Should Taiwan seek to join a mutual defense alliance with neighboring nations? How might Taipei fulfill such a role, while avoiding a direct provocation of Beijing? Watch our discussion and share your thoughts below.

Source: Should a Hypothetical ‘Asian NATO’ Include Taiwan? | Taiwan Talks

00:00 Intro 00:46 Unpacking China’s Mineral War, Global Response: Expert 01:25 Significance Of Rare Earth Minerals 03:53 Alliance Secures Rare Earth Supply Chains 05:49 How Did China Become The Dominant Player? 09:45 Why Beijing Fixates On Rare Earth Metals 10:30 Green Tech Boom Hinges On Mineral Supply 12:08 Global Security And Competition For Critical Minerals 12:34 Mining Is Ugly, But The West Needs It 14:49 Clean Tech Isn’t Really Clean 16:19 Critical Minerals To Shape The Next War 17:59 To Cut Reliance On China, Follow The Money 19:25 Japan Turns To Deep Sea Mining For Minerals

Source: Unpacking China’s Mineral War, Global Response | China in Focus

At a global disarmament conference in Geneva, the United States accused China of secretly conducting low-yield nuclear tests in 2020 — an allegation Beijing strongly denies. The claim comes at a pivotal moment, as the New START treaty between the US and Russia has expired and Washington pushes for a new trilateral arms control framework that China refuses to join. Are we entering a post–arms control era marked by renewed nuclear testing and unconstrained warhead deployments? In this episode, we examine the credibility of the US allegations, China’s strategic calculus, the collapse of traditional arms control regimes, and what a potential three-way nuclear competition could mean for the Indo-Pacific and Taiwan. *Recorded on February 12, 2026 at 3:15pm Taiwan Standard Time Host: Wen-Ti Sung Producer: Chinyeh Chiang Our guests: Kitsch Liao Atlantic Council’s Global China Hub Associate Director K. Tristan Tang Pacific Forum Non-Resident Vasey Fellow Chapters: 00:00:00 – Talks Falter as US-Russia Treaty Expires 00:01:40 – US Accuses China of Secret Nuke Tests 00:09:00 – New START Treaty Lapses 00:14:00 – US Calls for Treaty With Russia, China

Source: Nuclear Deadlock: US Alleges Secret China Tests as New START Treaty Expires | Taiwan Talks EP780

China’s global image of strength—built on growth, infrastructure, and military spectacle—masks a system shaped by state control, distorted data, and strategic propaganda, raising urgent questions about how democracies should assess Beijing’s real power to avoid costly strategic miscalculation.

Source: China: Empire of Illusion | Frank Dikötter

China—along with other countries around the globe—is facing a new 15 percent tariff on all goods exported to the United States. That’s on top of industrial tariffs President Donald Trump imposed last year. Trump says China will benefit if the Supreme Court rules against his birthright citizenship order. The court is set to consider the issue in April. Fake news sites tied to the Chinese Communist Party are the subject of a new report, which says a China-linked network is impersonating major U.S. media outlets. It’s targeting a New York performing arts company founded by victims of persecution under communism. An event in Nashville highlights the challenges Christian communities are facing worldwide and how believers are responding. Sam Brownback, former U.S. ambassador-at-large for International Religious Freedom, said: “China’s at war with God. They will not win this war, but they could cause a lot of death and carnage 00:00 Intro 01:09 How Trump’s 15% global tariff will impact chinese goods 04:03 Trump: Any Change to Birthright Rule Could Help China 04:51 Report: CCP-Linked Fake Sites Mimic Major Media Outlets 07:40 Faith Groups Highlight Work Against Religious Persecution 10:24 India Joins Pax Silica to Challenge China’s Technology Sector 12:15 Trump Raises Global Tariffs From 10 Percent to 15 Percent | Analysis 🔵Tiffany Meier’s documentary Hollywood Takeover – how Beijing is rewriting the script in America’s film industry: hollywoodtakeover.com

Source: How Trump’s New 15% Global Tariff Impacts Chinese Goods | China in Focus

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. X (Formerly Twitter): / tonychinaupdate Channel email: [email protected] 00:00 Introduction 00:17 US-China: Trump Visit & Taiwan Trade 04:32 China Investors Embrace AI Rally 07:21 China’s Auto Sector Slump

Source: 44% Crash: Taiwan Just Surpassed China | US – China Trade | China’s Economy | AI Trade

This video exposes the hidden wealth empire of Xi Jinping’s family, shattering the official narrative of clean leadership. Despite claims since 2012 that relatives exited business, evidence shows no real severance—instead, assets moved into shadowy proxies and shell companies. Xi’s sister Qi Qiaoqiao quietly dominates lucrative sectors: Venezuelan oil deals netting billions annually via special quotas, rare earth monopolies in Jiangxi, concrete supply in Shenzhen-Guangzhou, and deep ties to China Ping An Insurance. Estimated family-controlled assets exceed 20 trillion RMB (~$3 trillion USD). The script details money-laundering via white glove Chen Zhi, whose 127,271 Bitcoin ($15 billion) and London properties were seized by US-UK authorities in 2026. His repatriation to China is portrayed as silencing to protect the family. Ultimately, the decade of “anti-corruption” is framed as a brutal wealth centralization, turning national resources into one family’s private fortune—while ordinary people pay the price.

Source: (4206) 20 Trillion RMB in the Shadows – The Xi Family Wealth Map Exposed | Digging into China

Since Xi Jinping’s arrest of Zhang Youxia, the second-highest-ranking military official, and General Liu Zhenli, the military has been in turmoil. A video uploaded by X users claims that an explosion occurred at a Chinese military facility in Zibo, Shandong on February 21. This incident is reportedly connected to dissatisfaction with Xi within the military.

Source: (4206) Breaking! Explosion Rocks PLA Shandong Base, Zhang Youxia’s Son Claims Father Was Killed

China has amassed vast “floating barriers” – stretching at least 200 miles – mobilising thousands of fishing vessels in a new threat to Taiwan.An animation created using ship-tracking data shows around 1,400 boats gathering in the East China Sea, in two recent operations that went largely undetected until now.Maritime analysts have warned that “a formation of this size and discipline has never been seen before.”The boats are seen forming wall-like parallel or L-shaped lines so dense, that some approaching cargo ships appeared to skirt around them or had to zigzag through.Such formations serve as a display of maritime coordination or a potential “gray-zone” blockade, known to be part of China’s harassment playbook at sea.

The Fujian aircraft carrier has officially joined the fleet. Since crossing the Taiwan Strait in December 2025, it has resumed its maritime training exercises. Expectations are high for its performance in this new round of training, with hopes of uncovering fresh highlights.Chinese military experts are also paying close attention. After carefully analyzing the latest official video, the results may disappoint some. They found that Fujian’s performance in this exercise showed no new breakthroughs and, in fact, highlighted some ongoing issues, with a few even becoming more evident.

Taiwan’s Cabinet says it will continue safeguarding the country’s industries and maintaining steady economic development as US tariff policy shifts. US President Donald Trump on Friday imposed a sweeping 10% global tariff to replace measures struck down by a US Supreme Court ruling, while the White House signaled some tariffs would be ended. 📹 Reporter(s): TaiwanPlus#TaiwanPlus #TaiwanPlusNews #TaiwanNews-

After the downfall of Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, Xi Jinping hasn’t left Beijing for three months — breaking his New Year tradition of visiting frontline troops. Instead, he inspected the PLA by video from a heavily guarded hall, surrounded by only two senior figures. The empty optics and strange seating hinted at fear at the top. Then came a shock: the high-profile return of a once “politically radioactive” military seductress on CCTV platforms. This episode unpacks the body language, the staged visuals, and why her comeback sends a message Xi can’t ignore.

A Chinese company has been forced to sell land near a U.S. military site—a win for Utah’s government.Marrying U.S. military members to gain base access appears to be another Beijing-linked scheme. Lawsuits and arrests are underway.The CIA takes action: A Mandarin recruiting video targets Chinese officers after a rare military purge sparks backlash. The video says, “Anyone with leadership qualities is bound to be subject to suspicion and ruthlessly eliminated.”The United States and Taiwan have struck a trade deal—bolstering the island nation’s defense against Beijing’s threats.Japan seizes a Chinese fishing boat and arrests its captain, and China protests.China is also helping Russia sidestep U.S. sanctions, with tens of thousands of cars exported through China.00:00 Intro01:01 Utah forces Chinese Company to sell land01:44 Phony marriages for U.S. military base access04:02 CIA video recruiting Chinese officers as spies05:49 U.S. warns on China’s deals in Venezuela07:39 A declining China‑Venezuela relationship08:26 U.S.‑Taiwan reach reciprocal trade deal10:35 New NATO Arctic mission to defend against Russia, China11:07 Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat, arrests skipper11:41 2 Chinese nat’ls charged with spying on Buddhist group12:52 Foreign cars flow into Russia via China14:41 China deal offers zero tariffs to S. African exports15:12 Lessons from China’s Cultural Revolution: Xi van Fleet

China’s annual “Two Sessions” are set to open in early March, offering a critical glimpse into Beijing’s political priorities, economic direction and approach to Taiwan. This year’s meetings unfold amid exceptional uncertainty, following the dramatic purge of senior PLA leaders including Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia, raising questions about civil–military relations and internal stability. At the same time, China is entering its 15th Five-Year Plan period, with growth targets, defense spending, and industrial policy under intense scrutiny. How will Beijing balance political control, economic strain, and mounting external pressure from Washington? In this episode, we preview the Two Sessions, examine key political and economic signals to watch, and assess what shifts in rhetoric may reveal about China’s intentions toward Taiwan and the evolving US–China relationship. *Recorded on February 6, 2026 at 2pm Taiwan Standard Time Host: Wen-Ti SungProducer: Chinyeh Chiang Our guests: Titus Chen National Chengchi University Institute of International Relations Research Professor and Deputy DirectorWei-Feng Tzeng National Chengchi University Institute of International Relations Associate Research Fellow Chapters:00:00:00 – China Launches New 5-Year Plan amid Purges00:02:36 – China Loses Military Expertise in Latest Purges00:11:34 – Beijing’s Five-Year Plan Clings to 5% GDP Goal00:21:42 – Xi and Trump Discuss Taiwan on Phone Call#GovernmentWorkReport #EconomicGrothTarget #DefenseBudget #TaiwanPolicy #PLA #XiJinping #ZhangYouxia #LiuZhenli #JiangBin #ZhouXinmin #LuoQi #LiuCangli #ZhouChen #CentralMilitaryCommission #CMC #MilitaryPurge #ChinaPurge #PoliticalLoyalty #ChinaMilitary #CentralMilitaryCommission #RocketForce #AntiCorruption #TigersAndFlies #MilitaryModernization #ChinaDefense #DefenseBudget #ChinaEconomy #15thFiveYearPlan #5YearPlan #GDPGrowthTarget #5% #5Percent #ChinaDream #NewQualityProductiveForces #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #AIPlus #IoT #InternetofThings #HighTechIndustry #DomesticConsumption #RuralMarket #ChinaGrowth #NumberOneDocument #Agriculture #TaiwanStrait #TaiwanIssues #TaiwanAffairs #CrossStraitRelations #USChinaRelations #XiTrumpSummit #ArmSales #Geopolitics #ChinaForeignPolicy #InternationalAffairs #GlobalSecurity #ArtificialIntelligence #EVs #ElectricVehicles #Robotics #InternetOfThings #AerospaceChina #DefenseBudget #ChinaDream #EconomicMobilization #Technocrats #CentennialGoal #NDRC #NationalDevelopmentandReformCommission #TaiwanPlus #TaiwanTalks

Recently, a peculiar trend has swept across the Chinese internet—an unusual fascination with “tearing paper.” However, this isn’t paper being torn, but a material known as “hand-teared steel.”According to Chinese state media, this 0.015-millimeter-thick steel is a “national powerhouse” that has “broken the Western monopoly,” representing the “pinnacle of industry.” On platforms like Douyin and Weibo, countless Chinese nationalists have expressed their heartfelt sentiments, as if tearing this steel somehow pierced the technological barrier imposed by the West.

While the headlines claim victory, China’s economy is quietly breaking. Official data shows Beijing met its 5% GDP growth target for 2025, but a closer look at the numbers reveals a system stabilizing under massive strain. In this video, we uncover the truth behind the Chinese property market crash, where new home prices are plummeting and state-owned firms are buying foreclosed assets at nearly half price.We break down why China’s manufacturing sector is hovering near contraction despite trillions in liquidity injections from the People’s Bank of China. The data exposes a terrifying reality: a deflationary spiral where producer prices are falling, consumer demand is weak, and businesses are refusing to borrow money. Is this the start of a financial crisis that could drag down the global economy?From the hidden youth unemployment numbers to the stalling belt and road momentum, we analyze why the world’s second-largest economy isn’t accelerating—it’s stalling. Watch to understand how this “silent slowdown” will impact global trade, commodity prices, and your portfolio in 2026.#ChinaEconomy #Geopolitics #Recession

A spectacular show at the Spring Festival Gala sub-venue in Yibin, China’s Sichuan, showcased China’s domestically developed unmanned aerial vehicles in their first clustered public appearance on the gala stage.

Japan’s recent election delivered a landslide victory for Sanae Takaichi and her Liberal Democratic Party, securing 316 seats in the lower house—the strongest ruling-party performance since World War II. This gives Takaichi unprecedented power to advance policies once championed by her mentor Shinzo Abe: raising defense spending to 2% of GDP, introducing nuclear-powered submarines, and ultimately amending the constitution to normalize Japan’s military as a full National Defense Force.Far from reviving militarism, these moves stem from deep alarm over China’s rise and military expansion. Takaichi is accelerating Abe’s strategy of building a values-based alliance—especially with the United States—to counter the CCP threat, with clearer commitments to Taiwan’s defense likely ahead. As Cold War 2.0 takes shape, Japan is welding itself firmly to the American camp, setting the stage for sharper Sino-Japanese confrontation in the years to come.

A massive sinkhole has suddenly opened on a busy road in Shanghai, China’s largest financial hub. What caused it?Two Chinese-American female athletes are in the spotlight—not for the medals they won, but for the paths they took. Alysa Liu won figure skating gold for the U.S., while Eileen Gu took freestyle skiing silver for China. A former NBA player calls Eileen Gu a traitor—but she says it’s more about opportunity, not loyalty.Lily Tang Williams, survivor, Mao’s Cultural Revolution: “I think Eileen Gu might consider becoming a Chinese citizen, living there, and seeing what it’s like.”Forty-eight hours after his release by ICE, a Chinese whistleblower with evidence of Beijing’s alleged human rights abuses sat down with us last week. He crossed the U.S. southern border in 2020–21, hoping to escape persecution by the Chinese regime.Takaichi wins big in Japan’s elections, and President Trump unveils a new ‘Board of Peace.’Retired Marine Colonel Grant Newsham joins us to break down what these moves could mean for global politics and China’s reaction: “You’ve seen so many things come out of the White House—this White House that everyone thinks are impossible—and then something happens. So I’m in the wait-and-see mode, but not willing to dismiss it.”00:00 Intro01:03 Subway Site Caves In, Causing Massive Sinkhole in Shanghai01:50 Is Eileen Gu a Traitor to the US?04:53 Eileen Gu Might Consider Living in China: Lily Tang Williams05:31 China Uses Soft Power to Infiltrate the US07:38 China Benefits From Pro-Beijing Celebrities Abroad09:26 Alysa Liu’s Family Has Been Spied on by CCP11:30 Xinjiang Camp Whistleblower Freed After US Asylum Win17:29 Japan’s Power Shift; China Reacts to Board of Peace | Analysis

Xi’s grip on power is being challenged from within the CCP. Who exactly is in the anti-Xi camp—and why are these forces emerging now? This episode breaks down the CCP’s hidden power blocs: the conservatives, the reformists, and Xi’s shrinking inner circle. We examine how the fallout from moves against Zhang Youxia reshaped the balance inside Zhongnanhai, why the PLA’s silence matters, and how internal rules are being used to restrain Xi Jinping without open confrontation.

A new war study warns the US could lose a conflict with China in just 30 days. Fuel shortages. Missile depletion in a week. Critical logistics failures. While Beijing builds the world’s largest navy and massive missile stockpiles, America’s supply chains and shipbuilding are stretched thin. Here’s what the Heritage Foundation’s “Tidalwave” report reveals—and why the US must prepare now to deter war over Taiwan.

On February 12, workers gathered outside Wuhu Shipyard in Weihai City, Shandong Province, demanding unpaid wages after not receiving salaries for three months. Instead of paying the workers, the company brought in police who violently drove them away and arrested multiple people on the spot.

US President Donald Trump said on Feb.16 he would decide soon on sending more weapons to Taiwan, after Chinese President Xi Jinping warned against potential moveIn a phone call with Trump on Feb 4, Xi had called for “mutual respect” in relations with the US, while also warning Washington over arms sales to the democratically-run island#japan #china #usa #taiwan #trump 0:00 INTRO 2:34 US WEAPONS TO TAIWAN? TRUMP TO DECIDE “SOON”3:47 AS CHINA PULLS BACK, RUSSIA ‘FILLS GAPS’ IN JAPAN TOURISM5:25 ENCIRCLING US MQ-9 DRONES SPOOK CHINA?

00:00 Introduction 00:15 NYC Budget Showdown: Mamdani’s Tax Threat Highlights Deep Fiscal Strains02:53 Germany Faces Sharper Population Decline, Raising Long-Term Fiscal Strains05:46 Japan Commits $36 Billion to US Under Landmark Tariff-Linked Deal

Workers on a street in Shanghai watch as a street collapses near a construction site. LIttle did they know where they were standing wasn’t safe ground…

Where is Zhang Youxia—and why does Beijing need to “produce” him? Weeks after the shock inside the PLA’s top command, officials still won’t say where he is, how he was taken, or which agency is in charge. This episode explains why the silence matters: Xi Jinping’s move crossed long-standing rules, rattled military morale, and split elite factions. With the Two Sessions approaching, pressure is building—turning a missing-general mystery into a regime-level power struggle.

A recent espionage case involving active-duty military personnel has renewed concerns about internal security vulnerabilities in Taiwan. While the investigation is ongoing, the case highlights how modern infiltration rarely relies on a single actor, instead operating through overlapping roles spanning military access, media influence and information networks. Often described as a “fifth column,” these internal risks raise difficult questions for a democratic society under sustained external pressure. How can Taiwan deter infiltration without undermining civil liberties? In this episode, we examine the evolving nature of fifth-column risks, proposed national security law amendments, gray-zone pressure from China, and how Taiwan can strengthen democratic resilience while preserving openness and rule of law.

Taiwan’s armed forces are training with newly acquired US-made Altius-600M loitering munitions, often referred to as suicide drones, looking to bolster the country’s broader asymmetric defense strategy.

The Pentagon recently released a report detailing China’s “National Total War” strategy to overcome the “strong enemy” of the United States.After observing the global response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China is hardening not just its military, but also its economy to survive sanctions and global isolation. We break down the Pentagon’s report covering China’s military buildup, global supply chains, technology, logistics, and political considerations as 2027 fast approaches.

Storytime’s Over: Xi Jinping’s Tall Tales Crumble – And What Comes Next? | Digging into ChinaIn the grand theater of authoritarian rule, as Max Weber warned, legitimacy lives or dies by the stories we tell. China’s saga? Mao’s fiery revolutions birthed endless enemies and chaos; Deng’s pragmatic boom traded ideology for growth, buying decades of buy-in. Jiang and Hu fine-tuned the harmony, but Xi? He revived the struggle—anti-corruption crusades masking purges, prosperity myths masking slumps, zero-COVID victories masking trauma.

Start your morning with The National News Desk as Jan Jeffcoat sits down with China expert and author Gordon Chang to discuss the U.S.-Taiwan trade deal, bringing insight and context to the stories shaping the day.

China just suffered a major setback in the Western Hemisphere.Panama’s Supreme Court ruled that CK Hutchison’s concession to operate key ports at the Panama Canal is unconstitutional—a decision that could weaken Beijing’s strategic foothold at one of the world’s most critical trade chokepoints.Beijing is already threatening retaliation, pausing deals, and increasing inspections on Panamanian goods. But instead of intimidating its neighbors, China’s response may be pushing countries closer to the US—and even toward Taiwan.