

The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy has commissioned yet another new Type 052D guided missile destroyer, the Ganzi (Hull Number 128), with its training footage released by official media on Thursday. A Chinese military affairs expert said that the Type 052D is a very capable class of warship that is suitable for mass production and continued upgrades, and ships of this class are making significant contributions to China's national defense.