# China military expansion and political developments > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/china-military-expansion-and-political-developments > Updated: 2026-09-25T16:30:10.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. China is pursuing a dual strategy of expanding its global military influence while enforcing strict domestic social control. At the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, Defense Minister Dong Jun accused unnamed foreign powers of promoting “hegemonism,” “militarism,” and “historical revisionism.” Analysts, including former Indian Foreign Secretary Vijay Gokhale, have characterized China’s approach as a “talk and fight” strategy, using military pressure and gray-zone tactics to create new facts on the ground while engaging in negotiations to solidify an altered status quo. Recent reports indicate potential shifts in the country’s political landscape, as state media coverage of the Army’s 72nd Group Army has reportedly omitted mentions of Xi Jinping in favor of emphasizing “the Party’s collective leadership.” Concurrently, the People’s Liberation Army Navy continues to undergo rapid expansion. Despite internal vulnerabilities such as anti-corruption purges and leadership turnover, the navy is leveraging significant industrial capacity and technological advancement to increase its operational tempo, specifically regarding complex exercises involving blockades and precision strikes near Taiwan. ## Timeline ### 2026-09-25: China faces potential political shifts and rapid naval expansion Analyses of Chinese state media and military trends suggest a potential shift toward collective leadership and continued rapid naval expansion despite internal political purges. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-faces-potential-political-shifts-and-rapid-naval-expansion ### 2026-09-19: China expands military coercion and domestic social control China is combining increased military coercion and maritime expansion with strict domestic social controls and censorship to reshape both its regional influence and internal social norms. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/china-expands-military-coercion-and-domestic-social-control --- Cite as: China military expansion and political developments. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/china-military-expansion-and-political-developments