Fueled by decades of rapid economic growth and a desire to further its security interests, China has embarked on a large-scale modernization of its military. President Xi Jinping has instituted extensive military reforms aimed at streamlining command structures and improving Chinese military strength. China now boasts a robust navy with a burgeoning aircraft carrier program and one of the largest air forces in the world. To learn more about China’s military power, explore our featured content below.
Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has raised concerns about the deep military ties shared between China and Russia. This ChinaPower feature analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of China-Russia military relations, focusing on arms sales and joint military exercises.
China launched its third aircraft carrier, the Fujian, on June 17, 2022, and work is underway to prepare the vessel for commissioning into the People’s Liberation Army Navy. This page provides key details about the carrier.
China’s military budget provides insight into its expanding military capabilities. In terms of gauging relative military strength, defense budgets can be compared between countries and over a set period of time to assess overall trends.
This three-part series examines Beijing’s options besides an invasion to coerce, punish, or annex Taiwan. The first two reports map out how China can quarantine and blockade the island. The third report provides groundbreaking data on the importance of the Taiwan Strait to global commerce.
This ChinaPower feature tracks and analyzes China’s large-scale Joint Sword-2024B military exercises and law enforcement activities following Taiwan President William Lai’s October 10 National Day speech.
China has options other than invasion to try to force Taiwan’s unification, one of which is a blockade. This report explores the potential motivations and strategic calculus for a blockade and maps out possible scenarios of how China could approach blockade operations.
As China ramps up pressure on Taiwan, one major step it could take is a law enforcement-led quarantine of the island. This report lays out China’s potential motivations for a quarantine and maps out two plausible scenarios of how it could conduct quarantine operations.
In response to Taiwan President William Lai’s inauguration speech, China commenced large-scale military exercises surrounding Taiwan, called “Joint Sword-2024A.” Explore ChinaPower analysis of China’s activities.
