China Military News & Analysis

AI with Chinese Characteristics

Generated by Google Gemini AI on May 4, 2026. All flags, maps, and likenesses contained within this image are not necessarily accurate representations of reality.

What does victory for Beijing in the US-China AI competition look like? Tighter control for the CCP at home and elevated criminal, military, censorship, and data security risks abroad.

China’s Irregular Maritime Forces: Vanguard of the South China Sea

Philippine Coast Guard personnel survey several ships believed to be Chinese militia vessels in Sabina Shoal in the South China Sea, in a handout photo distributed by the Philippine Coast Guard on 5 May and taken according to source on 27 April 2021., modified, Philippines Coast Guard, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?sort=last_edit_desc&search=china+maritime+militia+filetype%3Abitmap&title=Special%3ASearch&profile=advanced&fulltext=1&advancedSearch-current=%7B%22fields%22%3A%7B%22filetype%22%3A%22bitmap%22%7D%7D&ns0=1&ns6=1&ns12=1&ns14=1&ns100=1&ns106=1#/media/File:Philippine_coast_guard-COFTLDK4CRL5LFGQLAVIYGDEQE.jpg

China’s irregular maritime forces were essential in redrawing the map of the South China Sea over the past two decades, and they remain a fixture in any new ground-level clash with rival claimants.

China in 2024: More Challenges to International Order

cc BriYYZ , modified, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?limit=500&offset=0&profile=default&search=PRC+flag&title=Special:Search&ns0=1&ns6=1&ns12=1&ns14=1&ns100=1&ns106=1#/media/File:PRC_Flag_(6349183113).jpg

The year 2024 will witnesses a dynamic and assertive China, challenging the existing global order across economic, military, and diplomatic fronts.

The Other $400 Billion: Blurred Lines in China’s Military Budget

cc US Department of Defense, modified, https://flickr.com/photos/39955793@N07/46797927122/in/photolist-2einBjs-25RsUDW-2mJeyTg-5BvTXg-zHTW31-fZRQJM-Hqxpbk-Mpmu6K-ARNzLP-AFwQnS-VFv1sT-2kbXX1w-27w1yRo-4dtKJ4-LPykXD-a44fms-74MMmV-74RFK7-2mJgMXz-74RFB1-GsH5zw-ehevvw-25RpJnj-yszaYi-MffrkV-25RsUVY-XGvJ8L-2oLDXFy-Wx56fX-XLAAin-XLAACF-Q3V2VA-2oLJVZv-XLAzFv-27eBSfe-Xaywju-Xyp1pv-XLABqn-2kMLCzX-egrQ5b-5Aciws-27eBSjn-Xyp54e-ecg9P5-gbDFkL-XGw37m-2kMRquJ-28BpW3e-WuLFPq-25RpJe3

Examining the reasons behind Beijing’s real and imagined defense budgets.

The Xi Era Is Just Getting Started in China

cc COP PARIS, modified, https://www.flickr.com/photos/cop21/23049751989

The 20th Congress has solidified Xi Jinping’s position as the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong.

Taiwan’s Status Quo Buckles under Pelosi Visit

USS Ronald Reagan, modified, https://flickr.com/photos/usnavy/50089780123/in/photolist-2jjgdwF-2hgAqN9-2jrnQrr-ZXAE4J-2jGw9j9-2jvXBjn-2jNppqQ-2dR5EXZ-2m1hMbn-2jBYK4B-2jtyT73-2k7zJsz-2ksw293-2ksvAwm-N7mqmC-2jxV72v-29M8fHk-BG8atR-5q557k-2jqnEFe-2jsWLwM-2k7zKiT-2k7vneS-2k7zbNM-2k7zJRL-2ksrTj4-2ksw29P-2ksw26T-2ksvAuT-2ksrTnR-2ksrTkw-28XPG8o-L6irEK-28Cx9rm-LvSarM-2anwAme-2mxVptj-2kyWY7E-2m28UPb-2kyWY9t-2my3ZDm-2mhWCoy-2kZGeYn-2gRkGyF-2mqZ8Ff-2m8WMPF-2mgZr1i-28LjDdE-2m4Vwr9-2m2Z2No, cc US Navy

A tense visit from US Speaker Nancy Pelosi is serving to underline how longstanding certainties no longer hold true in the Taiwan Strait.

China’s Diplomatic Push in the Pacific Stalls

U.S. Department of State, cc Flickr, modified, https://www.flickr.com/photos/statephotos/17530182378

The apparent collapse of a wide-ranging security and economic agreement suggests a triangular arrangement for Pacific nations moving forward.

Was China Betting on Russian Defeat All Along?

cc kremlin.ru, modified, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Vladimir_Putin_and_Xi_Jinping,_BRICS_summit_2015_01.jpg

The best outcome of the Ukraine invasion for Beijing is a weakened, isolated, and dependent Russia. Perhaps this was the plan all along.

Backgrounder: China’s Military Modernization Comes of Age

cc Flickr emperornie, modified, https://www.flickr.com/photos/77326563@N06/14110452040/

The latest defense department report on China’s military modernization suggests that Beijing is rapidly closing the capability gap with Western peers, particularly with regard to air, sea, and missile forces.

Is the Australia-UK-USA Trilateral Security Partnership (AUKUS) a Gamechanger?

Pictured is HMS Ambush returning to HMNB Clyde in Scotland., cc Flickr Defence Images, https://flickr.com/photos/defenceimages/9522632603/in/photolist-fvtYUK-2jvDiab-fmb3EE-2ki7bRg-2hLXvyq-2kYn1ir-vWMtJQ-2krQA2g-Xda2ms-2gVEfRr-2dvRio9-2bxdsxh-2kZSKx7-2gnGJiZ-i1Cji-2grCbXH-divhFt-ek2ELw-2grCcix-2gnH86i-8mkqff-fmb3Dj-7CPPUd-hKchQ-2gUoQq4-dkxhD8-divhBV-2iukW5U-6sw9G1-5yypmV-dF5FSj-dEZgsr-dF5FPJ-SWdZuE-evC8Ec-hJEvb4-HHdBMr-divgvQ-divhJn-fpm5Po-divgzj-6z8nQp-ijchoS-wey27c-fp6Q3Z-rDjWBr-D3FtQV-2jddQbZ-2jx7D5g-2m3g9Mk

The AUKUS pact is notable in its shift from style to substance in US-led efforts to counter China in the Indo-Pacific.

Global Forecast (3-7-2021)

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Examining the issues and hotspots that will be making headlines in the week ahead.

Hong Kong Security Law Ringing Alarm Bells in UK, Canada, and Australia

Hong Kong protests in 2019; cc Flickr Studio Incendo, modified, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

In rhetoric, and increasingly in the realm of defense spending as well, Western countries are preparing for a more adversarial relationship with China.

SIPRI Annual Report: Three Takeaways from Global Defense Spending

cc Flickr Official U.S. Navy Page, modified, https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/, PACIFIC OCEAN (Feb. 12, 2020) An unarmed Trident II (D5LE) missile launches from Ohio-class ballistic missile submarine USS Maine (SSBN 741) off the coast of San Diego, California, Feb. 12, 2020. The test launch was part of the U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs’ demonstration and shakedown operation certification process. The successful launch demonstrated the readiness of the SSBN’s strategic weapon system and crew following the submarine’s engineered refueling overhaul. This launch marks 177 successful missile launches of the Trident II (D5 & D5LE) strategic weapon system. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Thomas Gooley/Released)

Geopolitical forces could mean that the global COVID-19 dip in defense spending turns out to be short-lived.

PLA Navy vs. Japan Maritime SDF: Outcomes of a Potential Clash

South China Sea - Independence-variant littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6), top, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Murasame-class destroyer JS Yudachi (DD 103) sail together in the South China Sea. Jackson, part of Destroyer Squadron Seven, are on a rotational deployment in the U.S. 7th Fleet area of operation to enhance interoperability with partners and serve as a ready-response force in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific region. / https://www.pacom.mil/media/image-gallery/igphoto/2002883371/

The news of China’s first aircraft carrier being launched is definitely relevant in terms of China’s long-term naval policy.

PLA Navy Bristles at US Presence

cc US Navy, modified, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:People%27s_Liberation_Army_%28Navy%29_frigate_PLA%28N%29_Yueyang_%28FF_575%29_steams_in_formation_with_42_other_ships_and_submarines_during_Rim_of_the_Pacific_%28RIMPAC%29_Exercise_2014.jpg

Beijing’s calls for an end to U.S. military surveillance off of its coast reflect a desire to carve out a regional sphere of influence for the PLA Navy.

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