China
165articles
Arizona Opens Taiwan Office, Rejects Beijing's Warning
Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs joined Taiwan's foreign minister to open a Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Phoenix, defying repeated Chinese objections tied to TSMC's $165 billion expansion.
First New F-16V Fighters Arrive in Taiwan Amid China Pressure
Taiwan is set to receive its first new-build F-16V fighter jets, part of a long-running acquisition meant to bolster the island's defenses as Beijing keeps up military pressure.
Trump Says Xi Won't Invade Taiwan as US Sees Delayed Timeline
President Trump said he does not believe Xi Jinping will invade Taiwan, as US assessments reportedly put a Chinese invasion timeline later than Beijing's own 2027 benchmark.
China Tightens Defense Mobilization Law, Taiwan Watchers Take Note
China has moved to strengthen its national defense mobilization law, a step regional analysts and multiple outlets link to Beijing's posture toward Taiwan amid rising cross-strait friction.
Xi Marks National Day With Taiwan Remarks as Beijing Faults Defense Budget
Xi Jinping addressed Taiwan and the economy at a National Day reception as Beijing's state press criticized Taipei's increased defense spending, sharpening cross-strait rhetoric.
Cotton Presses Pentagon to Probe Missing F-35 Parts Found in China
Sen. Tom Cotton is pushing the Pentagon to investigate how F-35 components went missing and turned up in China, reviving scrutiny of the fighter jet's global supply chain.
Taiwan Deepens Drone Push as China Pressure Drives Defense Overhaul
Taiwan is expanding its drone programs as pressure from China drives a broader defense overhaul, Modern Diplomacy reports, as Beijing courts Trump.
China Weighs Letting ByteDance, Alibaba Buy New Nvidia Chips
China's tech ministry has asked ByteDance and Alibaba to report planned purchases of a new Nvidia workstation chip, signaling looser limits on US AI hardware.
Taiwan Says US 'Very Much' Understands Its Defense Needs
A senior Taipei official said Washington 'very much' understands Taiwan's defense requirements, days after the Xi-Trump summit, per Reuters and Modern Diplomacy.
Trump Rejects Combining US-China AI Efforts, Calls Fears Hoaxes
Departing the White House after his summit with Xi Jinping, Trump said the US would not integrate AI development with China and dismissed warnings about AI risk as comparable to past hoaxes.
US, China Agree to $30B Tariff Cut, New AI Safety Channel
Xi Jinping and Donald Trump agreed to cut tariffs by $30 billion and open a new AI safety dialogue after their New York summit, with trade and military talks set to continue.
F-35 Parts Diverted to Hong Kong Reached China, US Lawmakers Investigate
Sensitive components from the F-35 stealth fighter were diverted through Hong Kong and ended up in Chinese hands, triggering a congressional investigation into how the breach occurred.
GOP Senators Rebuke Trump Over Xi Welcome After China-Iran Allegations
Republican senators voiced dismay at Trump's warm reception of Xi Jinping, citing allegations Beijing aided Iran during the ongoing conflict with the United States.
Zelenskyy Asks Trump to Enlist China in Ending Russia's War
Ukraine's president pressed Trump to bring Beijing into peace negotiations with Moscow, a significant ask timed to the conclusion of a Trump-Xi summit.
Zelenskyy Says He Urged Trump to Enlist China in Ukraine Peace Push
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed he pressed Donald Trump to bring Beijing's influence to bear on Moscow as diplomatic activity around the war intensifies.
Taiwan Upgrades Maritime Patrol at Vulnerable South China Sea Outpost
Taiwan is bolstering maritime patrol capabilities at a vulnerable South China Sea outpost, Reuters reports, as Beijing expands its regional maritime presence.
Pentagon Investigates After China Obtains F-35 Stealth Fighter Parts
The Pentagon has opened a formal investigation after China obtained components from the F-35 stealth fighter jet, raising urgent questions about U.S. defense supply chain security.
US Open to China Trade Truce Extension or Bigger Deal, Bessent Says
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent signaled US flexibility after meeting China's He Lifeng, leaving open an extension of the current trade truce or a broader comprehensive deal.
China's 80% Grip on Iranian Oil Looms Over Trump-Xi White House Summit
Beijing controls roughly 80 percent of Iran's crude exports and appears to be signaling that leverage ahead of a high-stakes White House summit with President Trump on September 24.
Goldman Sachs: $100 Brent Is Curbing China's Crude Demand
Goldman Sachs forecasts China's crude imports will rise only slightly in Q4 as $100 Brent suppresses buying, potentially capping further upward pressure on global oil prices.
Taiwan Coastguard's Rare Missile Firing Reveals Deepening Navy Ties
Taiwan's coastguard carried out a rare live missile exercise, the South China Morning Post reports, signaling growing operational integration with the island's navy.
Trump's Taiwan Retreat Tests His Chief China Hawk
A reported shift in Trump's Taiwan stance tests his administration's top China hawk as a new poll finds nearly half of Taiwanese doubt U.S. military backing.
China Slams US Sanctions Law on Russia and Iran as 'Unilateral'
Beijing's Ministry of Commerce condemns Trump-signed legislation imposing tariffs on nations buying Russian oil, warning it reserves the right to take 'all necessary measures.'
Taiwan Minister Makes Rare Trip to China for APEC Amid Beijing Tensions
A Taiwan minister has traveled to mainland China for an APEC event, marking one of the rare cross-strait ministerial contacts amid sustained military and diplomatic tensions with Beijing.
Union Chairman Jailed in China Returns to Taiwan
A Taiwanese union official held in Chinese detention has returned home as Taipei conducts missile drills and Trump prepares to host a summit with Xi Jinping.
Oil High but Contained as Trump Credits Xi Ahead of Washington Summit
AP reports oil prices are elevated but not surging despite Gulf tensions, with Trump crediting Xi Jinping as China's leader arrives for a high-stakes U.S. state visit.
Trump Courts Kim Jong Un, but May Need China to Restart Talks
The White House is renewing outreach to North Korea's Kim Jong Un, but analysts say Beijing's cooperation may be essential to any breakthrough, the New York Times reports.
Taiwan Stages Missile and Drone Drills Ahead of Trump-Xi Summit
Taiwan conducts live-fire missile and drone exercises as China tensions rise before a scheduled summit between President Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping.
Pentagon Signs AIM-260 Production Framework as Testing Accelerates
The Pentagon and Lockheed Martin signed a framework agreement to expand AIM-260 JATM production, laying groundwork for a multiyear buy of the long-range missile designed to counter China's PL-15.
The September 24 Test: What China Can Deliver on Hormuz
Araghchi's Beijing trip and Wang Yi's Hormuz plea set up the central question of the Xi-Trump summit: whether China can convert its economic interest into real pressure on Tehran.
Iran Not Interested in Continuing Conflict, Araghchi Tells Beijing
Foreign Minister Araghchi told Wang Yi that Tehran seeks a diplomatic solution, while China urged both sides to return to the Islamabad ceasefire framework.
Araghchi Heads to Beijing to Shore Up Chinese Support Before Xi-Trump Summit
Iran's foreign minister meets Wang Yi in Beijing as China and the U.S. prepare for a Sept. 24 summit where secondary sanctions and an Iran ceasefire framework are expected to dominate.
IAEA Cannot Verify Iran's Uranium; Russia and China Block Oversight
The IAEA says it cannot verify the size or location of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile. Russia, China, and Iran jointly rejected the agency's September 9 oversight resolution.
Trump Has Killed 'Strategic Ambiguity' Over Taiwan
President Trump's summit with Xi Jinping has effectively ended fifty years of deliberate U.S. policy ambiguity on Taiwan, leaving Taipei's defense future in serious doubt.
Beijing Rejects Anthropic CEO's Push to Curb China's AI Development
China pushes back against Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei's call to curb its AI capabilities, as Germany warns that halting development is unworkable and urges US-China involvement.
China Grows Wary as Putin-Kim Alliance Deepens
Beijing is signaling discomfort with the Russia-North Korea military axis as Pyongyang conducts live-fire drills and fresh troop deployments to Ukraine loom.
Trump Downplays AI Oversight, Warns Against Ceding Edge to China
President Trump dismissed calls for stricter AI development checks, saying regulatory constraints would allow China to surpass the United States in a defining technology race.
China Expands Influence in Central Asia as Russia's Ukraine War Grinds On
Beijing is deepening economic and political ties across Central Asia as Moscow's military remains consumed by Ukraine, quietly reshaping Eurasia's strategic balance.
US Officials Link China Satellite Data to Iranian Strike on US Troops
U.S. officials tied Chinese-supplied satellite imagery to an Iranian missile strike that killed three American soldiers in Jordan in July 2026, the Wall Street Journal reported Friday.
China's State Oil Majors Spent $343 Billion Preparing for This Moment
Sinopec, PetroChina, and CNOOC spent $343 billion building domestic output and strategic reserves since 2018 — a bet that is now softening the global impact of the Hormuz closure.
China's 70% EV Target Deals Another Blow to Oil Demand
China targets 70 percent of passenger car sales to be electric or hybrid by 2030, with NEV penetration already at 65 percent in August and analysts forecasting an 8.9 percent drop in Chinese oil demand in 2026.
Kim Praises North Korean Troops in Ukraine; Russia-China Pact Deepens
North Korea's Kim Jong Un publicly praised soldiers deployed in Ukraine alongside Russian forces as China and Russia reinforced their strategic partnership.
China, Philippines Trade Accusations Over South China Sea Territorial Claims
Beijing and Manila exchanged sharp diplomatic rebukes Wednesday over contested waters, the latest confrontation in a dispute that has repeatedly brought the two governments to the edge of direct conflict.
Beijing Boosts Taiwan-Facing Firepower With Brigade-Level 155mm Howitzers
China has deployed brigade-level 155mm howitzers aimed at Taiwan, the South China Morning Post reports, as Beijing simultaneously deepens ties with Russia and North Korea.
China Oil Demand to Fall 8.9% in 2026, Sinopec Research Finds
Sinopec's research arm projects China's oil demand will fall 8.9% in 2026, a contraction that would reshape global energy markets as geopolitical tensions keep supply uncertain.
China's North Korea Card: Issue Linkage, Taiwan, and the Bargain Beijing Won't Name
A new policy analysis argues Beijing could trade concessions on North Korea's nuclear program to extract U.S. restraint on Taiwan — a linkage Washington has yet to price into its strategy.
China Deploys Warrior Scientists to Gather Military Data Around Taiwan
War on the Rocks analysis finds China's marine scientific research ships are expanding operations around Taiwan in service of military objectives beyond oceanography.
Tokyo Widens Regional Defence Ties to Complicate Beijing's Taiwan Calculus
Japan is expanding bilateral and multilateral defence agreements across the Indo-Pacific, raising the cost and complexity of any Chinese move on Taiwan.
China Injects $54 Billion Into State Banks and Insurers
Beijing is pumping approximately $54 billion into state-owned lenders and insurers, one of the largest capital-boosting measures the sector has seen in years.
Taiwan Experts Call for Shift to Smaller Naval Vessels to Counter China
Defense analysts urge Taiwan to restructure its navy around smaller, more survivable ships as PLA Navy expansion raises the cost of a conventional fleet strategy.
China, Not OPEC, Controls Global Oil Markets, Rosneft CEO Says
Igor Sechin argues Beijing's crude buying behavior this spring and summer has stabilized oil prices, effectively supplanting OPEC's traditional role as price setter.
Iran Turns BRICS Judicial Framework Into Strategic Diplomacy Tool
Iran's judiciary chief held talks with China, Russia, and Belarus counterparts to convert legal cooperation into a pillar of strategic alliance-building outside Western institutions.
Sechin: China, Not OPEC, Controls Global Energy Markets
Rosneft's CEO Igor Sechin tells Reuters that Beijing's demand has eclipsed OPEC's pricing power — a claim landing as Brent crude pushes toward $96 on Middle East war fears.
Pacific Summit Ends Without Unanimous Condemnation of China's Missile Launch
Pacific Island leaders failed to reach consensus on a joint censure of China's ballistic missile test, exposing Beijing's deepening diplomatic leverage across the region.
China's Zion Church Lawyer Seeks Resettlement Aid Through Taiwan
A lawyer for Beijing's shuttered Zion Church is seeking resettlement assistance while transiting Taiwan, AP reports, highlighting China's crackdown on unofficial religious groups.
China's Shrinking Oil Appetite Drives Emissions Cut for First Time
China's oil demand is falling fast enough to cut national emissions for the first time ever, Reuters reports, reshaping energy markets as Hormuz tensions keep crude prices high.
China Surveyed Waters East of Taiwan Last Month, Beijing Confirms
Beijing disclosed a hydrographic survey of Taiwan's eastern approaches and a coast guard patrol in the same zone, operations Pacific defense planners say align with blockade contingency planning.
Pacific Leaders Call United Front as Taiwan Warns of Chinese Blockade Preparations
The chair of a Pacific regional forum demanded solidarity against a Chinese missile test as Taiwan warned Beijing is now fully preparing for a naval blockade of the island.
China Warns Taiwan as Taipei Plans Record Defense Budget
Beijing renewed warnings against Taiwanese independence as Taiwan unveiled a record defense budget, raising questions about the island's societal readiness for conflict.
Xi Jinping Visits Egypt for First Time in a Decade as Middle East Tensions Mount
China's president arrived in Cairo to deepen economic ties and shore up Arab partnerships ahead of a Trump meeting, as U.S. strikes on Iran and expanded sanctions complicate Beijing's regional position.
U.S. Oil Deal Displaces China and Russia From Venezuelan Fields
A U.S. oil company tied to a Venezuelan tycoon will replace Chinese and Russian operators at several Venezuelan oil fields, reshaping South American energy politics.
On Taiwan's Outer Islands, Troops Brace for a Chinese First Strike
Military preparations intensify on the small island chains that form Taiwan's first line of defense, as troops drill against scenarios of a Chinese preemptive strike.
U.S. Tests $2.3B Harpoon Coastal Defense System Built for Taiwan
The Pentagon has successfully tested the $2.3 billion Harpoon Coastal Defense System for Taiwan — 100 mobile launchers and 400 anti-ship missiles to deny Chinese warships access.
PLA Shift to Systems Warfare Forces Taiwan to Rethink Its Defenses
Experts warn the PLA has completed a shift to systems warfare — attacking networks, not platforms — and Taiwan's current defense posture was built for the wrong fight.
Taiwan Prosecutors Search Unimicron in Suspected China Fraud Case
Taiwanese authorities searched the offices of Unimicron Technology, one of Asia's largest printed circuit board makers, amid a probe into suspected China-linked fraud.
China Automakers Eye South Africa's EV and Pickup Markets
Chinese vehicle manufacturers are pushing into South Africa's fast-growing EV segment and dominant pickup market, Reuters reports from this week's auto show.
Taiwan Fortifies Penghu Archipelago as the Strait's Most Critical Defense Line
Taipei is pouring resources into the Penghu Islands, the chain analysts say China would need to neutralize first in any cross-strait assault — and the one most exposed to a rapid PLA move.
Taiwan's Frontline Islands Brace for a Chinese First Strike
Troops on Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu are drilling for a PLA opening blow as Beijing maintains coast-guard pressure and China's amphibious fleet grows.
Indonesia-China Drills May Normalize Beijing's Presence East of Taiwan
A Eurasia Review analysis warns that joint naval exercises between Indonesia and China could gradually normalize Chinese military activity in waters critical to Taiwan's defense.
OPEC+ Loses Oil Market Grip as China Gains Leverage in Iran War
The Iran war is fracturing OPEC+'s decades-long grip on oil pricing, with China emerging as the new power broker over crude supply, Reuters reports.
Zelensky Calls on China to Use Its Diplomatic Weight to End Russia's War
Ukraine's president is pressing Beijing to leverage its ties with Moscow and push for a negotiated end to a conflict now in its fifth year, the South China Morning Post reports.
Huawei and HP Sign Multi-Year Wi-Fi Patent Agreement
China's Huawei and US PC maker HP have agreed to a multi-year Wi-Fi patent deal, a commercial link forged across the widening US-China technology divide.
India and China Resume High-Level Border Talks in Beijing
Indian and Chinese officials met in Beijing Tuesday to review bilateral ties and discuss the disputed Himalayan border, the Indian Embassy in China confirmed to Reuters.
China Expands South China Sea Presence With New Military Installations
Reuters reports fresh construction on a disputed South China Sea islet as Beijing presses its build-up, while Taiwan asks whether upgraded F-16s can counter the PLA's J-20 stealth jets.
China Buys Most of Iran's Oil. Can US Sanctions Change That?
The US expanded its Iran sanctions this week, putting global buyers on notice. Experts say Washington is wary of pushing China too hard—leaving the biggest loophole open.
Indonesia-China Drill May Normalize Beijing's Presence East of Taiwan
Joint naval exercises between Indonesia and China in waters east of Taiwan could help legitimize Beijing's routine military access to a strategically vital corridor, analysts say.
China's Iran Oil Purchases Face Scrutiny as US Readies Sanctions
Looming US sanctions on Iran have placed China's sustained crude oil purchases under international scrutiny, with Beijing vowing to protect its economic interests.
Taiwan's $35 Billion Bet: Building Deterrence Without Washington's Guarantee
Taiwan's record defense budget and biggest-ever war games signal a strategic pivot: the island is preparing to defend itself in an era of uncertain American commitments.
Taiwan Vows 'Peace Through Strength' as China Tensions Persist
Taiwan's president marked a battle anniversary Sunday vowing never to yield an inch to Beijing, invoking a deterrence-first defense doctrine amid rising cross-strait tensions.
China Has Little to Lose as a Weakened Trump Courts North Korea
Beijing stands to gain strategically whether Trump's revived North Korea diplomacy succeeds or collapses, leaving China in a structurally comfortable position.
China Won't Help Washington Squeeze Iran's Oil Revenues
Trump's maximum-pressure campaign against Iran depends on Beijing cutting off Tehran's primary crude market—but China, the top buyer, appears unwilling to cooperate.
China Offers No Criticism After North Korea's Latest Missile Launch
Beijing's silence on North Korea's latest missile test highlights the limits of international pressure on Pyongyang as China expands its military footprint across the Indo-Pacific.
Is China's Research Ship Near Taiwan Probing Its Defenses?
A Chinese research vessel operating near Taiwan's waters is prompting questions about whether Beijing is systematically testing Taipei's maritime surveillance and response capabilities.
US Sanctions Hezbollah, Pressures China to Back Iran Economic Squeeze
Treasury redesignated Hezbollah as serving the Iranian regime under IRGC-Quds Force command as Secretary Bessent urged Beijing to support measures he says could collapse Iran's government.
Taiwan Proposes Record $35B Defense Budget as China Pressure Mounts
Taiwan proposes a record $35 billion defense budget for 2027 as Beijing's military pressure grows, highlighting the stakes in one of the world's most contested waterways.
China's Wang Yi in Seoul as Trump Presses for New North Korea Talks
China's top diplomat met South Korean officials Wednesday as the Trump administration signals a renewed push to restart stalled engagement with Kim Jong Un.
China Robot Makers Flock to Beijing, Seeking Mass-Market Breakthrough
Chinese robotics firms crowded the Beijing World Robot Conference seeking supply-chain partnerships and investment as the sector bids to cut costs and reach mass production.
China Completes First Stage of Work at Disputed South China Sea Reef
Satellite imagery reviewed by Reuters shows Beijing has finished an initial construction phase at a contested reef, advancing its campaign to reshape the South China Sea.
Pentagon Audits 30 U.S. Universities for Russia, China, and Iran Research Ties
The Defense Department is investigating suspected links between 30 unnamed U.S. universities and 130 research institutes based in Russia, China, and Iran.
China State Shippers Reroute Oil Tankers to Avoid Gulf Chokepoints
Chinese state-owned shippers are repositioning oil tankers outside the Persian Gulf as Iran's Hormuz closure forces the world's largest oil importer to adapt its supply chain.
Taiwan Raises Defence Spending Above $31 Billion as Beijing Pressure Builds
Taiwan has approved a defence budget exceeding $31 billion, one of its largest military commitments, as Chinese military pressure on the island shows no sign of easing.
Taiwan Strait Deterrence: The Case for Statecraft Alongside Force
As military postures harden across the Taiwan Strait, an emerging analysis argues that deterrence geometry alone cannot prevent miscalculation — diplomacy must carry its share.
China Studies Iran's Hormuz Playbook for a Taiwan Contingency
As Iran attacks shipping in the Strait of Hormuz for the third time this week, analysts ask whether China is drawing strategic lessons for Taiwan.
Taiwan Presses Jakarta on Chinese Naval Exercise East of Island
Taipei is seeking an explanation after Indonesia joined China in a naval exercise east of Taiwan, a rare ASEAN alignment that sharpens pressure on the island during Han Kuang drills.
China Criticizes Taiwan War Games as Military Tensions Rise
Beijing condemns Taiwan's military exercises as cross-strait tensions escalate, with the PLA maintaining heightened readiness across the Western Pacific.
China Cyberattack on Taiwan and Military Buildup Raise War Fears
A Chinese cyberattack on Taiwan, paired with accelerating PLA military buildup, has sparked fresh warnings of rising conflict risk in the Taiwan Strait.
Taiwan Weaponizes Coast Guard, Tests Internet Blackouts
Taiwan is arming its coast guard for combat with China and practicing island-wide internet restrictions as Beijing's military buildup and cyberattack threats intensify.
Russia Is Helping China Close the Military Gap With the United States
A Foundation for Defense of Democracies analysis finds Russia is accelerating China's military modernization as Beijing increases maritime pressure on Taiwan with live naval war games.
Taiwan Runs Drills Simulating Chinese Missile Strike and Drone Defense
Taiwan's military conducted exercises simulating a Chinese assault — missile strikes, special forces ambushes, and drone defense — as cross-strait tensions remain elevated across the region.
Taiwan Slams China-Indonesia Naval Exercise as Dangerous
Taiwan reacted furiously to China's planned naval exercise with Indonesia as Taipei ran its own drills simulating missile strikes, drone attacks, and a communications blackout.
Taiwan Conducts Major Military Drills as China Invasion Threat Looms
Taiwan ran annual war games simulating a Chinese assault, extended exercises to the Penghu islands, and throttled mobile internet for the first time during the drills.
Taiwan Plans Record Defense Budget Amid Sharpening China Invasion Risk
Taiwan's government is set to submit its largest-ever defense appropriation, citing an accelerating Chinese military buildup and concerns about US weapons stockpile depth.
Taiwan's 'Hellscape' Drone Strategy: How the Island Plans to Blunt a Chinese Invasion
Taiwan is investing heavily in drone swarms and sea mines to turn any Chinese amphibious assault into a costly, contested nightmare in the Taiwan Strait.
Germany's China Trade Deficit Grows as Beijing Cuts European Imports
Germany's trade gap with China widened as Beijing's push for domestic manufacturing reduces demand for German industrial exports, Reuters reported Sunday.
China's Carrier Killers: What They Mean for a Taiwan Conflict
A new analysis warns China's expanding anti-ship missile arsenal could severely constrain U.S. naval operations in any Taiwan conflict scenario.
China Conducts Military Drills Near Disputed Shoal in South China Sea
China's military conducted exercises near a contested South China Sea shoal, the latest assertion of Beijing's expansive maritime claims in the region.
China Patrols Disputed South China Sea Shoal on PLA Anniversary
China deployed warships and aircraft near a disputed South China Sea shoal as Beijing marked the PLA's 99th anniversary with warnings against Taiwan independence.
China Coast Guard Patrols Waters East of Taiwan, Angering Taipei
China's coast guard extended patrols to waters east of Taiwan, drawing sharp condemnation from Taipei and raising new concerns about Beijing's expanding maritime reach.
US Treasury Sanctions Iran Mahan Air Networks in India, China, Russia
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced sanctions against financial networks in India, China, and Russia supporting Mahan Air and the IRGC, which he called a terrorist enterprise.
North Korea's Economy Grows on Russia Arms Revenue and China Trade
Bloomberg reports North Korea posted economic gains in 2025 as weapons exports to Russia and expanded China commerce offset years of international sanctions pressure.
Pentagon Official Honors Chinese Military Personnel in Beijing Visit
A senior Pentagon official traveled to Beijing and participated in a ceremony honoring Chinese military personnel, the Washington Times reported, a notable diplomatic gesture amid elevated US-China tensions.
China Fires YJ-20 Hypersonic Missile From Type 052D Destroyer
China fires the YJ-20 hypersonic anti-ship missile from a Type 052D destroyer, spreading a once-exclusive capability across a far larger share of the PLAN surface fleet.
Axis of Aggressors: New Book Warns China, Russia, Iran and North Korea Could Overwhelm US
A new book argues that China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea have formed a coordinated axis capable of stretching US military and diplomatic resources beyond their limits.
China's Expanding Nuclear Arsenal: A Guide to Beijing's Missile Forces
The PLARF now fields 600-plus warheads across mobile ICBMs, hardened silos, and submarines—on course to exceed 1,000 operationally deployed warheads by 2030.
Behind Kim's Nuclear Navy and AI: Beijing's Hidden Hand
ThinkChina analysis identifies Beijing as the enabling power behind North Korea's nuclear navy and AI programs, reframing Kim's military modernization.
Earthquakes Strike Qinghai as China's AI Video Crisis Deepens
Twin earthquakes hit China's Qinghai province Monday as Beijing battles a surge of AI-generated fake videos spreading disaster misinformation across social media platforms.
US, Japan Join Philippines in South China Sea Military Drills
Washington and Tokyo join Manila for joint naval exercises in the South China Sea, deepening trilateral security cooperation as tensions with China persist in disputed waters.
Chinese and Philippine Coast Guard Vessels Clash in South China Sea
Chinese and Philippine coast guard ships clashed in the South China Sea on Thursday, Al Jazeera reported, the latest in a pattern of maritime confrontations over disputed features.
China Adds 14 EU Entities to Export Control List Over Russia Sanctions
China's Commerce Ministry blacklisted 14 European defense and technology firms Friday, hours after the EU added 14 Chinese companies to its twenty-first Russia sanctions package.
Russia May Be Helping China Prepare for War Over Taiwan, Report Says
The Economist reports Russia may be sharing Ukraine battlefield lessons with China, potentially accelerating Beijing's military preparations for a conflict over Taiwan.
China Launches Taiwan Strait Drills as PLA Sorties Hit Three-Year Low
Beijing ordered fresh military exercises in the Taiwan Strait days after high-level U.S.-China talks, even as PLA air sorties near Taiwan fell to a three-year low in early 2026.
Australia's Wong Calls on Region to Respond to South China Sea Aggression
Foreign Minister Penny Wong urged Indo-Pacific partners to define their collective response to China's South China Sea conduct, framing silence as a strategic choice with consequences.
Canada, Australia Confront China Over South China Sea Aggression
Australia and Canada issued sharp warnings over China's South China Sea behavior Wednesday, with Canberra vowing it will not be intimidated as it expands its defense and nuclear capabilities.
China's Oil Output Hits Record High at 216 Million Tons
China's National Energy Administration reports crude oil production reached 216 million tons last year, a national record, as natural gas output also climbed substantially.
Chinese Coast Guard Strikes Philippine Sailor in South China Sea Clash
Video footage shows a Chinese coast guard officer striking a Philippine sailor during a South China Sea confrontation, escalating one of Asia's most volatile territorial disputes.
Beijing Eyes Tumen River Access as China-North Korea Alliance Shifts
A ThinkChina analysis examines why Beijing is pressing for Tumen River access through North Korea, as a separate report argues the China-DPRK alliance is entering a new phase.
China's Fuel Oil Exports Hit 2026 High as Shipping Demand Rebounds
China shipped 577,000 barrels per day of fuel oil in June, an 18% year-on-year jump, with bunker exports up 55% from May — the country's highest monthly total this year.
CIA Operative Helped UAE Win U.S. AI Access After China-Link Probe
A former CIA officer who probed G42's links to Chinese technology firms later helped Abu Dhabi meet Washington's security demands to unlock advanced U.S. AI technology, the WSJ reports.
Taiwan's President: Democratic Island Must Not Become 'China's Taiwan'
Taiwan's president drew a sharp line between democratic self-rule and Beijing's reunification claims, declaring the island must not become 'China's Taiwan' in a statement reported by Reuters.
Pentagon Signs $439M ATACMS Deal With Taiwan, Fujian Carrier in Range
A $439 million ATACMS contract gives Taiwan long-range strike capability to target China's Fujian carrier, marking a significant escalation in U.S. arms transfers to Taipei.
Taiwan Accelerates Drone Production, Eyes Ukraine's Playbook
Taiwan is building a domestically produced drone fleet modeled on Ukraine's battlefield experience as the island prepares for a potential conflict with China.
Kim Jong-un, Wang Huning Stress Strategic North Korea-China Treaty
Kim Jong-un told Wang Huning the North Korea-China strategic treaty ensures regional and global peace, as both sides reaffirm their alliance amid deepening geopolitical pressures.
Wang Huning in Pyongyang: What Kim's Summit with China Signals
Kim Jong Un met with Wang Huning, China's top political adviser, in Pyongyang — a high-level session continuing the diplomatic sequence begun by Xi Jinping's own visit.
Kim Jong Un Meets China's Wang Huning in Pyongyang
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met Wang Huning, China's foremost political strategist, in Pyongyang on Thursday as state media confirmed the high-level diplomatic exchange.
Kim Jong Un Vows Deeper China Ties on Friendship Treaty Anniversary
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un met China's top political adviser Wang Huning in Pyongyang, pledging closer ties as the two nations mark their friendship treaty anniversary.
A Divided World Is North Korea's Greatest Asset
Geopolitical fractures between Washington, Beijing, and Moscow have dismantled the UN sanctions architecture that once constrained Pyongyang's nuclear program, handing Kim Jong Un a historic strategic opening.
Russia and China Have a Plan to Disable Starlink Over Ukraine
Russia and China have jointly developed a plan to disable SpaceX's Starlink network over Ukraine, EUobserver reports, as the war enters its 1,604th day and expands into space.
Wang Huning Visits Pyongyang in Senior Chinese Diplomatic Trip
Wang Huning, a Politburo Standing Committee member, met a top North Korean official in Pyongyang, KCNA confirmed, following North Korea's premier visit to Beijing days earlier.
Kim Jong-un's Hand Seen in North Korea Premier's China Visit
South Korean analysts say Kim Jong-un's personal priorities are driving North Korea's premier's Beijing visit, a rare diplomatic contact amid shifting great-power competition.
China Detains U.S. Seismologist After North Korea Nuclear Study
Beijing has detained Chinese-American seismologist Youlin Chen after he published research on North Korean nuclear testing, adding new strain to U.S.-China relations.
China Detains U.S. Seismologist Tracking North Korea's Nuclear Tests
Beijing has detained an American seismologist specializing in North Korean nuclear test monitoring, Reuters reported exclusively, adding a new flashpoint to already strained U.S.-China relations.
China's SLBM Test: A Milestone, Not a Provocation
Beijing's submarine-launched ballistic missile test is a genuine step forward for its nuclear deterrent—but analysts warn the reflexive alarm misreads China's actual doctrine.
China Missile Test: The Defense Race Is Now About Networks, Not Platforms
A Chinese missile test has reignited debate over what wins modern wars: not fleet size or platform range, but networked resilience and alliances-driven deterrence.
14 Nations Reaffirm Ruling Against China's South China Sea Claims
Fourteen nations issued a joint statement declaring China's maritime claims in the South China Sea have no basis in international law, reaffirming the 2016 arbitration ruling.
Xi Jinping Doubles Down on Kim Jong Un as Beijing Vows Unshakable Ties
Beijing reaffirms an ironclad partnership with Pyongyang as North Korea condemns the NATO summit, deepening the China-DPRK axis against U.S. and allied pressure.
Graham Calls on China to Press Russia; Trump Said to Back Oil Tariffs
Senator Graham urges Beijing to leverage economic ties with Moscow as sources say the Trump administration is moving toward heavy tariffs on Russian oil exports.
Iran Oil Backs Up at Sea as Chinese Refiners Shift to Gulf Rivals
Iran's sanctioned crude is piling up at sea as China's independent refiners pivot to rival Gulf suppliers, traders say, squeezing Tehran's oil revenues.
Graham Urges China to Pressure Russia as Senate Strikes Sanctions Deal
Senator Graham called on China to press Russia toward peace in Ukraine as senators announced a deal with Trump on new sanctions and his administration backed Russian oil tariffs.
Xi Hosts North Korea's Premier in Beijing Amid Pyongyang Nuclear Vow
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with North Korea's premier in Beijing on Thursday, state media confirmed, as Pyongyang separately pledged to expand its nuclear arsenal in 'quality and quantity.'
China Expands Anti-Sanctions Toolkit, Raising Risks for Foreign Firms
Beijing is rolling out new countermeasures against U.S. and EU export controls and sanctions, increasing legal and operational risk for multinationals operating in China.
Typhoon Bavi Bears Down on Taiwan as China Military Pressure Persists
Typhoon Bavi bears down on Taiwan as Beijing maintains coast guard patrols near the island, compounding the demands on Taiwan's emergency and defense planners.
US Rebukes China Over Hours' Notice Before Submarine Missile Test
Washington criticized Beijing for providing only hours of advance warning before a submarine-launched missile test, flagging China's 'rapid and opaque nuclear weapons buildup.'
Iran Insists on Hormuz Transit Fees, Offering China Special Terms
Iran's ambassador to China told the World Peace Forum on July 5 that Hormuz service fees are inevitable, directly challenging the six-week-old ceasefire accord with Washington.
China Warned of Severe Consequences Over Taiwan Strait Military Action
Western analysts sharpen deterrence warnings toward Beijing as China's navy conducts a rare submarine ballistic missile test in the South Pacific, raising regional alarm.
China Fires Pacific Missile as Australia Signs Fiji Defense Alliance
Beijing test-launched a submarine ballistic missile into the South Pacific while Australia signed a new defense pact with Fiji, pledging full support against any outside attack.
Taiwan Resumes Anti-Communist Patriotic Classes as China Threat Grows
Taiwan has reintroduced anti-communist patriotic education in public schools, with officials citing an intensifying military and political threat from Beijing across the strait.
Beijing's Hidden Stake in the Hormuz Halt
China imports more Gulf oil than any country and brokered the 2023 Saudi-Iran normalization. It has the most to lose from Hormuz closure and unique leverage over Tehran.
Gulf Splits: Saudi Condemns Iran Strikes as Qatar Mediates in Tehran
Gulf states publicly fractured today over the Iran strike cycle, with Riyadh issuing a sharp condemnation while a Qatari delegation arrived in Tehran for talks.
China and Iran Push Back on US-Backed Hormuz Resolution at UN
Beijing and Tehran moved to block a US- and Bahrain-backed UN Security Council resolution on the Strait of Hormuz, as Seoul and Abu Dhabi hedged against Iranian disruption.
Xi Pledges No Arms to Iran, Backs Hormuz Opening in Trump Summit
Trump says Xi Jinping promised not to arm Iran and offered to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz, with the White House confirming a first joint US-China position on the blockade.
Trump Lands in Beijing as Xi Summit Pivots on Iran Ceasefire
Trump arrives for two-day summit with Xi Jinping. The central question: whether China will use its leverage as Iran's dominant oil buyer to press Tehran toward nuclear concessions.
US Sanctions 12 Entities Routing Iranian Oil to China
Treasury designates 12 front companies across Hong Kong, UAE, and Oman as Bessent links Beijing's energy purchases to Iranian terrorism financing.
Chinese Tanker Hit Near UAE Complicates Beijing's Stance
A cruise missile struck the Chinese-owned JV Innovation near the UAE on May 7, the first Chinese vessel hit in the 2026 Hormuz crisis, putting Beijing's neutrality under direct pressure ahead of the May 14 Trump-Xi summit.
Araghchi in Beijing as U.S. Presses China to Break Hormuz Deadlock
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi met Chinese counterpart Wang Yi in Beijing on Wednesday as Secretary of State Rubio urged China to tell Tehran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz before the May 14 Trump-Xi summit.
Russia and China's Iran posture: real or performative?
Both major powers have benefited from the Iran cycle without committing to either side. Their public statements are loud; their actions are minimal. Here's what each is actually doing — and why the restraint matters more than the rhetoric.