CSIS – The United States should flag this activity as another example of China’s grey zone tactics targeting Indo-Pacific partners. Washington and Seoul should consider releasing the coordinates of the Chinese structures for public use and analysis. Washington should support any South Korean claims of unilateral violations of the PMZ agreement by China. In sum, what the new National Security Strategy mandates for the South China Sea is applicable to U.S. and South Korean efforts to maintain freedom of navigation in the Yellow Sea.

Naval News – The vast expanse of the Pacific Ocean, over 5,000 nautical miles across, protects the West Coast of the United States against Chinese naval forces in the event of a war. The appearance of new extra-extra-large underwater drones (XXLUUVs) changes this, providing China with low-risk options to directly threaten West Coast ports.

Naval News – Hidden beneath tarpaulins, an uncommon sight at Chinese shipyards, a new trimaran-hulled vessel appears to combine features of both surface ships and submarines. Satellite imagery suggests it may be uncrewed, designed for high-speed operations. Though its purpose remains unknown, the project reflects the accelerating pace and growing sophistication of China’s naval innovation.

Global Times – Less than two weeks after the commissioning of China’s third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy announced on Tuesday that the electromagnetic catapult-equipped warship has already conducted its first live-force maritime training in a carrier formation. This reflected the speed how fast the Fujian is becoming combat-ready, said experts.

Reuters – China is mobilizing an armada of civilian ships that could help in an invasion of Taiwan – a mission that could surpass the Second World War’s Normandy landings. Reuters used ship tracking data and satellite images to monitor the role civilian vessels played in Chinese maritime exercises this summer. The drills revealed that China is devising concrete invasion plans, naval warfare experts say, and rehearsing new techniques aimed at speeding up beach landings of troops and equipment in a bid to overwhelm Taiwan’s defenders.

China Maritime Studies Institute – At present and for a period into the future, numerous security concerns and threats will persist along China’s periphery, in the far seas, and overseas. [China’s] national security threats are primarily at sea, the focal point of military struggle is at sea, and the center of gravity for the expansion of [China’s] national interest is also at sea.3 As the elite amphibious combat force, the PLAN Marine Corps finds its primary theaters of operations in oceans, on islands, and overseas. It must closely monitor maritime and overseas security developments, accurately assess security threats, coordinate maritime and overseas operations, clearly identify military requirements, accelerate transformation and development, and continuously enhance combat capabilities. This will enable it to play a critical role participating in global maritime governance and winning high-end maritime conflict.

National Interest – The People’s Liberation Army Navy might not actually be able to beat the US Navy in the Indo-Pacific. But if it looks like it can, China will reap strategic benefits.

The War Zone – China has assembled an array of unusual open-decked ships for testing and training purposes in recent years.

Covert Shores – Now several generations of submarine behind the latest Type-039C and Type-041 classes, it seems likely that the first in class Type-039 Song is now assigned a specialized role. The submarine has been observed fitted with mountings for some sort of container or vehicle on her aft casing.

CIMSEC – China will likely test its military might in small wars before embarking on a larger one. The world should take note of China’s entry and actions during a small war. When the People’s Republic of China does engage in a small war, the world will know China is preparing for the forceful reunification of Taiwan.

Naval News – Hidden beneath tarpaulins, an uncommon sight at Chinese shipyards, a new trimaran-hulled vessel appears to combine features of both surface ships and submarines. Satellite imagery suggests it may be uncrewed, designed for high-speed operations. Though its purpose remains unknown, the project reflects the accelerating pace and growing sophistication of China’s naval innovation.

Covert Shores – When China unveiled its first ever large displacement underwater drone for the Navy in 2019, the 5-meter long HSU001, it was as if China was only taking baby steps on the road to autonomous undersea warfare. At the time Beijing was clearly behind leading Western navies. In just 6 years since then the situation has flipped, and the HSU001 now appears toy-like compared to what has followed. China’s development of extra-large uncrewed underwater vehicles (XLUUVs) is now unmatched globally, and accelerating rapidly. No other nation is pursuing undersea autonomy at comparable scale, scope, or speed. 

China Maritime Studies Institute – The removal of VADM Li Hanjun would suggest that Xi believes he can burn through a tremendous amount of talent to make the PLA into the force he envisions. If Xi continues to feel he can afford this price, then we must seriously consider the possibility that a degree of military leadership churn is “priced in” to his approach to building the world class forces he seeks.

Defense News – The PLA is building a self-healing “kill web” to surpass today’s brittle kill chains.

USNI News – Chinese forces deployed maritime security officers, fighter jets and new buoys to Scarborough Shoal on Friday following Philippine fishery support efforts at disputed maritime features across the South China Sea this week.

RUSI – In a submarine arms race between China and the US, the PLAN appears to be closing the gap.

CIMSEC – Ten years ago, the Chinese Communist Party, under the leadership of Xi Jinping, introduced two major policy initiatives: Made in China 2025 and military-civil fusion. Each represents an upgrade of existing policies aimed at boosting China’s economic and military strength, and now receives more attention and resources. Made in China 2025 aims to establish China as the world’s leading advanced manufacturer in ten key sectors by 2025, while military-civil fusion seeks to foster a closer, innovation-driven relationship between defense and civilian industries. Much was written about both, but there is little analysis of how these policies impacted Chinese shipbuilding.

RUSI – Russia has agreed to equip and train the PLA to air-drop armoured vehicles and special reconnaissance capabilities.

Naval News – The Chinese naval and air combat drills at Scarborough Shoal is the latest deployment of high-end military forces at the disputed feature to counter Philippine and American forces in the South China Sea.

Breaking Defense – Multiple officials, including the head of US Northern Command, told Breaking Defense China’s activities in and around American waters have increased this past year, the latest development in a broader pattern that started in 2021. But the subsequent public responses and objections by the Coast Guard is new, a trend that analysts said is designed to deter Chinese activity that close to the US.

China Maritime Studies Institute – In the vast expanse of the blue ocean, the U.S. Navy’s Virginia-class nuclear attack submarine, with its exceptional performance and advanced technology, has become the backbone of the U.S. Navy’s undersea force in the 21st century. As one of America’s most modern nuclear attack submarines, the Virginia-class leads the global development of nuclear submarine technology with its multifunctional and multi-purpose design, exceptional stealth, and powerful combat capabilities.

Naval News – New information reveals that the Chinese Navy (PLAN) is testing its uncrewed submarines on Hainan in the South China Sea. The two underwater drones, by far the world’s largest, have not been publicly revealed by Beijing.

China Maritime Studies Institute – The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) views deception as a force multiplier and war-winning weapon. The PLA leadership reserves a special place of veneration for wartime commanders who can employ deception to obtain surprise, something Xi Jinping refers to as “excelling at stratagem.”

USNI News – The People’s Liberation Army Navy’s newest and most capable aircraft carrier launched and recovered the next-generation of Chinese naval aircraft – including the J-35 fifth-generation stealth fighter, J-15 attack jet and KJ-600 airborne early warning and control aircraft, according to the PLAN.