The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Rocket Force launches an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) carrying a dummy warhead to the high seas in the Pacific Ocean at 08:44 am on September 25, 2024. Photo: Screenshot from the Weibo account of China Bugle, an official media account of the PLA's news media center

Ahead of the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) 98th founding anniversary on Friday, Chinese official media on Thursday intensively published a series of national defense achievements, including release of rare video footage of an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) launch of last year and, for the first time, footage of a far seas mission by a new type of submarine.

The video footage of the ICBM launch shows the missile ascending after being launched, according to a report by China Bugle, an official media account affiliated with the PLA News Media Center.

As part of a routine arrangement in China's annual training plan, the PLA Rocket Force launched an ICBM carrying a dummy warhead into the high seas in the Pacific Ocean at 8:44 am on September 25, 2024, and the missile fell into designated sea areas, the Chinese Defense Ministry announced in a press release at the time.

Another clip showed, for the first time, video footage of a far seas mission by a new type of submarine, according to a report by the military channel of China Central Television (CCTV). 

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Thursday that the video clips are not only meant for celebrating the PLA's founding anniversary, but also to showcase China's nuclear second-strike capabilities and its strong deterrence power.

China follows a policy of no first use of nuclear weapons, but it must have the capability to conduct counterattacks if attacked first. Displaying strategic missiles and nuclear submarines is a move to demonstrate that China possesses multiple reliable second-strike options, which is a key pillar for maintaining a peaceful environment for development, Song said.

The new releases are part of an official documentary scheduled to air in full on Friday. It is also expected to feature details of carrier-aircraft integration tests between China's electromagnetic catapult-equipped aircraft carrier Fujian and the J-15T shipborne fighter jet.

Tourists visit the site of the command headquarters of the Nanchang Uprising in Nanchang, East China's Jiangxi Province on July 31, 2025. The PLA started with 20,000 soldiers in Nanchang in an armed uprising on August 1, 1927, according to Xinhua. Photo: VCG

Tremendous achievements

With only two years remaining until its centenary, the PLA has made tremendous progress over the past year in terms of weapons and equipment development, combat readiness, and the capability to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, experts said.

Many of the new weapons and equipment were displayed for the first time at Airshow China 2024, where the PLA Air Force unveiled the J-35A stealth fighter jet, making China the second country in the world to operate two types of stealth fighter jets after the US. The PLA Navy, meanwhile, debuted the J-15T carrier-borne fighter jet and the J-15D carrier-borne electronic warfare aircraft.

Another notable event occurred in December 2024. At the time, videos and photos emerged on social media allegedly showing two newly designed aircraft conducting test flights in China. Despite no official announcements, many dubbed them China's "sixth-generation fighter jets." Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that the so-called sixth-generation fighter jet has become a key vantage point major powers have been contesting to reach. Three months later, the US announced the F-47, its own sixth-generation fighter jet in March, but only via artist renderings, with many technical details questioned by experts.

At sea, on December 27, 2024, China launched its first Type 076 amphibious assault ship, a type of large vessel equipped with electromagnetic catapult and arresting technology, allowing it to launch manned and unmanned combat aircraft in addition to helicopters, effectively making it a light aircraft carrier, experts told the Global Times.

Less than a month later, the PLA Navy commissioned its first Type 054B frigate on January 22. This 5,000-ton-class warship features advancements in stealth, combat command systems, and integrated firepower control. A second Type 054B was confirmed to be in service by official media in May.

The PLA has not only been developing advanced weapons and equipment but also putting them to good use, highlighted by several impressive and memorable moments in training and exercises.

In October 2024, the PLA Navy announced that the formations of Chinese aircraft carriers Liaoning and Shandong had carried out a dual aircraft carrier formation exercise for the first time in the South China Sea. In another deployment in June this year, the Liaoning and Shandong aircraft carrier formations completed far-seas combat training in the Western Pacific. Experts noted that a dual-carrier group's combat capability extends beyond the mere addition of two carriers, allowing for more diversified and more complex missions.

During the PLA Eastern Theater Command's joint exercise around the island of Taiwan on April 1, an H-6K bomber was seen in an official video footage carrying the YJ-21 air-launched ballistic missile. Military affairs expert Zhang Junshe told the Global Times that the YJ-21's appearance in the drills demonstrates a high degree of combat realism. The missile plays a crucial role in seizing comprehensive control, and the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces have no effective countermeasure against it, the expert said.

Top PLA weapons and equipment also travelled abroad, highlighted by the China-Egypt "Eagles of Civilization 2025" joint air force training in Egypt, in which the KJ-500 early warning aircraft, the J-10C fighter jet, the Z-20 helicopter and the YU-20 tanker aircraft took part.

New excitement

China will hold a military parade in Tiananmen Square, Beijing, on September 3 to mark the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, Xinhua News Agency reported on June 24. 

According to a press conference by China's State Council Information Office, the military parade will feature marching formations, armored columns, and aerial echelons. In addition to showcasing the new generation of traditional weapons and equipment, some new combat forces such as unmanned intelligence, underwater warfare, cyber and electronic attack and defense, and hypersonic warfare equipment will also be featured in the parade, reflecting the Chinese military's strong ability to evolve according to science and technology advancements and prepare for future warfare, Xinhua reported.

Regarding the upcoming military parade, Song said he hopes to see not only the already-debuted J-35A, but also new weapons such as hypersonic missiles and unmanned systems. They are expected to demonstrate China's national defense developments, deter hostile forces, and safeguard China's sovereignty, security, and development interests.