The new space race is heating up, with the United States warning that its major rival China is narrowing the gap as it makes rapid technology gains. While China says its ambitious plans remain peaceful and that it rejects the weaponisation of space, some of the technologies it has developed in recent years also have…
The Chinese military released a video showing it conducted a “combat-readiness patrol” around a disputed island near the Philippines—a defense treaty ally of the United States. The South China Sea island, Scarborough Shoal, known as Huangyan Dao in Chinese and Bajo de Masinloc in Filipino, has been under Beijing’s control since a 2012 maritime standoff…
China is building a new fleet of replenishment ships—capable of providing supplies to other vessels at sea—as the East Asian power’s navy expands its overseas presence. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment via email. Why It Matters China possesses over 370 naval vessels, making it the world’s largest navy by…
The United States and China have deployed aircraft carriers in the South China Sea—where the sovereignty claims of several countries overlap—as they compete for naval dominance. USS George Washington was patrolling the U.S. Seventh Fleet’s area of operations—which refers to the western Pacific and Indian Oceans—with a strike group, the U.S. Navy said. Meanwhile, CNS…
China’s powerful Central Military Commission has shrunk to its smallest size in decades under the leadership of Xi Jinping, a Newsweek analysis shows, with analysts saying it highlights the personalisation of his control – and efforts to make the military combat-ready. The changes come at a critical time for China as it rivals the United…
The Chinese military has deployed a spy ship, a patrol aircraft and drones in waters around Japan’s southwestern islands in recent days, according to the United States ally. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense Ministry for comment via email. Why It Matters Japan forms part of the so-called First Island Chain—a Western Pacific defensive line—alongside…
The Chinese navy said on Monday that its two aircraft carriers repeatedly encountered foreign warships and aircraft while operating simultaneously in the broader western Pacific. Both CNS Liaoning and CNS Shandong maintained “high vigilance and responsiveness” to combat scenarios, handling the situation “professionally and soundly,” China‘s navy said. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese Defense Ministry…
Chinese state media released undated footage on Sunday saying the country’s fighter jets had “expelled” foreign military aircraft that approached the East Asian power’s airspace. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment by email. Why It Matters Close aerial encounters between Chinese and foreign militaries are not uncommon as the United…
China continues to expand its military reach around the world as one of its naval ships was seen transiting the Strait of Gibraltar and heading into the Atlantic Ocean over the weekend. The presence of the Chinese navy near NATO member states comes as the United States has dispatched an aircraft carrier-led strike group from…
The Chinese military has concluded its unprecedented dual aircraft carrier deployment in the broader western Pacific, as one of the warships was spotted leaving the region, Japan has said. Newsweek has contacted the Chinese defense and foreign ministries for comment by email. Why It Matters The Chinese navy is the world’s largest by hull count,…