08 Oct Opinion: At the end of the day, it is all about the beans and the bullets… Here is some news from China
By,
Octavio Pérez, Co-Founder & Senior Fellow, MSI²
Roaming through popular headlines, you get a whiff of almost everything, but what always catches your attention boils down to Security and Economy—two fundamental pillars of the Republic that must be protected and preserved so that those living in it can progress, evolve, and live safely.
The September 3rd (80th Anniversary Parade) is still generating articles about the armament displayed. Three notable weapons systems caught my attention this last week of September:
- The Laser Weapon (LY-1)
- The DF-5C ICBM
- The J-35 Stealth Fighter
Additionally, they conducted an experimental test of warheads that can be programmed to strike the same spot multiple times.
All of this presents real challenges that need to be addressed, representing the security side of the story. On the economic side, it is concerning that China’s manufacturing output declined for the sixth consecutive month, yet they managed to increase soybean imports from Argentina. This is significant because global stability depends on food and resources, and alliances and the sustainment of economies affect the Republic’s economic health.
The Bullets
Starting with the weapons, analysts worldwide will spend months dissecting images, measurements, and technical details of each item paraded, producing extensive reports, analysis, and evaluations regarding the technological advancement of these platforms.
Stealing a formula and reverse-engineering a product allows countries to save millions in research and development (R&D) and invest in improving existing products. This is the case with China’s LY-1.
When compared to the U.S. Helios, the LY-1 exceeds its counterpart in output and range. Its lens aperture (diameter) is double that of Helios, and its power output slightly surpasses the current naval lasers being tested by the U.S. Navy.
In naval operations, it would be used similarly to the U.S. system for short-range, slower-moving targets as a ship’s final line of defense, while other intercept missiles address medium- to high-altitude threats. It is considered a complementary weapon system, not a replacement for naval Gatling guns or cannons.
The source of this information is the Chinese defense industry itself, which claims the LY-1 is already in service, though the specific vessels deploying it are not confirmed.
Next, the DF-5C ICBM was paraded on three different vehicles to highlight the MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Reentry Vehicle) and its dual rocket boosters.
The DF-5C is an evolutionary piece of equipment, presented as the replacement for the fielded DF-41. Alongside it, two other missiles (DF-61 and DF-31) were displayed, but the DF-5C remains the cornerstone of China’s ICBM fleet. Its enhanced range allows it to strike any part of the United States.
The DF-5C’s lineage traces back to testing between 1969 and 1971, with deployment in 1981. Subsequent variants include the DF-5A (1986) and DF-5B (2015). The DF-5C now carries a 12-MIRV warhead configuration, each with a 1-megaton yield, compared to the 4-megaton single-warhead yield of older models.
Comparing the DF-5C with the U.S. Minuteman III reveals differing R&D approaches, though both serve as silo-based land missile forces within their respective nuclear triads. Despite carrying modern warheads, the DF-5C’s two-phase liquid propellant requires over two hours to fuel. Land-based ICBMs remain integral to China’s nuclear deterrence strategy alongside aerial and submarine-based forces.
The third weapon, the J-35 fighter, was promoted by Chinese state media for its stealth capability, claiming a radar cross-section roughly the size of a human hand. Unclassified intelligence indicates the J-35 is similar to the U.S. F-35, making its radar signature comparable to a golf ball—progressive, but not revolutionary.
The J-20, another Chinese carrier-based stealth fighter, reportedly has a larger radar cross-section (100–1,000 cm²) compared to the F-22’s 1 cm². Nevertheless, the J-35’s successful catapult launches from the Fujian carrier, along with the J-15T and KJ-600, indicate the viability of these aircraft in carrier operations. Notably, the Fujian navigated the Taiwan Strait a week earlier.
Laboratory Advancements
China has reportedly simulated multiple nuclear warheads detonating at the same site in a laboratory. This experiment, conducted under Dr. Xu Xiaohui at the Army Engineering University (PLA), creates a destructive synergetic effect exceeding the sum of individual blasts. Such testing allows replication of high-yield effects, saving time, money, and test range resources.
The Beans
Two key economic points deserve attention:
- Factory activity in China contracted for the sixth consecutive month, marking the worst slump since 2019 (AP News, 2024). The PMI (Purchasing Managers Index) rose slightly from 49.4 to 49.8 but remained below the 50-point expansion threshold.
- Soybean imports from Argentina surged, exceeding 50% of China’s near-term needs, disrupting U.S. exports and affecting American farmers. This reflects the ongoing trade tensions and tariff uncertainties between the U.S. and China (China Diplomacy, 2024).
Other economic challenges persist: prolonged property sector downturns, high youth unemployment (especially among graduates), and low household spending. Optimism exists that the People’s Bank of China may reduce lending rates, potentially stimulating spending and investment.
Conclusion
Ultimately, it is all about showing off military capability while ensuring economic resilience through strategic resource acquisition. Bullets and beans—security and economy—remain the twin pillars shaping China’s strategic trajectory.
References
AP News. (2025, September 29). China’s factory activity contracts for a 6th straight month as trade tensions weigh on the economy. https://apnews.com/article/china-manufacturing-economy-pmi-tariffs-ff446efcd48e45125c854185aae0212a
South China Morning Post. (2025, September 30). Argentina’s soy exports to China soar amid US bailout, fueling tensions in Trump camp. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3327291/argentinas-soy-exports-china-soar-amid-us-bailout-fuelling-tensions-trump-camp
South China Morning Post. (2025, September 29). ‘Last line of defence’: military journal sheds light on China’s new LY-1 shipborne laser weapon. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3327271/last-line-defence-military-journal-sheds-light-chinas-new-ly-1-shipborne-laser-weapon
South China Morning Post. (2025, September 28). Is China’s J-35 fighter jet stealthier than the US’ F-35? https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3327146/chinas-j-35-fighter-jet-stealthier-us-f-35
South China Morning Post. (2025, September 28). Chinese army engineers run first triple-nuke-strike experiment in lab. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3326757/chinese-army-engineers-run-first-triple-nuke-strike-experiment-labSouth China Morning Post. (2025, September 27). China’s DF-5C nuclear ICBM: from ‘east wind’ to counterforce weapon for global strike. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/military/article/3327013/chinas-df-5c-nuclear-icbm-east-wind-counterforce-weapon-global-strike
The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Miami Strategic Intelligence Institute (MSI²).