Defence

The strategic implications of the new China-Laos military facility

A new China-Laos military facility constitutes a significant gain for Beijing. But it will trigger concern among regional countries, in particular Vietnam, notes ISEAS academic Ian Storey.

Ian Storey

14 Oct 2026

Drones are cheap — China wants to make killing them cheaper

As cheap drones dominate modern battlefields, China is racing to reverse the cost curve. But unproven tech and mass saturation mean the swarm retains its edge, argues researcher Tahir Mahmood Azad.

Tahir Mahmood Azad

02 Oct 2026

What is the worst acceptable outcome for Trump and Xi?

Ahead of their high-stakes Washington summit, Donald Trump and Xi Jinping face a tenuous truce: while tactical deals on trade procurement and AI safety offer temporary fixes, core rifts over Taiwan, tech dominance and rare earths remain fundamentally unresolved. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei speaks to academics to find out.

Sim Tze Wei

23 Sep 2026

From DJI to drone killers: China’s cheap air defence revolution

Just as it found its niche in drones, China is leading the way in the global move towards developing cheaper air defences like 3D-printed interceptors. Indian researcher Adya Madhavan shares her observations.

Adya Madhavan

09 Sep 2026

Could the PLA’s robot soldiers be used against Taiwan?

China is developing humanoid robots that could enter the battlefield within a decade. While Taiwan is a potential scenario, experts say the PLA’s push reflects a broader drive to prepare for the warfare of the future. Lianhe Zaobao correspondent Edwin Ong finds out more.

Edwin Ong

09 Sep 2026

The Mecca agreement’s implications for China

​The Mecca pact among Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Turkey calls for NATO-like collective defence, but a more realistic outcome could be greater mediation roles for each of the parties and gains for China, a close partner of all three. Academic Alessandro Arduino explains.

Alessandro Arduino

21 Aug 2026

Fudan targeted as universities become casualties of the tech war

Fudan University and Shanghai Jiao Tong University have been placed on a US national security list, while China has targeted a European university. The moves signal a new era in which academic research is increasingly treated as a security risk. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei reports.

Sim Tze Wei

18 Aug 2026

Is Taiwan’s proposed AI-powered T-Dome shield combat-ready?

Taiwan is leveraging AI to boost its defence capabilities, but it will still face challenges such as China’s robust electronic warfare and cybersecurity capabilities in the event of a Taiwan emergency, says academic Ghulam Ali.

Ghulam Ali

05 Aug 2026

Quietly, not silently: How Vietnam deals with China on the South China Sea

Vietnam did not sign the joint statement on the Tribunal Award invalidating China’s claims on the South China Sea. Hanoi’s consistent “speak less, do more” approach combines public restraint with a range of quieter policy tools, observes ISEAS academic Huynh Trung Dung.

Huynh Trung Dung

04 Aug 2026

Behind Kim’s nuclear navy and AI lies Beijing

The US sees North Korea as an immediate threat. But behind Pyongyang’s nuclear navy, AI and missile programmes lies a deeper strategic challenge: Beijing’s enduring support, argues researcher Tahir Mahmood Azad.

Tahir Mahmood Azad

28 Jul 2026

[Big read] How China weaponised its rare earth monopoly

Rare earths are only part of the story. Over three decades, China has transformed export controls from a regulatory measure into a powerful geopolitical tool, reshaping global supply chains and strategic competition. Lianhe Zaobao associate China news editor Chen Jing explores how experts see Beijing’s strategy evolving.

Chen Jing

21 Jul 2026

What China’s submarine missile test reveals about its nuclear strategy

China’s submarine launch shows that Beijing intends to remove strategic vulnerability before accepting strategic constraint. But showing its ability for a second-strike capability does not guarantee stability in Asia, says academic Hao Nan.  

Hao Nan

09 Jul 2026