A Chinese tanker passed through the Strait of Hormuz but was later made to turn back by U.S. forces. War Secretary Pete Hegseth is warning Iran’s new regime to “choose wisely.” “We’re carrying out this blockade using less than 10 percent of America’s naval power,” Hegseth said. The Pentagon is turning to automakers for weapons production. It’s asking companies such as General Motors and Ford to help boost output, as wars in Ukraine and the Middle East strain U.S. munitions stockpiles. More than a dozen Chinese scholars were turned away from the United States. China says they were denied entry at a Seattle airport despite holding valid visas. 00:00 Intro 00:59 Sanctioned Chinese Tanker Turns Back in Strait of Hormuz 01:56 Hegseth to Iranian Regime: “Choose Wisely” 02:41 Hegseth: U.S. Controls Strait, Warns Iran 03:50 Caine: U.S. to Pursue Ships Aiding Iran 04:48 Hegseth: China Assures U.S. It’s Not Giving Iran Weapons 05:03 Pentagon Turns to Automakers for Weapons Production: WSJ 06:24 20 Chinese Scholars Turned Away at U.S. Border 08:10 Tightening VPN Bans, Fines, Raids: Chinese Netizens 10:43 Supply Chains Shift From China to Mexico 12:37 Aging China Loses Edge as Mexico Remains Young 14:45 Cybersecurity Expert on AI Adoption and Power 15:01 Rex Lee: AI Risk Comes Down to How It’s Used 18:56 Fixing AI Risk Starts With Changing Business Models

Source: Chinese Tanker Forced Back to Strait of Hormuz | China in Focus

China’s economy isn’t just slowing down—it’s starting to feel different. Hospitals are closing. Withdrawals are getting blocked. Jobs are harder to find. As 2026 unfolds, the pressure is no longer hidden in official data—it’s showing up in everyday life. Patients are flooding hospitals, yet facilities are shutting down. Banks are tightening control over withdrawals, and in some cases, deposits are disappearing. At the same time, wages are falling, competition is intensifying, and even highly educated workers are struggling to secure stable jobs. This episode looks at what’s happening across healthcare, banking, and the labor market—and why these changes may be connected. When all three start shifting at once, it’s not just a slowdown. It’s something deeper—and people on the ground are already paying the price.

Source: When Jobs, Banks, and Wages All Shift at Once: China’s Economic Reality

A fragile ceasefire between the US and Iran has shone a spotlight on China’s evolving role in global crises. After initially keeping a low profile, Beijing has stepped up diplomatic efforts, positioning itself as a mediator while maintaining close ties with Tehran. At the same time, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are fueling speculation that China could use this crisis — including Iran’s collection of tolls in the Chinese currency — to advance RMB internationalization and reshape global energy markets. But is China emerging as a genuine peacemaker — or pursuing a strategic advantage? In this episode, we examine China’s shifting approach to the Iran conflict, the economic and geopolitical implications, and what these developments could mean for the Taiwan Strait and the broader balance of power. *Recorded on April 9, 2026 at 3:15pm Taiwan Standard Time Host: Wen-Ti Sung Producer: Chinyeh Chiang Our guests: Lee Chia-yi National Chengchi University Department of Diplomacy Professor Eric Chiou National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Center of Human Sciences Associate Professor Chapters: 00:00:00 – Beijing’s Risks in Iran Talks 00:01:50 – China Claims Credit for Truce 00:11:34 – Iran Collects Hormuz Tolls with RMB, Crypto 00:22:20 – Xi-Trump Summit Back On

Source: China’s Stakes in Iran Talks: Currency, Oil and a Bid for Global Influence | Taiwan Talks EP 812

“China is really out of money” and “the national treasury has been emptied” have been sensitive topics circulating for some time. Although official propaganda about the economic situation remains optimistic, the public’s perception is growing increasingly bleak. A recent major report suggests that the most concerning scenario may soon fully emerge.

Source: China’s Economy in a Death Spiral: Treasury Drained, $13 Trillion Debt Soars 15x!

Xi Jinping’s purges are ramping up! Ma Xingrui, a member of the Politburo and Xi ally, is out! This is unprecedented. And it’s only the beginning. Time for another episode of the People’s favorite Communist Soap Opera General Hostility…

Source: I THINK XI JINPING HAS ACTUALLY GONE INSANE

The US, Japan and other regional forces are coming together for the Philippines-hosted Salaknib (Shield), Cope Thunder and Balikatan (Shoulder-to-Shoulder) exercises, as the First Island Chain enters a new phase of military coordination. With record troop numbers and expanded multi-domain drills, these exercises are meant to strengthen interoperability, while reinforcing a growing “missile arc” strategy aimed at deterring China. The historic deployment of Japanese troops to the Philippines for the first time since World War II also marks a significant shift in regional security dynamics. How will this evolving network of alliances affect Beijing’s strategic calculus? And could Taiwan join in the future? In this episode, we examine the scale and significance of these exercises and what they mean for the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific balance of power. *Recorded on April 14, 2026 at 2:30pm Taiwan Standard Time Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat Research Assistant: Ryan Pham Our guests: Lee Ting-sheng Republic of China (Taiwan) Air Force Lt. General (Ret.) Kitsch Liao Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub Associate Director Chapters: 00:00:00 – US Allies Gather in the Philippines for Exercises 00:01:26 – Manila Hosts Large-Scale Land, Air and Sea Drills 00:10:06 – Why Does China Fear US-PH-Japan Alliance? 00:19:36 – Allied Defenses Complicate China’s Naval Aims

Source: Biggest – Ever First Island Chain Drills: Japan Deploys to Philippines for First Time Since WWII | EP811

Reports are coming out that China is now arming Iran, a huge escalation that could make this war much, much worse. Trump and China are denying it, but Chinese state media paint a different picture…

Source: NO!!!! CHINA, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!?!

At 2:48 AM on April 14, a major fire broke out at the BYD factory in Longping Road, Pinghu District, Shenzhen. Multiple buildings were engulfed in flames, sending fire and thick smoke into the sky. The fire spread quickly, and the affected area was vast. The fire was so intense that it could be seen clearly from several kilometers away.

Source: Breaking! Shocking Fire at BYD HQ, 2,000+ Cars Burned to Ashes, Explosions Like Missile Strikes

China Update provides the most up to date political, economic, and geopolitical news and analysis on China. Videos are based on hundreds of articles, think tank reports, government statements and other resources in English and Chinese. China Update is fully independent and I make the videos.

Source: Xi Jinping: It’s All ‘Crumbling Into Disarray’ | China’s Economy Hit Hard | US – China

​Taiwan’s national security officials on Wednesday weighed in on China’s latest hybrid threats both around Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific.

Source: Taiwan’s Latest Nat’l Security Report Highlights China’s Hybrid Warfare｜TaiwanPlus News

Several Chinese survey ships have reportedly been conducting hydrographic survey operations across the Indo-Pacific, ostensibly under the guise of deep-sea mining research. Join our discussion on the potential threats these activities pose to regional security.

Source: Chinese Survey Ships’ Mysterious ‘Lawnmower’ Patterns in the Indo – Pacific | Taiwan Talks

A bipartisan US Senate delegation has arrived in Taiwan, led by Senate Foreign Affairs Committee ranking member Jeanne Shaheen, a Democrat, and John Curtis, a Republican. The group met President Lai Ching-te and endorsed his US$40 billion special defense budget proposal.

Source: US Senators Visit Taiwan, Support Lai’s US$40 Billion Defense Budget Bill｜TaiwanPlus News

China is expanding its footprint in the South China Sea with rapid construction on Antelope Reef, potentially creating its largest overseas military base yet. At the same time, Beijing has imposed unusually large and prolonged airspace restrictions near Japan and South Korea — raising questions about whether it is preparing for something more significant. With the US focused on the Middle East, is China exploiting a strategic window to shift the status quo in Asia? From island-building to airspace control, these moves could reshape regional security and complicate any future Taiwan contingency. In this episode, we examine what China may be planning and the implications for Southeast Asia, the Taiwan Strait and the greater Indo-Pacific region.

Source: China Builds Biggest – Ever Base in South China Sea – Locks Down Airspace for 40 Days | EP806

Like all construction in China, Chinese nuclear power plants were built fast and cheap. And now that Made in China quality is showing. China is about to have its own Chernobyl.

Source: China Is About to Have Its Own Chernobyl

On March 31, 2026, a U.S. federal court delivered a major blow to the Chinese Communist Party. In a landmark ruling, Judge Jon Tigar upheld Li Nanyang’s donation of her father Li Rui’s diaries to Stanford’s Hoover Institution, rejecting Beijing’s efforts to seize them. Spanning 83 years and roughly 10 million words, the diaries of Mao’s former secretary contain explosive firsthand accounts of the Lushan Conference, the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, and candid observations about Xi Jinping. Fearing the truth inside these 40 boxes, the CCP waged a seven-year legal battle across two countries — using consulates, courts, and even family members. The court victory ensures these rare historical records remain open to the public in America. This case reveals how far Beijing will go to control its past — and how one daughter’s determination protected a lifetime of hidden truths.

Source: CCP Loses Court Battle Over 10 Million Words That Could Shake Modern China | Digging into China

Living in China for so long, we would like to share some of the comparisons that we have found between China and the west, and shed some light on the situation. Every week, we take you to a new place in China on our bikes, cover a topic, and reply to your questions.

Source: China is a Literal DUMP!

Taiwan is heavily investing in its minesweeping and minelaying capabilities to bolster deterrence against potential Chinese invasion. Join our discussion on how Taiwan should prioritize its approach.

Source: Can Taiwan’s Naval Mines Thwart Potential Chinese Attacks? | Taiwan Talks

Grant Newsham, a retired Marine Colonel and senior fellow at the Japan Forum for Strategic Studies and the Center for Security Policy, sits down with NTD’s Steve Lance to discuss how China-backed political actors are launching a coordinated effort to weaken America’s critical allies like South Korea and Taiwan, and the implications this has for U.S. policy in the Indo-Pacific. —

Source: How China Leverages Political Proxies to Subvert US Allies | Ret. Col. Grant Newsham

When a doctor falls out a window in China, there’s a question of whether it was their own choice (suicide) or someone else’s (murder). In this episode we talk about why it’s so dangerous to be a Chinese doctor and why Taipei’s former mayor has a price on his head after doing business with Chinese hospitals.

Source: Chinese Doctors Falling from Windows—Accident or Murder?

Since last year, when gold and silver prices soared, countless investors, drawn by the “wealth myth,” flocked in. Chinese people have an almost stubborn love for gold and silver, believing that tangible things are the most reliable. What they didn’t expect was that this “reliable” weight has now become the heavy burden crushing their lives.

Source: Silver Crashes, RAM Prices Dive, Chinese Speculators Left in Tears

Evidence shows China is building out its nuclear weapons sites in secrecy. New satellite images show major construction deep inside the country. Five Shen Yun shows were canceled in Toronto after receiving bogus bomb threats—a first in 20 years. Taiwan is strengthening defenses on the Pratas Islands. Meanwhile, China is expanding its military footprint in the South China Sea, with new construction underway on a massive base. Mass protests in China are becoming more frequent, reflecting the country’s dire economic situation. A big win for America in the critical minerals race with China. A U.S. firm has acquired one of the world’s largest cobalt producers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It’s one of the few remaining mines not already controlled by China. For the first time in 50 years, NASA astronauts have set off to orbit the Moon. 00:00 Intro 01:00 China Secretly Expands Nuclear Weapons Sites: Report 02:10 Beauty and Tradition Silenced in Toronto 03:38 All Theater Bomb Threats in Past 2 Years Were Hoaxes 04:27 Canadian Lawmakers Back Shen Yun, Condemn Threats 06:24 Shen Yun Faces 150 Fake Threats Within 2 Years 07:10 Taiwan Moves to Boost Pratas Islands Defenses 08:31 China Builds Massive Base in South China Sea 09:23 Mass Protests Become More Frequent in China 09:39 Jailed Reporter Zhang Zhan in Poor Health 10:11 Retired Workers Protest at Social Security Bureau 10:47 Major E-Commerce Platform Investors Protest Again 11:18 UK Navy Captain Steps Down Over China Spy Probe 11:55 US Company Acquires Huge Congolese Cobalt Miner 12:59 Nike Forecasts Sales Drop, Stock Sinks 14:45 NASA’s Artemis II Begins Journey Around the Moon 16:05 Trump Congratulates NASA, Artemis II Crew After Launch 16:24 Competition in Space Race Heating Up With China 16:51 Moon-Bound Artemis II Crew Launches Into Space | Analysis 17:03 US Leads by Example in Peaceful Space Use: Fisher 19:18 Space Policy Should Be Bipartisan: Kurdian

Source: China Secretly Expands Massive Nuclear Weapons Facility | China in Focus

The Trump administration is condemning the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) for a spike in detaining Panama-flagged ships at Chinese ports. Secretary of State Marco Rubio calls it economic bullying, suggesting the CCP is retaliating against Panama for removing Chinese control of ports at the Panama Canal. —

Source: Rubio Condemns China Over Detaining Panama Vessels

Communist China’s purge has cut deep into the heart of its power structure, targeting key members of the politburo—the committee that makes the top decisions in the country. Beijing announced on Friday that Ma Xing-Rui, the former party head of Xinjiang, is now under investigation for ‘severe violations’ of laws and party discipline, which usually means corruption. That makes him the third politburo member targeted in the past six months. Who is Ma, and why do analysts say his purge sets a precedent for shakeups within China’s defense industry?

Source: China Purge Widens:  3rd Top Official Targeted

China’s purge is expanding to the top leadership. Another Politburo member has been removed—making that the third in six months. What does this purge say about Xi Jinping’s scrutiny of China’s military industry? The FBI is sounding the alarm on popular apps tied to China—warning that your personal data could be at risk. Here’s what you need to know before you download. Despite an FBI warning, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani is leading the city government back onto TikTok, a platform with ties to China. Made in China—exploding airbags are under review. Federal regulators are considering a nationwide ban on Chinese-made inflators tied to 10 deaths. China faces shipping backlash: Secretary of State Marco Rubio is accusing Beijing of bullying over rising tensions involving dozens of Panama-flagged vessels and key canal ports. 00:00 Intro 01:08 China Purge Widens: 3rd Top Official Targeted 02:52 Aerospace, Military Industry Purges Amid Weapons Failures 04:13 FBI Issues Warning on Using Chinese-Made Apps 05:43 NYC Government Returns to TikTok: Security Issues Raised 08:06 FBI Labels China-Linked Cyber Breach ‘Major Incident’ 08:57 FCC Proposes New Chinese Tech Restrictions 09:53 US-China Drug Crisis: Cooperation, Tensions Remain 10:37 Regulators Weigh Ban on Chinese Airbag Inflators 11:43 Rubio Condemns China’s Detainment of Panama-Flagged Vessels 13:17 Panel Examines Chinese Automakers’ Impact on Industry 15:01 US Lawmaker Introduces Bill to Ban Chinese Car Parts 15:27 US Auto Industry Relies Heavily on China 16:16 Chinese Auto Tech Sparks US Security Concerns 17:41 Cutting Chinese Auto Parts Could Raise Prices 18:55 Tesla at Risk From Possible Chinese Parts Ban 20:56 High Gas Prices? Experts Urge EV Patience

Source: Beijing’s Widest Military Purge Yet | China in Focus

Gatestone Institute senior fellow Gordon Chang joins ‘Varney & Co.’ to discuss China’s cyber threats, growing aggression in the South China Sea and the escalating race for dominance in space. 0:00 Is China Winning the Space Race? 0:48 How SpaceX and Artemis Changed the Game 1:09 FBI Cyber Hack: Imposing Costs on Beijing 2:14 South China Sea: The World’s Most Volatile Flashpoint 3:33 Military Purges: Why China Can’t Invade Taiwan (Yet)

Source: ‘EXTREMELY BELLIGERENT ACTIVITY’: China’s moves INTENSIFY regional fear

Those anti-American protests flooding your feed? Not organic. Not spontaneous. And definitely not independent. A massive web of CCP-linked money tied to Shanghai based millionaire Neville Roy Singham is fueling unrest, pushing propaganda, and turning Americans against their own country. This isn’t activism—it’s a coordinated operation.

Source: China’s Most DANGEROUS Weapon

Iran attacked an oil tanker heading to China on Tuesday. This came after insider sources said Iran had rejected Beijing’s bid to mediate the war. China is resuming imports of U.S. oil and gas after a long pause in trade. It comes as the Iran war ripples through global energy markets. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth discussed Russia’s and China’s role in the war: “As far as Russia and China, we know exactly what they’re doing—what they are or are not doing.” EU lawmakers are heading to both China and Taiwan on the same day, amid growing tensions with the United States. And President Donald Trump is voicing frustration with NATO allies over their lack of support in the Iran war. Japan is making a major military shift—deploying long-range missiles that can strike from afar, as tensions with China continue to escalate. 00:00 Intro 01:03 Iran Bombs Huge China-Bound Tanker 02:00 China to Resume U.S. Energy Imports Amid Iran War 02:55 Hegseth: “Upcoming Days Will Be Decisive” in the War 03:39 Hegseth: U.S. Confronts Russia, China Over War 04:09 Trump Slams NATO Allies for Lack of Support Over Iran 05:36 EU Lawmakers Visit China for First Time in 8 Years 06:51 EU Delegations Visit China and Taiwan Same Day 07:06 Japan Deploys Long-Range Cruise Missiles 08:10 Congressman Calls for Release of Chinese Dissidents 09:07 3 Violent Attacks in 30 Days: Faith Group Targeted 12:14 NASA Prepares First Lunar Mission in Over 50 Years 14:20 China Assembles Drone Fleet Near Taiwan 14:39 China Converts Aging J-6 Jets Into Taiwan Decoys 16:37 China’s J-6 Drones Pose a Real Threat to Taiwan 18:21 Jet Drones Could Strike Taiwan in 7 Minutes 19:37 Beijing Signals It Could Start War to Distract U.S.

Source: Iran Bombs Huge China – bound Tanker | China in Focus

Former Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao just made a rare public appearance—and it’s raising serious questions. Days after Xi Jinping resurfaced in Xiong’an, Wen appeared at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in a highly staged visit. A 1-minute video reveals key details—from the crowd to the convoy and military-linked security details. Is this just a public appearance—or a signal of deeper power dynamics inside China’s leadership? We break down what the footage shows and what it could mean.

Source: A Retired Leader Just Challenged Xi Jinping and It Was Caught on Camera

Recently, a video about the poor quality of a local river embankment project has caught public attention. The video shows that the concrete easily crumbles, showing it’s definitely a subpar project. This has brought the focus back to the long-term maintenance and safety issues of national-level major water projects, especially massive projects like the Three Gorges Dam.

Source: Big Trouble at Three Gorges Dam? Cement Like Tofu, Senior Engineer Arrested,Demolition Rumors Spread

A visiting delegation of US senators has had an inside look at Taiwan’s military R&D hub, demonstrating the country’s commitment to its own defense. Yet ongoing delays in US arms deliveries are also a concern.

Source: US Senators Tour Taiwan’s Defense Innovation Hub｜TaiwanPlus News

Everyone’s focused on Taiwan—but China has its eyes on more than just one target. Singapore sits at the heart of global trade and US military logistics. If conflict breaks out, it could become one of the most critical battlegrounds.

Source: When China Attacks Singapore…

Ironclad relationship between Iran and China? Not exactly. Iran turned back two Chinese container ships trying to transit the Strait of Hormuz—even though a top Chinese official had tried to secure safe passage. China’s top chipmaker under scrutiny. U.S. officials say it has been supplying semiconductor equipment to Iran’s military for about a year—despite existing sanctions. Tensions are escalating ahead of President Donald Trump’s China visit. Beijing is launching investigations into U.S. trade practices. We have more on how this is targeting Washington’s move to resume some tariffs on China. Old fighter jets converted into attack drones are now deployed near Taiwan by Beijing. What could it mean for future tensions over the island? A new book about forced organ harvesting in China climbs The New York Times bestseller list. “Killed to Order,” by Jan Jekielek, senior editor at The Epoch Times, is raising major questions about the Chinese Communist Party. 00:00 Intro 01:20 Iran Blocks Chinese Ships in Hormuz; Factories Hit 02:54 US Officials: China Sent Chip Tech to Iran Military 03:33 China Retaliates Over Possible US Tariff Hikes 05:11 China Deploys Jets-Turned-Drones at Bases Near Taiwan 06:32 Book on China’s Organ Harvesting on NYT Best Seller List 07:16 China Says Organs Ready in Weeks, Raising Concerns 10:24 2 Indicted After IED Found at Florida Air Force Base 12:33 Stanford Student Testifies on Beijing’s Campus Espionage 14:52 Lawmakers Warn CCP Targeting US Universities 15:27 US Company Produces Rare Earth Material After Decades 16:18 How China, Russia Weaponize Data From Smartphones 16:44 Military Tracks Iran Using Smartphones, Cameras 18:00 Civil-Military Fusion Takes Data Tracking to New Level 19:26 China, Russia May Use Ads to Collect Your Data

Source: Iran Blocks Chinese Ships in Hormuz | China in Focus

Why did Xi Jinping stay in Beijing for 133 days without leaving?This video examines growing questions around his relationship with the PLA, the unusual break from long-standing CCP travel patterns, and the deeper tensions inside China’s military system. At the center of it all is a little-known story tied to the 2023 floods in Hebei—and a powerful unit, the 82nd Group Army, that reportedly suffered devastating losses. Some now describe it as a “blood feud” that hasn’t been resolved. Is this why Xi chose to stay close to Beijing—and why his first trip was to tightly controlled Xiong’an New Area? This is not just about one trip.It’s about control, trust, and what may be happening inside the PLA.

Source: The PLA “Blood Feud” Behind Xi’s 133 Days in Beijing