China is rapidly advancing its defense and strategic capabilities, edging closer to the United States in modern military and space technology.

This week saw the country carry out a successful submarine-launched ballistic missile test that underscores its evolving nuclear deterrent, and a reusable rocket landing that marks a major milestone in space launch technology. Together, the developments reflect Beijing’s continued investment in military modernization, space power, and the dual-use technologies shaping future strategic competition.

On Friday, China successfully recovered the first stage of a carrier rocket during an orbital launch test, which signals it is trying to reach similar reusable rocket technology to the one the U.S. has. The reusable rocket, known as the Long March 10B rocket, is key to building critical satellite infrastructure, but also to space exploration and travel. It may be a step ahead of Elon Musk’s SpaceX because it does not have a rigid tower. SpaceX rockets reenter and land on a fixed tower, while the new Chinese tech is not tied to a single launch site. Its floating platforms can be positioned in different locations, require less fuel and reduce vulnerability to damage or disruption.

China achieved its first-ever controlled recovery of a launch vehicle’s first stage, as the first stage of its Long March 10B carrier rocket launched on Friday was successfully captured on a seaborne platform via a net-capture system, which also marked the world’s first net-based… pic.twitter.com/o9x5w7fs33

— China Science (@ChinaScience) July 10, 2026

Developing reusable technology can significantly lower the cost and turn-around time of rocket launches. It can also provide nations a strategic advantage as space increasingly becomes a domain linked to military power and defense capabilities on Earth.

Meanwhile, China’s submarine-fired ballistic missile test into the southern Pacific on Monday highlighted one of the country’s most sophisticated nuclear assets. The reason lies in the fact that it aims to operate undetected. This means the country can hit back if its land-based military equipment is destroyed by enemy strikes. According to Reuters, the technology also indicates China is “getting close to an operational strike capability,” where submarines could target Guam and Hawaii. Despite that, Chinese state media and officials said it was only a “routine” military drill, part of efforts to improve national security and maintain global stability.

U.S. officials have said that China’s submarines—also known as SSBNs—are armed with nuclear weapons, according to research organization Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. The submarines are part of a “nuclear triad” of strategic forces able to fire nuclear weapons from sea, land, and air, according to Chinese media.