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South China Morning Post
a day ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
China's PLA Daily slams US Golden Dome missile defence plan, warns of space arms race
China's military newspaper has condemned America's planned ' Golden Dome ' space-based missile defence system, warning that it may threaten global strategic stability and trigger an arms race in space. 'The development of the Golden Dome system and the US Space Force's rapid expansion have further militarised outer space,' a commentary in the PLA Daily warned on Thursday, adding that such moves could potentially intensify great power rivalry and challenge international arms control norms. The official People's Liberation Army publication also highlighted Washington's recent steps to speed up the US$175 billion Golden Dome programme, including the setting up of a 'technical integrated planning team' led by General Michael Guetlein. Guetlein, vice-chief of space operations at the US Space Force, was appointed direct programme manager for the Golden Dome missile defence project last month. 01:26 Trump's Golden Dome shows US 'obsessed with absolute security', China says Trump's Golden Dome shows US 'obsessed with absolute security', China says The paper also highlighted critical programmes under the US Space Development Agency (SDA) and Missile Defence Agency (MDA).
India.com
2 days ago
- Politics
- India.com
The Ally Who Gifted Billions To India Just Gave China A Sleepless Night
New Delhi: The country that once gifted India a multi-billion-dollar lifeline has just rattled Asia's biggest military power. Japan, India's closest strategic ally in the East, has jolted China wide awake with a powerful signal from Mount Fuji. Not words. Not warnings. But missiles. In a stunning display of military precision, Japan test-fired long-range anti-ship and hypersonic missiles during a live-fire drill near Mount Fuji. The event, part of an annual military exercise, was meant to signal readiness. But the fallout went far beyond Japanese borders. By June 11 morning, the Chinese military's official newspaper, PLA Daily, had fired its own salvo, this time in words. It accused Japan of abandoning its pacifist past and dangerously redrawing the region's balance of power. The report warned that the extended range of these new Japanese missiles could 'threaten surrounding regions' and questioned whether Tokyo had just violated its own post-WWII constitution. The Chinese fear runs deeper. The newspaper did not mince words and called Japan's move a 'strategic threat'. It alleged Tokyo is secretly preparing for a first-strike capability. The article even suggested that Japan intentionally avoided sensitive zones like Okinawa during the test to escape global scrutiny. Drafted under U.S. guidance after its WWII defeat, Japan's constitution forbids it from maintaining aggressive military capabilities. But recent years have seen Tokyo steadily expand its defense preparedness. China says the missile tests are proof that Japan is shifting from defense to offense and dragging Asia into a new arms race. What exactly did Japan fire? According to the Japanese media, the military tested upgraded Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles and the futuristic Hypersonic Velocity Gliding Projectiles (HVGPs). The weapons are not for show. The Type-12s are headed for Japan's southern Kyushu Island within range of China. Meanwhile, the HVGPs are likely to be stationed in the north, in Hokkaido, potentially aimed at another rising threat that is Russia. For India, this is more than just geopolitics. Japan has long been one of New Delhi's most reliable friends. From low-interest infrastructure loans to crucial technology partnerships, Japan has supported India's rise with both trust and capital. The iconic Bullet Train project in India, for instance, is being built on a 50-year loan of Rs 88,000 crore at just 1% interest – with repayments starting only after 15 years. But now, that same 'generous friend' is sharpening its own claws. Tokyo's move comes amid rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific, where China's muscle-flexing has alarmed most of its neighbors. With Japan now flexing back, and India already locked in its own standoff with China – a new axis of resistance is forming. Missiles may have flown over Mount Fuji. But the real tremors were felt in Beijing.
South China Morning Post
03-05-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
China's military likens anti-corruption drive to preparations for war
Campaigns to tighten political control of the People's Liberation Army have repeatedly proved necessary ahead of 'key wars' and 'important intersections', the Chinese military's mouthpiece has said as an anti-corruption drive goes deeper into the PLA's leadership. Advertisement In one of a number of articles on the topic in the past week, the PLA Daily said in a commentary on Wednesday that the Chinese military should 'make good use of political rectification' – a euphemism for anti-corruption and political loyalty – to be fully prepared for combat at any time. 'Looking back on the history of development of our military, we have carried out major rectification every time before a key war,' the article said, referring to the second Sino-Japanese war, China's civil war, and the Korean war. By getting rid of corrupt practices and unifying political loyalty, political rectification had 'not only ensured the completion of the military missions at the time, but also had an important impact on the construction and development of our army'. At a time of growing national security uncertainty, the forces should not expect to be 'soldiers and officers of peace time', the article said. Advertisement Another article in the PLA Daily, also published on Wednesday, said rectifications of the military had been needed at each 'key historical intersection', referring to campaigns in revolutionary days, during the war against Japanese aggression and another one right before the victory of the civil war.
South China Morning Post
27-03-2025
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Japan goes on the offensive with Joint Operations Command, China's PLA Daily says
Japan's launch of a permanent Joint Operations Command clearly signals a stronger offensive capacity and deeper defence ties with the US, China's military mouthpiece said on Wednesday. Advertisement The PLA Daily commentary, authored by specialists from the People's Liberation Army Academy of Military Science, appeared just two days after Japan officially opened the command, unifying Japan's ground, maritime, and air forces. According to the Japan Times, the move will also enable quicker and coordinated responses to 'possible emergencies – including over democratic Taiwan'. Chinese officials and military analysts said the development was part of a broader US-led strategy to encircle China militarily, raising alarm over regional stability and Tokyo's departure from its pacifist constitution. The new command aimed to 'improve the self-defence forces' command efficiency and cross-domain joint combat capabilities', while simultaneously 'strengthening offensive combat capabilities', the analysis said. Advertisement 'From an alliance perspective, the establishment of the Joint Operations Command signifies that Japan-US military coordination has entered a deeply integrated new phase,' the commentary noted. The PLA analysis further highlighted concerns over Japan's expanding offensive capabilities, particularly its potential for pre-emptive strikes against enemy missile bases. These developments align with Japan's revised 2022 National Security Strategy, emphasising 'counterstrike' capabilities without clear operational limits.
South China Morning Post
28-02-2025
- South China Morning Post
Chinese military unveils new data unit to help naval commanders make decisions
The Chinese military has formed a new data unit to help naval commanders make decisions – something that could be extended to other branches of the armed forces in future. Advertisement A report in the official People's Liberation Army Daily said the naval training unit was building an 'expert' team to enhance the use of data resources and develop advanced training methods. The report said a recent naval exercise had seen thousands of combat data points being swiftly analysed and compiled into a report that was given to ships. The unit's leader, who was not named in the report, said that simply possessing data was insufficient adding: 'Timely processing, precise analysis and effective application are essential to unlocking the full potential of data and generating enhanced combat power.' The report said the team included 'data collectors', who gather mission-critical, foundational and dynamic data, and 'data managers,' who organise and standardise data from various sources. Advertisement 'The unit has leveraged data to deeply analyse combat strategies, assess force deployment under different threat scenarios and accelerate the development of training environments and simulation tools,' PLA Daily added. Song Zhongping, a former PLA instructor said: 'In addition to supporting commanders in making precise decisions during operations, the data system also allows for post-combat reviews and identifying weaknesses in ship formations when defending against incoming missiles. This helps commanders refine tactics and improve coordination.'
