Sino Talk (Joaquin Camarena)
@sinotalk.bsky.social
Former USMC intel analyst with operational experience in the Indo-Pacific region. Main focus is on PLA modernization, the CCP, and domestic Chinese politics.
Sino's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sino_talk
Sino's Linktree: https://linktr.ee/sino_talk
With these vehicles, the PLANMC can create modular units that adapt to the operational requirements of their missions.
January 29, 2026 at 12:18 AM
With these vehicles, the PLANMC can create modular units that adapt to the operational requirements of their missions.
For instance, the PLANMC is incorporating the PCL-181 155mm truck-mounted howitzer as well as the new Type-5 amphibious 120mm mortar howitzer and the Type-05 amphibious AFT-10 ATGM carrier into its units.
January 29, 2026 at 12:18 AM
For instance, the PLANMC is incorporating the PCL-181 155mm truck-mounted howitzer as well as the new Type-5 amphibious 120mm mortar howitzer and the Type-05 amphibious AFT-10 ATGM carrier into its units.
The PLANMC’s establishment of tank companies illustrates how the branch is developing the necessary capabilities to conduct self-sustained, expeditionary operations without support from other PLA branches.
January 29, 2026 at 12:18 AM
The PLANMC’s establishment of tank companies illustrates how the branch is developing the necessary capabilities to conduct self-sustained, expeditionary operations without support from other PLA branches.
My article about the PLANMC tank companies and how it enhances the branch’s expeditionary capabilities is out now with the China Landpower Studies Center’s Quick Takes.
ssi.armywarcollege.edu/SSI-Media/Re...
ssi.armywarcollege.edu/SSI-Media/Re...
January 29, 2026 at 12:18 AM
My article about the PLANMC tank companies and how it enhances the branch’s expeditionary capabilities is out now with the China Landpower Studies Center’s Quick Takes.
ssi.armywarcollege.edu/SSI-Media/Re...
ssi.armywarcollege.edu/SSI-Media/Re...
Xi decided to remove Zhang and Liu due to their failure to rapidly advance the PLA’s combat readiness and modernization efforts to meet his expectations. Xi viewed the slow progress as detrimental to achieving the goal of transforming the PLA into a world class military by 2049.
January 25, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Xi decided to remove Zhang and Liu due to their failure to rapidly advance the PLA’s combat readiness and modernization efforts to meet his expectations. Xi viewed the slow progress as detrimental to achieving the goal of transforming the PLA into a world class military by 2049.
Zhang was likely removed as Vice Chairman because his powerbase was viewed by Xi as an obstacle to his control over the PLA and more recently as a hindrance to its modernization.
January 25, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Zhang was likely removed as Vice Chairman because his powerbase was viewed by Xi as an obstacle to his control over the PLA and more recently as a hindrance to its modernization.
Zhang and Liu “severely trampled on and undermined” the CMC Chairman’s responsibility system, fostering corruption and political problems that weakened the CCP’s absolute leadership over the PLA.
January 25, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Zhang and Liu “severely trampled on and undermined” the CMC Chairman’s responsibility system, fostering corruption and political problems that weakened the CCP’s absolute leadership over the PLA.
The PLA Daily released an editorial that provided additional details on why the Central Committee decided to place Zhang and Liu under investigation.
January 25, 2026 at 7:19 PM
The PLA Daily released an editorial that provided additional details on why the Central Committee decided to place Zhang and Liu under investigation.
Both generals were also absent from the opening ceremony of the Study Session for the Provincial and Ministerial-Level Leading Cadres on Implementing the Spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CCP Central Committee on January 20th.
January 25, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Both generals were also absent from the opening ceremony of the Study Session for the Provincial and Ministerial-Level Leading Cadres on Implementing the Spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CCP Central Committee on January 20th.
On January 24th, China’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced that CMC Vice Chairman, General Zhang Youxia, and CMC Joint Staff Department (JSD) Chief of Staff, General Liu Zhenli, were placed under investigation by the CCP’s Central Committee for “serious violations of discipline and law.”
January 25, 2026 at 7:19 PM
On January 24th, China’s Ministry of National Defense (MND) announced that CMC Vice Chairman, General Zhang Youxia, and CMC Joint Staff Department (JSD) Chief of Staff, General Liu Zhenli, were placed under investigation by the CCP’s Central Committee for “serious violations of discipline and law.”
The Guilin would likely return to service after the ship completes its maintenance and sea trials to verify if it is still seaworthy. The Nanyu is likely still completing repairs to its bow and forecastle at Yulin Naval Base.
January 20, 2026 at 3:12 AM
The Guilin would likely return to service after the ship completes its maintenance and sea trials to verify if it is still seaworthy. The Nanyu is likely still completing repairs to its bow and forecastle at Yulin Naval Base.
The incident occurred when the Guilin collided with the China Coast Guard Jiangdao Mod class patrol cutter, the Nanyu, as the ships attempted to block the Parola class patrol vessel, the BRP Suluan.
January 20, 2026 at 3:12 AM
The incident occurred when the Guilin collided with the China Coast Guard Jiangdao Mod class patrol cutter, the Nanyu, as the ships attempted to block the Parola class patrol vessel, the BRP Suluan.
In mid-January, the Type 052DL/Luyang III class destroyer, the Guilin, is in the final stages of maintenance and repair after its hull received extensive damage from the August 2025 incident near Scarborough Shoal.
January 20, 2026 at 3:12 AM
In mid-January, the Type 052DL/Luyang III class destroyer, the Guilin, is in the final stages of maintenance and repair after its hull received extensive damage from the August 2025 incident near Scarborough Shoal.
On January 16th, the second set of Shuiqiao-class Landing Platform Utility (LPU) barges is still undergoing their first test on the beach at Nansan Island. The bridges of the first two barges are lowered, with the middle one connected to the other.
January 17, 2026 at 3:03 AM
On January 16th, the second set of Shuiqiao-class Landing Platform Utility (LPU) barges is still undergoing their first test on the beach at Nansan Island. The bridges of the first two barges are lowered, with the middle one connected to the other.
For instance, the PL-10 utilizes gas-jet thrust vectoring rudders and a datalink to receive information from the J-20’s EO sensors to give the missile its over-the-shoulder launch capability and its large off-boresight angle.
January 16, 2026 at 6:28 AM
For instance, the PL-10 utilizes gas-jet thrust vectoring rudders and a datalink to receive information from the J-20’s EO sensors to give the missile its over-the-shoulder launch capability and its large off-boresight angle.
The J-20’s ability to launch PL-10s at targets located at its side and rear allows it to shoot down enemy aircraft in these positions.
January 16, 2026 at 6:28 AM
The J-20’s ability to launch PL-10s at targets located at its side and rear allows it to shoot down enemy aircraft in these positions.
On January 3rd, the PLAAF 5th Air Brigade conducted training with its J-20A stealth air superiority fighters at Nanning Airbase, located at Guilin Airfield.
January 16, 2026 at 6:28 AM
On January 3rd, the PLAAF 5th Air Brigade conducted training with its J-20A stealth air superiority fighters at Nanning Airbase, located at Guilin Airfield.
On January 15th, the second set of Shuiqiao class Landing Platform Utility (LPU) barges appeared on a beach on Nansan Island, located approximately 16.43 miles (26.44 kilometers) southeast of Zhanjiang.
January 15, 2026 at 4:49 AM
On January 15th, the second set of Shuiqiao class Landing Platform Utility (LPU) barges appeared on a beach on Nansan Island, located approximately 16.43 miles (26.44 kilometers) southeast of Zhanjiang.
For instance, the H-6K has a limited capacity to operate in the Second Island Chain (SIC) because of its range and is vulnerable due to its large Radar Cross Section (RCS).
January 12, 2026 at 1:53 AM
For instance, the H-6K has a limited capacity to operate in the Second Island Chain (SIC) because of its range and is vulnerable due to its large Radar Cross Section (RCS).
The H-20 is one of the weapon systems on which Du provided guidance during his tenure at the Academy of Military Sciences and as a civilian analyst.
January 12, 2026 at 1:53 AM
The H-20 is one of the weapon systems on which Du provided guidance during his tenure at the Academy of Military Sciences and as a civilian analyst.
Du’s research focuses on combined arms tactics and weaponry. He also served as the AMSDMCR Combined Tactics Research Office's Deputy Director, Director of its Training Research Office, and Logistics and Equipment Research Office.
January 12, 2026 at 1:53 AM
Du’s research focuses on combined arms tactics and weaponry. He also served as the AMSDMCR Combined Tactics Research Office's Deputy Director, Director of its Training Research Office, and Logistics and Equipment Research Office.
Du is currently the Director for the Network Research Center of the China Military Culture Research Association and the chief expert for the Shanghai Military-Civilian Integration Development Research Association.
January 12, 2026 at 1:53 AM
Du is currently the Director for the Network Research Center of the China Military Culture Research Association and the chief expert for the Shanghai Military-Civilian Integration Development Research Association.
The H-20's payload is approximately 43 tons, with an internal weapons bay measuring at least 33 feet (10 meters) long. The weapon options include the KD-20 LACM, JL-1 ALBM, and YJ-21 hypersonic ASBM, as well as other types of munitions.
January 12, 2026 at 1:53 AM
The H-20's payload is approximately 43 tons, with an internal weapons bay measuring at least 33 feet (10 meters) long. The weapon options include the KD-20 LACM, JL-1 ALBM, and YJ-21 hypersonic ASBM, as well as other types of munitions.
On January 2nd, Xinhua News released a CCTV video segment titled “We look forward to the official unveiling of the H-20 and the J-36.” CCTV military commentator Du Wenlong stated that the H-20 stealth bomber is expected to be officially unveiled in 2026.
January 12, 2026 at 1:53 AM
On January 2nd, Xinhua News released a CCTV video segment titled “We look forward to the official unveiling of the H-20 and the J-36.” CCTV military commentator Du Wenlong stated that the H-20 stealth bomber is expected to be officially unveiled in 2026.
The Amphibious Task Force that consists of the Type 075/Yushen class LHD, the Hainan, and the Type 055/Renhai class cruiser Yan’an participated in the ongoing Justice Mission-2025 exercise in waters off of southeastern Taiwan.
December 29, 2025 at 11:35 PM
The Amphibious Task Force that consists of the Type 075/Yushen class LHD, the Hainan, and the Type 055/Renhai class cruiser Yan’an participated in the ongoing Justice Mission-2025 exercise in waters off of southeastern Taiwan.