XI JINPINGS MILITARY MODERNIZATION DRIVE
With a corrupt military, can China's Xi Jinping wage and win a war?
Despite Xi Jinping's efforts to strengthen China's military, internal corruption and challenges in military modernization hinder the country's ambitions for global dominance. The ongoing anti-corruption campaign and concerns over military capabilities pose significant obstacles in Xi's quest for establishing a 'world-class' military.
Xi continues his drive to purify the PLA and instill loyalty
Xi is heavily involved in military appointments and promotions, supposedly of candidates who are reliable, competent and loyal. Yet with so much cash being splashed around in ever-increasing defence budgets, some high-up officers in the PLA have seized the opportunity to profit personally.
Slacker generation’s social-media movement against ‘996’ work culture is a warning for Beijing
In response to China's notorious "996" work culture, characterized by grueling 9 am to 9 pm shifts six days a week, a new social media trend called "birding" has emerged. Young Chinese citizens are symbolically rejecting excessive work expectations by posting videos of themselves perched with hands tucked in oversized shirts, digitally placed on tree backgrounds. This protest underscores growing discontent with long hours and poor work-life balance, challenging traditional notions of productivity and national ethos.
In China's backyard, America has become a humbler superpower
Far from Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, as the Group of 7 wealthy democracies gathered in Italy to discuss a range of old, entrenched challenges, the nature of American power is being transformed across the region that Washington sees as crucial for the century to come: the Asia-Pacific.
US President Biden says not ruling out using military force to defend Taiwan
In an interview published on Tuesday in Time magazine, Biden said he has made clear to Chinese President Xi Jinping that the United States will not seek independence for Taiwan as Washington had agreed with Beijing, Focus Taiwan reported.
Xi Jinping exposes cracks in China's governance model
President Vladimir Putin emphasized Russia and China's commitment to a more democratic multipolar world order during his visit to China. Critics point to Xi Jinping's concentration of power, erosion of norms, and struggles in maintaining control over the PLA, raising concerns about China's governance model.
- Go To Page 1
As China's Xi Jinping visits Europe, Ukraine, trade and investment are likely to top the agenda
Chinese leader Xi Jinping's European tour focuses on Ukraine, trade, and strategic alliances amidst heightened tensions. Starting in Paris, he meets Macron, signaling European autonomy. Visits to Hungary and Serbia, seen as China-friendly, strengthen ties amid criticism of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. US watches closely for geopolitical shifts.
China's PLA undergoes major restructure as it emphasises information capabilities for war
Xi Jinping replaces PLA's Strategic Support Force with Information Support Force in a significant overhaul. The move aims to enhance military efficiency and political oversight, with direct CMC control over the new force. Former SSF's functions, including cyber and space operations, are divided among the four arms, emphasizing centralized command.
President Xi Jinping initiates sweeping reorganisation of China's military
Xi is creating a new branch called the Information Support Force. The aerospace and cyber units previously under the Strategic Support Force will now be organisationally parallel to the newly created Information Support Force, the defence ministry said in a statement. The aerospace unit will improve China's capability to use space and step up the management of space crises, the ministry said.
President Xi launches Information Support Force for Chinese military, a new wing to fight cyber wars
Xi Jinping launched the Information Support Force, a strategic branch of the People's Liberation Army, emphasizing real-time war exercises and the missile force as part of the two million troops after a military revamp.
China had a 'special place' in PM Modi's heart, now it's a thorn in his side
The once-friendly relationship between Narendra Modi and China has soured, with border disputes escalating and trade imbalances persisting. Despite Modi's efforts to position India as a global power, China's economic and military dominance remains a challenge. India has strengthened ties with the US and other nations, but the specter of China looms large, particularly in South Asia. Modi's government is focusing on infrastructure and military upgrades to counter Chinese encroachment, but finding an equilibrium remains elusive.
China preparing to invade Taiwan, warns retired US Navy Admiral. Know about Chinese plans and Taiwan's fears
Earlier in 2020, the White House National Security Strategy published a report saying China was working to undermine the U.S.-led international order. It also warned that Washington was currently in "a decisive decade".
China vows to treat foreign firms equally amid industrial upgrade push
For years, Western firms have complained of unequal access in China, a vast consumer market and also global supplier of raw materials and components. Western governments have expressed concern about "economic coercion", and companies have considered "de-risking" supply chains and operations away from China.
Top PLA general calls for crackdown on 'fake combat capabilities' in Chinese military
In a surprising turn of events, General He Weidong, the second-ranked vice-chairman of China's powerful Central Military Commission (CMC), has raised doubts about the effectiveness of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) combat exercises, calling them "fake combat capabilities." This comes at a time when Chinese President Xi Jinping has emphasized the need for the PLA to prepare for "maritime military struggles" to secure victory in wars.
China's rapidly expanding nuclear weapon stockpile remains opaque
Chinese military spokesmen have neither confirmed nor denied the expansion of the ICBM force, and the authors of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists chapter on China acknowledged the opacity of the PLARF: "Analyzing and estimating China's nuclear forces is a challenging endeavor, particularly given the relative lack of state-originating data and the tight control of messaging surrounding the country's nuclear arsenal and doctrine." Beijing has never officially revealed warhead numbers, and its opacity regarding its nuclear capability is legendary.
China building villages on disputed border with Bhutan amid talks to reach boundary settlement: Report
China is building border villages in the disputed territory with Bhutan, serving a dual role of poverty alleviation and national security. Despite ongoing border talks, the villages continue to expand. The construction is happening despite previous standoffs and disputes with India and Bhutan.
China 'Pushes the Boundaries' with its expanding borders
China is using aggressive tactics to expand its territory in Bhutan, the South China Sea, and Japan's Senkaku Islands. It is building settlements, roads, hydropower stations, and military outposts in disputed areas, causing tensions with neighboring countries.
Taiwan island scarred by China war prepares for key vote
Taiwan's Kinmen island, located 200 kilometers from Taiwan island but only seven kilometers from the Chinese mainland, is preparing to vote in a crucial presidential election on Saturday. Kinmen, which lies 200 kilometers from Taiwan island but only seven kilometers from the Chinese mainland, was a battlefield frontline for nationalists who fled to Taiwan in 1949 and was the target of frequent bombardments up until 1979.
Is Xi Jinping's 'China Dream' beginning to crumble?
Chairman Xi Jinping's once golden touch seems to be fading as China faces challenges on multiple fronts. Allegations of corruption within the People's Liberation Army (PLA) are hampering its readiness, with reports of missiles being filled with water. Xi's purges and reports of corruption are also impacting the CCP's direction and relations with key adversaries.
Abrupt dismissals point to Xi Jinping's quiet shake-up of China's military
Nine high-ranking Chinese military figures were recently removed as delegates to the country's Communist Party-run legislature, without official explanation. The move indicates that President Xi Jinping's latest offensive to root out alleged corruption and other misconduct in the People's Liberation Army has been gaining momentum and is focused on the politically sensitive agencies responsible for developing weapons and military installations.
China appoints Admiral Dong Jun new defence minister, but opacity reigns
Even as Chairman Xi Jinping promised that Taiwan would be "reunified" with the mainland, China's newly appointed defence minister was making himself comfortable in the office of his predecessor, who disappeared after being ensnared in a scandal.
Sweeping Chinese military purge exposes weakness, could widen, says Analysts
China's top lawmakers ousted nine senior military officers from the national legislative body on Friday, state media reported, a step that typically precedes further punishment for wayward cadres. Many of these were from the Rocket Force - a key arm of the PLA overseeing tactical and nuclear missiles.
US companies are picky about investing in China. The exceptions? Burgers, lattes
As tensions simmer between China and its Western trading partners, many MNCs are shifting investments to other places, such as Southeast Asia or India, or repatriating their earnings. That has sapped China of a key engine when its economy has yet to fully recover from the disruptions of the pandemic and a property industry crisis that has been a drag on growth.
US Treasury Janet Yellen urges China to shift from 'unfair' state-driven economic policy
US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urges China to reform its economic approach, cautioning against excessive state intervention and security apparatus influence, citing potential deterrents for investors. Highlighting unfair practices, she emphasizes the need for fair competition and transparency in US-China economic ties. Despite differing views, both countries aim to bolster trade cooperation, while Yellen stresses the importance of clear communication to prevent misunderstandings and conflicts.
Can China carry out Pearl Harbor-style strike to end US supremacy? Know in detail
If media reports are to be believed, China can carry out a massive 'bolt-from-the-blue attack' that could wipe out most of the military assets in the Indo-Pacific region. This could forever mark the end of the US as a superpower. Know all about it on the 82nd National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day.
View: When Xi went all xmiley face
There was no joint statement, and no progress reported on the most sensitive areas, including Taiwan. Old talking points were reused. Biden said the US reaffirms the 'one-China' policy, and Xi said to stop arming Taiwan. Biden did not relax economic or technology restrictions as China wanted, and the fundamentals of competition did not change.
Chinese Communist Party marred by corruption for decades
The Chinese leadership has throughout its existence from 1949 till the present have been acknowledging the menace of corruption within the party, government and the country’s society as a whole. This acceptance has however not borne much results in terms of tangible results such as reduction in corruption cases.
China says anti-corruption efforts within military 'will never stop'
"At present, the fight against corruption has achieved overwhelming success and has been comprehensively consolidated," said defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian in response to a question about the whereabouts of a former Rocket Force commander. "The Chinese military always adheres to the rule of law, comprehensively and strictly runs the army, and has zero tolerance for corruption and malpractice," said Wu.
China's military, 'chasing the dream,' probes Taiwan's defences
Chinese naval ships and air force planes have been edging closer to Taiwan's territorial seas and skies, probing the island's vigilance and trying to wear down its military planes and ships. Chinese forces have also been operating more frequently in skies and waters off the island's eastern coast, facing the West Pacific. China's increasing presence there signals its intent to dominate an expanse of sea that could be vital for the island's defenses, including for securing potential aid from the United States in a conflict, experts say.
Load More
