EXPLAINED: 11 - The Real Truth

China begins three days of military drills in Taiwan Strait

PLA announces exercises amid Chinese anger over meeting between Taiwan’s President and US House Speaker.

Al Jazeera · Apr 8, 2023

Commentary: Will Kevin McCarthy’s meeting with Taiwan’s president provoke more conflict with China?

The last time a U.S. speaker of the house met Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen, the visit prompted extensive blowback in China. The People’s Liberation Army (PLA), as China’s military is formally called, responded briskly, conducting days of military exercises around the self-governed island. These were no normal military exercises either.…

Chicago Tribune · Apr 5, 2023

Chinese military relaxes physical rules for non-combat, hi-tech troops. But there's a catch

The Chinese military will ease the physical thresholds for "urgently needed" hi-tech professionals as it steps up a modernisation drive.

Bangkok Post · Apr 2, 2023

Li Shangfu: US-sanctioned aerospace expert becomes China’s new defence minister

Experts say General Li Shangfu could play a key role in Xi Jinping’s goals for ‘a world-class military’

The Independent UK · Mar 12, 2023

US-sanctioned general to become public face of China's growing military

HONG KONG: General Li Shangfu, named on Sunday as China's new defence minister, is a veteran of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) modernisation effort - a drive that led the United States to sanction him over the acquisition of weapons from Russia.

Bangkok Post · Mar 12, 2023

U.S.-sanctioned general to become public face of China's growing military

General Li Shangfu, named on Sunday as China's new defence minister, is a veteran of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) modernisation effort - a drive that led the United States to sanction him over the acquisition of weapons from Russia.

Reuters · Mar 12, 2023

China’s Xi Awarded 3rd Term as President, Extending Rule

Chinese leader Xi Jinping was awarded a third five-year term as president Friday, putting him on track to stay in power for life at a time of severe economic challenges and rising tensions with the US and others. The endorsement of Xi’s appointment by the ceremonial National People’s Congress was…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 10, 2023

China's Xi Calls for 'More Quickly Elevating' Armed Forces

China’s leader Xi Jinping has called for “more quickly elevating the armed forces to world-class standards,” in a speech days after he warned the country was threatened by a US-led campaign of “containment, encirclement and suppression of China.” China must maximize its “national strategic capabilities” in a bid to “systematically…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 9, 2023

China's Xi calls for 'more quickly elevating' armed forces

China's leader Xi Jinping has called for “more quickly elevating the armed forces to world-class standards.”

The Independent UK · Mar 9, 2023

Taiwan Warns of China Military’s ‘Sudden Entry’ Close to Island

Taiwan Defense Minister Chiu Kuo-cheng warned on Monday the island has to be on alert this year for a "sudden entry" by the Chinese military into areas close to its territory amid rising military tensions across the Taiwan Strait. China has stepped up its military activities around Taiwan in recent…

Asharq Al-Awsat · Mar 6, 2023