Analysis & Reports

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is entering a new phase of modernization under the '15th Five-Year Plan' starting in March 2026, emphasizing political leadership and military readiness. Xi Jinping highlighted the integration of political ideology into military training and operations. The PLA plans to conduct over 2100 military open house events in 2026 to showcase its modernization efforts. The focus includes enhancing combat capabilities across land, sea, air, and cyber domains.

Li MinghuiSun Mar 22 2026Loading...

China is expanding its stealth fighter production capacity, with the J-20 facility in Chengdu capable of producing 100 to 120 aircraft annually and a new J-35 complex in Shenyang under construction. This expansion indicates a strategic shift towards large-scale manufacturing, potentially allowing for a total annual output of 300 to 400 aircraft. The developments are expected to significantly alter the air power balance in the Indo-Pacific region by the end of the decade.

Li MinghuiSat Mar 21 2026Loading...

In March 2026, the People's Liberation Army (PLA) is experiencing unprecedented internal upheaval due to a sweeping anti-corruption campaign. Numerous high-ranking officials, including the chief designer of the J-20 stealth fighter, have been removed amid concerns over systemic corruption. Concurrently, the PLA is advancing its modernization efforts, particularly in AI weapon systems and unmanned combat technologies, which are critical for maintaining military competitiveness against the U.S.

Li MinghuiSat Mar 21 2026Loading...

U.S. intelligence assessed that China has no plans for a military invasion of Taiwan by 2027, highlighting the difficulties of amphibious operations. The report indicates a significant shift in Japan's defense posture regarding Taiwan, while also critiquing the U.S. understanding of China's military modernization as overly simplistic. The evolving strategic environment in the Taiwan Strait involves complex geopolitical dynamics, not just military capabilities.

Li MinghuiFri Mar 20 2026Loading...

China's defense budget for 2026 is set at 1.91 trillion RMB, reflecting a 7% increase aimed at enhancing military modernization and national security. The People's Liberation Army is focusing on integrating AI technologies and expanding its production of advanced fighter jets like the J-20 and J-35. This budget growth underscores China's strategic prioritization of military capabilities amid economic challenges.

Li MinghuiFri Mar 20 2026Loading...

President Xi Jinping outlined China's military modernization goals during a press conference on March 18, 2026, emphasizing the importance of political leadership in the People's Liberation Army (PLA). The PLA aims to enhance its capabilities in artificial intelligence, unmanned systems, and hypersonic weapons by 2027, coinciding with its centenary. China's defense spending remains comparatively low, addressing concerns over regional military competition.

Li MinghuiThu Mar 19 2026Loading...

Yang Wei, the chief designer of China's J-20 stealth fighter, was removed from the Chinese Academy of Sciences website on March 17, 2023, and has not appeared publicly for over a year. This coincides with a significant anti-corruption campaign in China's defense sector, which has seen the dismissal of several high-ranking officials. The unusual removal of his information raises questions about his status and the implications for China's military aviation development.

Li MinghuiWed Mar 18 2026Loading...

AVIC is expanding its aircraft production capacity to 300-400 units annually by 2026, with new facilities in Chengdu and Shenyang. This expansion includes the production of J-20 and J-35 stealth fighters, potentially making the PLA Air Force the largest modern fighter force by 2029. The developments indicate a significant shift in global air power dynamics as China prepares for potential military operations, including scenarios involving Taiwan.

Li MinghuiWed Mar 18 2026Loading...

In March 2026, China proposed a defense budget of 1.91 trillion RMB, marking a 7% increase aimed at enhancing military modernization and integrating artificial intelligence. The People's Liberation Army is focusing on transitioning to intelligent warfare capabilities and developing advanced combat systems. This budget aligns with strategic goals set for 2027 and 2030, emphasizing the importance of AI in military operations.

Li MinghuiTue Mar 17 2026Loading...

China's Navy confirmed the commissioning of two 055 destroyers equipped with YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missiles and the deployment of the AR-2000 unmanned helicopter on the 075 amphibious assault ship in March 2026. This marks a significant enhancement of China's naval capabilities, particularly in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, with a total of 10 operational 055 destroyers now in service.

Li MinghuiMon Mar 16 2026Loading...

China's defense budget for 2026 is set at 1.91 trillion RMB, marking a 7% increase aimed at enhancing military modernization and addressing corruption within the People's Liberation Army. The budget prioritizes advanced weaponry development, defense technology innovation, and logistics modernization, reflecting strategic responses to regional security challenges. Despite being lower than U.S. military spending, China's actual defense expenditures may be significantly higher.

Li MinghuiMon Mar 16 2026Loading...

China's defense budget for 2026 reached 1.91 trillion RMB, reflecting a 7% increase aimed at accelerating military modernization. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) is enhancing its naval and aerial capabilities, with over 370 naval vessels and 3200 aircraft, including advanced stealth fighters. The PLA Rocket Force is also expanding its nuclear arsenal, with projections of 1500 warheads by 2035. These developments indicate a strategic focus on military readiness and regional influence.

Li MinghuiSun Mar 15 2026Loading...

The commissioning of the Fujian aircraft carrier (CV-18) on November 5, 2025, marks a significant advancement in the People's Liberation Army Navy's capabilities. Equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system, the Fujian enhances China's ability to deploy a diverse range of carrier-based aircraft, thereby strengthening its strategic position in the Western Pacific. This development is part of a broader plan to expand China's naval fleet to 395 vessels by 2025 and 435 by 2030, reflecting a shift towards a more capable and modern naval force.

Li MinghuiSun Mar 15 2026Loading...

The People's Liberation Army (PLA) suspended routine flight activities in Taiwan's air defense identification zone for nearly two weeks in March 2026, resuming with five aircraft. This unusual pause reflects significant internal restructuring and purges within the PLA, impacting command and control. Over 100 senior officers have been dismissed since 2022, leading to a weakened decision-making structure and lowered military readiness.

Li MinghuiSat Mar 14 2026Loading...

In March 2026, China's defense budget growth slowed to 7%, the lowest since 2021, while a significant political purge within the People's Liberation Army (PLA) continues, affecting over 100 senior officers. This restructuring focuses on enhancing loyalty to the Communist Party and modernizing military capabilities, particularly in artificial intelligence and cyber warfare. The purges are notably concentrated in the Western Theater Command, indicating dissatisfaction with past military performance.

Li MinghuiSat Mar 14 2026Loading...

China announced a defense budget of 1.94 trillion RMB (approximately 282 billion USD) on March 10, 2026, marking a 6.9% increase from the previous year. The budget emphasizes modernization and strategic capabilities, focusing on advanced weaponry and military technology. This increase is contextualized within China's economic growth and the upcoming centenary of the People's Liberation Army in 2027, reflecting a commitment to enhancing national defense in a complex security environment.

Li MinghuiFri Mar 13 2026Loading...

China's defense budget for 2026 is set at 1.91 trillion yuan, marking a 7% increase aimed at enhancing military modernization. The People's Liberation Army Navy has commissioned 10 new 055-class destroyers, significantly boosting its naval capabilities. The budget reflects a strategic focus on integrating advanced technologies and maintaining a balance between defense spending and economic growth.

Li MinghuiThu Mar 12 2026Loading...

China announced a defense budget of 1.91 trillion RMB (approximately 277 billion USD) on March 5, 2026, reflecting a 7% increase. Concurrently, the People's Liberation Army is undergoing a significant anti-corruption campaign, resulting in the purging of over 100 senior generals. Despite these internal changes, military activities around Taiwan have intensified, indicating a continued focus on military modernization and regional assertiveness.

Li MinghuiThu Mar 12 2026Loading...

China announced a 6.9% increase in its defense budget for 2026, totaling 1.94 trillion RMB (approximately 282 billion USD), to enhance military modernization. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) will focus on advanced weaponry, logistics, and training of high-quality military personnel. This budget reflects China's strategic priorities amid regional tensions, particularly in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.

Li MinghuiWed Mar 11 2026Loading...

Xi Jinping emphasized the necessity of political loyalty within the People's Liberation Army (PLA) during a speech on March 7, 2026, amid a significant purge of military leaders. He reiterated the importance of anti-corruption efforts, having removed 101 senior leaders since 2022. The PLA's defense budget is set to increase by 7%, reflecting ongoing modernization efforts aimed at achieving key military capabilities by 2027.

Li MinghuiTue Mar 10 2026Loading...