On February 28, 2026, the U.S. military launched Operation “Epic Fury” against Iran. While the news may have already flooded social media, there is a particularly shocking and humiliating detail worth noting: the U.S. military debuted its “LUCAS” suicide drone in combat.

Source: China Stunned! U.S. Reverse – Engineered Drones Destroy Iran, China’s Knockoffs Are Total Junk!

Japan has received its first F-35B fighter jets from the United States, while also inking a deal to sell 11 Mogami-class frigates to Australia. Just days later, a Chinese Navy destroyer crashed into a Chinese Coast Guard ship while in a reckless pursuit of a Philippine Coast Guard vessel east of Scarborough Shoal. If China had hit the Philippine ship, it would have triggered an international incident. But could it have activated Manila’s Mutual Defense Treaty with Washington? And what impact might this episode have on tensions in the region? In this episode, we discuss the significance of these major arms deals among U.S. allies in light of China’s rising maritime aggression.

Source: Philippines Outsmarts China as Chinese Ships Collide Amid Marcos Taiwan Row | Taiwan Talks EP686

Why is Beijing suddenly trying to help unmarried PLA soldiers find wives in remote frontier regions? A new policy jointly issued by six major Party and military organizations suggests this is more than simple matchmaking. In this program, we look at the disturbing historical precedent behind the policy. In the early 1950s, thousands of young women were recruited and sent to Xinjiang in what later became known as the “Eight Thousand Hunan Girls to the Tianshan Mountains.” Many were forced into marriages with soldiers to stabilize China’s western frontier. Is Xi Jinping reviving the same loyalty-through-family strategy today?

Source: Xi’s Military Marriage Plan Has a Dark CCP Precedent

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 00:10 China & Iran 05:21 Chinese Economy: Land 08:07 “OpenClaw” Frenzy

Source: China’s Entire System Threatened By Middle East Crisis | China’s Economy: Land Woes | OpenClaw

Taiwan last year had 370,000 more women than men, as more girls are being born than boys and women continue to outlive men.

Source: Taiwan’s Gender Imbalance Grows as Population Shrinks｜TaiwanPlus News

China’s “Two Sessions,” the country’s largest annual political gathering, wrapped up on Thursday. Hsiao Tu-yuan, head of the Institute of China Studies at Tamkang University, discusses some key takeaways from this year’s meetings with TaiwanPlus.

Source: Analysis: Takeaways From China’s ‘Two Sessions’ This Year｜TaiwanPlus News

The US has launched a new trade investigation into Taiwan under Section 301. This is part of the Trump administration’s push to rebuild tariffs after the Supreme Court struck them down in February. The probe targets 16 economies, with Taiwan under scrutiny for its large trade surplus with the US.

Source: Trump Targets Taiwan in New Section 301 Trade Investigation｜TaiwanPlus News

The US military campaign against Iran has rapidly degraded Tehran’s air defenses, missile forces and naval capabilities. In a matter of days, these precision strikes and submarine attacks have reshaped the geopolitics of the Middle East and demonstrated the US’ overwhelming military prowess. Yet the operation raises broader strategic questions: How vulnerable are authoritarian regimes that rely on similar weapons and defense strategies? And what lessons are being drawn in Beijing and other Indo-Pacific capitals? In this episode, we discuss the US-Iran conflict, the performance of Iranian and Chinese-supplied military equipment, and what this conflict reveals about modern warfare and deterrence in an increasingly unstable global order. *Recorded on March 11, 2026 at 3pm Taiwan Standard Time Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat Consultant: Max Yu Research Assistant: Ryan Pham Our guests: Tony Hu Former US Department of Defense Senior Director for China, Taiwan and Mongolia Malcolm Davis Australian Strategic Policy Institute Senior Analyst Chapters: 00:00:00 – China’s Lessons From Iran War 00:03:08 – Trump Warns Iran Against Blockade 00:08:37 – China and Iran’s Hidden Missile Infrastructure 00:16:41 – Expert: Iran Won’t Deplete Asia Stockpiles 00:24:11 – Iran war and latest drone tech

Source: Iran War: What China Is Learning | Taiwan Talks EP792

US–Israel strikes on Iran have placed China in a difficult strategic position. Tehran is one of Beijing’s most important oil suppliers and a key geopolitical partner, alongside Venezuela, in China’s global network of allies. With both countries facing instability, questions are emerging about China’s energy security, the reliability of its partnerships and the credibility of its military exports. Beijing has condemned the attacks but so far limited its response to diplomatic statements. What does this crisis reveal about China’s global influence—and its vulnerabilities? In this episode, we examine China’s stake in Iran, the risks to its energy supply and economic stability, and whether setbacks for Beijing’s partners could reshape China’s strategy at home and abroad.

Source: China’s Iran Problem: Energy, Allies and the Risks of Regime Change | Taiwan Talks EP790

00:00 Introduction 00:18 China’s Economy: Exports & Unrest Boom 08:01 Japan Tensions: Premier Cho Visit 09:54 China & The Iran War

Source: Unrest Explodes In China and Beijing Is Worried | Iran & China | China’s Economy

A deputy minister of Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council says a recent drop in Chinese military aircraft activity around Taiwan could be due in part to an upcoming meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Donald Trump.

Source: Official: China May Be Easing Military Pressure on Taiwan Due to Trump – Xi Summit｜TaiwanPlus News

A comment addressing widespread concerns: The Pentagon’s No. 3 official says the strikes on Iran The U.S.-Israel-led military campaign against Iran has some analysts worried it could drain ammunition and missile stockpiles needed to deter China’s ambitions over Taiwan. Does Operation ‘Epic Fury’ compromise U.S. Deterrence in the Pacific? Ramping up internet censors, checking loyalty of military personnel, and multiple secret meetings. An insider account on how U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran have Beijing afraid of losing its own grip on power. $100-million dollars in Venezuelan gold has arrived in the United States. But it’s about more than gold. Washington is looking to secure Venezuela’s rare minerals and counter Beijing’s influence in critical resources. Politically connected elites in China have been hiring women in America as surrogate mothers to bear their children—children who can later vote in U.S. elections. More on China’s exploitation of birth tourism in the United States. 00:00 Intro 01:12 Does ‘epic Fury’ Weaken U.s. Deterrence in Indo-pacific? 03:45 Insider: Beijing Afraid Iran Strikes Will Spur Uprising 05:45 $100M in Venezuelan Gold Arrives as U.S. Targets Rare Minerals 07:02 Global Arms Trade Surges Amid Rising China, Russia Tensions: Report 08:26 Lawmakers Raise Concerns About CCP-Backed Student Group 10:16 CCP Exploits Birth Tourism in U.S. on ‘Industrial’ Scale 15:57 Trump’s ‘shield of the Americas’ to Counter China

Source: Does ‘Epic Fury’ Weaken US Deterrence in the Indo – Pacific? | China in Focus

China’s annual Two Sessions are usually tightly scripted political theater. But this year, observers noticed a series of unusual moments in Beijing. Security around Tiananmen Square reached extraordinary levels. Snowfall on the opening day forced guards to inspect the ground itself. A “living fossil” Party elder died just hours after the meetings began. Xi Jinping was shown sitting off the main stage — something state media rarely displays. Wang Huning made a puzzling gesture. Premier Li Qiang skipped a politically sensitive line in his speech. And inside the PLA delegation meeting, Xi delivered a pointed warning about loyalty. Individually, these moments may seem minor. Together, they raise a bigger question: are subtle political signals emerging inside Beijing?

Source: Inside China’s Two Sessions: The Signals Political Insiders Are Watching

The U.S. military’s “Epic Fury Operation” has unfolded, and people are suddenly realizing that this is not just a war against Iran but a meticulously designed strangulation plan tailored for the Chinese Communist Party! What’s shocking is that the progress of this plan has far exceeded expectations. As the war continues, the full range of strikes displayed by the U.S. military has left China’s top officials terrified. The U.S. may soon crush the Chinese regime without even needing to launch a war. The most pressing issue now lies in front of China’s military and leadership. Let’s break it down.

Source: US Unleashes Massive Strike Power, Pinpoints China’s Rocket Bases, Ready to Annihilate CCP

Officials in Taipei says a new embankment along eastern Taiwan’s Matai’an river, which overflowed and led to deadly flooding last year, will soon wrap up the first stage of construction in April. Some local market vendors are also back in business.

Source: Disaster – Hit Guangfu Flood Prevention Work on Schedule｜TaiwanPlus News

Source: Britain Belongs to China – CCP Spies Run Rampant!

Xi Jinping’s sweeping purges inside China’s military are accelerating. Top generals are disappearing, corruption probes are spreading, and loyalty to Xi now matters more than battlefield readiness. But these purges could weaken the very military Xi wants ready for conflict. What’s really happening inside the Chinese Communist Party—and why is the PLA leadership suddenly vanishing?

Source: Iran Falls, Xi Jining Goes NUCLEAR On His Military

On March 6, the Israeli military reported that around 50 Israeli Air Force jets flew in the morning, dropping approximately 100 bombs. These strikes destroyed the “underground command bunker” previously used by Iran’s late Supreme Leader, Khamenei.

Source: US B – 52 Strikes Iran’s Underground Missile Base, Xi’s Doomsday Bunker Turns Into Dictator’s Tomb!

More than 115 million views on four Chinese-language recruitment videos released by the CIA have triggered intense discussion about loyalty inside the Chinese Communist Party. Who is watching these videos—and why? At the same time, Beijing is reportedly investigating a senior aide accused of being a double agent, while new internal orders require officials to report overseas family connections. Even the family of top ideologue Wang Huning has reportedly been moved under tight supervision. Is Xi Jinping launching a new loyalty purge? And does the surge in views signal growing uncertainty inside China’s political system? Tonight we examine whether Beijing is facing a quiet defection crisis.

Source: 115 Million Views Later: Is Beijing Facing a Defection Crisis?

Pastor Bob Fu was a student leader during the 1989 Tiananmen democracy movement and later led an underground Chinese house church. In 1996, he was imprisoned for “illegal evangelism.” He later fled China and came to the United States, where he founded ChinaAid, a Christian human‑rights organization that documents cases of persecution, provides legal aid, and advocates for religious freedom in China. In this episode, we dive into the escalation of religious persecution in recent years in China, including the growing dehumanization of Christians. Echoing Mao Zedong’s targeting of “five black classes” during the Cultural Revolution, in 2012, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders labelled Christian underground churches as one of five new “black classes” or black categories. Fu says that the CCP’s leadership is determined to destroy the positive image that Chinese people have of Christian believers. “Xi Jinping wants to play God,” Fu says. “The Communist Party treats these people as a threat to the regime’s existence. The goal is to eradicate Christian faith from the map of China.” We also discuss a case now at the Supreme Court, Cisco v. Doe, which could have important repercussions for American companies that enable China’s human rights atrocities.

Source: Xi Jinping Wants to Replace Jesus | Pastor Bob Fu

Insider sources suggest China was caught off guard by the U.S.–Israeli strike that killed Iran’s Islamic leader. We examine what Beijing expected from the operation and how its calculations were different from reality. Israel’s air force struck the building of the Iranian body in charge of appointing the supreme leader. We hear from an expert who says the move could be rattling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping. Groups in the United States linked to the CCP appear to be organizing protests to sway public opinion against the strikes on Iran. Here’s how the conflict could put China in an economic stranglehold. The CCP’s most important annual political meetings are underway in Beijing. Meanwhile, the regime is ramping up its suppression of human rights activists and protesters. 00:00 Intro 01:07 China Misjudged US–Israel Operations in Iran 02:51 Expert: Strike on Iran Sends China’s Xi Into Panic 04:23 China Stops Sending Planes Toward Taiwan for a Week 04:49 CCP-Linked Groups Stage Anti-War Protests 06:00 Experts Warn of Grim Economic Outlook for China 07:20 Beijing Tightens Grip on Activists During Major Meetings 07:43 Gold Investment Scandal Sparks Protest 08:08 Vaccine Victim’s Father Warned Not to Post Online 08:45 Rights Activist Missing After Hospital Standoff 09:18 Activist’s Home Demolished While She Was in Prison 10:27 Jimmy Lai Won’t Appeal 20-Year Sentence 11:22 How Iran War Impacts China, Its Interests in Mideast 11:36 US Forces Seen Upholding Law, China Reframes Narrative 12:49 China Exploits US Divisions: Waller 13:51 Iran Conflict Could Deepen China’s Economic Woes 15:51 Cuba’s Collapse Seen as Setback for China 16:44 US Moves to Counter China’s Influence in Latin America 18:48 Iran War Gives Trump Leverage Ahead of China Trip

Source: China Miscalculated U.S. – Israel Strikes on Iran: Insider Sources | China in Focus

00:00 Introduction 00:36 Middle East War Puts China’s Strategy at Risk 07:52 Global Tech War: H200 Sales 09:18 Germany-China: Merz Trip Aftermath

Source: Iran War Has China In Big Trouble | Global Tech War | Germany – China

The US Navy is in deep trouble. China builds 200 ships for every one America makes, and the shipyards that used to power this country’s maritime dominance are rusting relics of a previous era. Anduril, the defense tech company founded by Palmer Luckey, thinks it has an answer, albeit one without any sailors. We got on a boat in Quincy, Massachusetts to watch the Dive LD, Anduril’s autonomous submarine, slip beneath the surface of Massachusetts Bay and map the ocean floor entirely on its own. No crew. No remote control. Just a robot doing its thing while we watched on a screen. This is a story about what it looks like when a Silicon Valley-style startup tries to rebuild American military hardware from scratch. We go inside Anduril’s maritime operation, see the Lattice software that ties all of their autonomous systems together, and learn about the Dive XL, the larger, more secretive sibling developed alongside the Royal Australian Navy for missions nobody will fully describe to us. This is Part Two of our tech journey through New England. Catch the first episode here – • How Science Made Coffee Pods Worth Drinking Our host Ashlee Vance is a journalist, author, and filmmaker best known for his New York Times bestselling books, including the biography of Elon Musk and When The Heavens Went on Sale. He spent years at Bloomberg Businessweek covering Silicon Valley, space, and the people building the future, where he also created and hosted the Emmy-nominated series Hello World. His documentary work includes Wild Wild Space for HBO and Don’t Die for Netflix. Now he runs Core Memory, a media company telling stories about scientists, inventors, and startups changing the world—from biotech labs to factory floors to the edge of space.

Source: This Is Anduril’s Attempt To Fix The US Navy

For twenty years, I’ve investigated a crime almost too horrific to name—now documented in my new book: “Killed to Order: China’s Organ Harvesting Industry and the True Nature of America’s Biggest Adversary.” In America and other free countries, patients wait months or even years for an organ. But in China, transplant wait lists are measured in weeks—or even days. In this episode, the tables are turned, and I’m in the guest seat this time. I invited my good friend, actor and comedian Rob Schneider, who has become deeply personally invested in this issue, to be the guest host for this special episode. This is the dark reality: When someone decides to go to China and pay a hefty sum for a scheduled transplant, then on the other side, an incarcerated prisoner of conscience, who has already been blood-typed and tissue-typed, is likely being killed to order. China’s transplant industry began its exponential expansion at the exact same time as the state launched its aggressive, nationwide campaign to eradicate the spiritual practice of Falun Gong. There is growing evidence of Uyghurs being targeted as well. There is even an underground global market for what are called “Halal organs,” which means organs from Muslim donors. And it’s not just wealthy foreigners who travel to China for organ transplants. China’s super elite have access to a secretive longevity program dubbed “Project 981” with eerie ties to this macabre organ industry. This project entered the spotlight last year after the revealing hot mic exchange between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where they talked about extending lifespans in part through repeated organ transplants. American institutions have, wittingly or unwittingly, helped facilitate the rise of China’s transplant system through partnerships with Chinese transplant centers, the training of hundreds of Chinese surgeons, and the supply of China’s organ preservation solutions, surgical instruments, immunosuppressive drugs, and transplant diagnostics. The stories I share in this episode are disturbing, but we cannot afford to look away. Views expressed in this video are opinions of the host and the guest, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.

Source: How the CCP’s Super Elite Stay Alive

After the U.S.-Israeli strike killed Khamenei, Tehran erupted not in fear but in celebration: fireworks, dancing, headscarves torn off, and chants of “I love Trump.” Polls reveal massive rejection—70% oppose the Islamic Republic’s existence, 89% want democracy, support for the Supreme Leader below 11%, and 92% dissatisfied with the regime. Recent protests met brutal crackdowns (thousands killed), internet blackout, and a legitimacy collapse. This mirrors the CCP: ideological rule, parallel armies, economic woes, youth despair, and truth-blocking. Iran’s clerical regime lost ideological and performance legitimacy; China’s relies on economic gains now eroding fast. Reza Pahlavi positions for transition, but power struggles loom among Guard remnants, the regular army, and scattered street forces. Iran’s fall warns Beijing: performance legitimacy expires, and when a regime becomes the people’s enemy, external blows can spark joy, not resistance. Xi should watch closely—dictators rarely are the exception.

Source: When Your Own People Cheer the Bombs: Iran’s Lesson for Xi Jinping | Digging into China

Taiwanese artist Nanarih accepted the Silver Prize for her work “The Nature Chef” at Japan’s International Manga Award ceremony. The comic is about an Indigenous Amis chef during the Japanese occupation of Taiwan.

Source: Taiwanese Artist Wins Silver at Japan Int’l Manga Award | TaiwanPlus News

China’s government has submitted a draft of its 15th Five-Year Plan to its top legislature for review. It lays out Beijing’s key priorities for the next few years.

Source: China’s Next Five – Year Plan Reveals Key Priorities｜TaiwanPlus News

Did Iran’s leadership strike trigger a new wave of fear inside Beijing? As tensions rise, a troubling question may be circulating around Zhongnanhai: who can Xi Jinping still trust? Recent events in the Middle East—and a bold CIA recruitment campaign targeting Chinese officials—have intensified concerns about spies, insiders, and defections within the Communist Party. At the same time, unusual moves inside China’s leadership circle are drawing attention. Reports suggest increased scrutiny around key figures, including ideological strategist Wang Huning, Public Security Minister Wang Xiaohong, and State Security Minister Chen Yixin. In this program, we explore how global shocks and internal suspicion may be fueling a growing spy hunt inside the CCP’s highest ranks.

Source: Did Iran’s Strike Trigger Xi Jinping’s Spy Hunt?

A comment addressing widespread concerns: The Pentagon’s No. 3 official says the strikes on Iran will not drain munitions needed for any Taiwan contingency, and that the United States is still laser-focused on the Indo-Pacific. Iranian air defense systems are made up of Chinese and Russian equipment, and they failed to defend against strikes by Israel and the United States. We take a closer look. To discuss, a former U.S. defense attaché in Beijing and a former assistant secretary of state weigh in. The stage is set for China’s biggest annual political event in Beijing. What’s on the CCP’s 2026–2030 agenda, and what’s in the new five-year plan aimed at competing with the United States? We bring you the highlights. Protests, largely driven by social injustice and financial hardship, continue to break out across China amid a slowing Chinese economy. And in London, a woman holding a banner describing Beijing’s decades-long persecution of her faith, Falun Gong, is brutally assaulted by a male bus driver. She shares her insight into what may be behind the violence. 00:00 Intro 01:18 Pentagon: Iran War Will Not Affect Munitions for Taiwan 02:54 Report: Defense Systems From China, Russia Fail in Iran 05:17 Allies Back U.S. in Warning to China 06:23 China Unlikely to Back Iran Beyond Own Interests 07:48 China’s Oil Dilemma After U.S.-Israeli Strikes on Iran 10:50 Chinese FM: “Indiscriminate Use of Force” Unacceptable 11:39 Spotlight on China’s New Five-Year Plan 12:07 What Are China’s “Two Sessions”? 12:23 China’s 2026 Agenda and Five-Year Plan 14:52 Protests Across China as Beijing Holds Major Event 16:36 CCP’s Annual Meeting to Unveil Tech Race Road Map 19:04 Police Probe Assault on Faith Group Adherent in London 21:55 London Police Arrest 3 on Suspicion of Spying for China

Source: Pentagon: Iran War Will Not Affect Munitions for Taiwan | China in Focus

On March 3rd, a Chinese seafarer was trapped aboard an oil tanker at the Port of Jebel Ali in the UAE, livestreamed a tense situation on his phone.

Source: Xi Jinping in Panic, China Runs Out of Oil! Hundreds of Tankers Trapped in Hormuz, Qatar Cuts Supply

A middle-school dropout from Fujian becomes the mastermind behind one of the world’s largest telecom-fraud empires. Chen Zhi, chairman of Cambodia’s Prince Group, built a vast network of scam compounds across Southeast Asia—laundering billions through crypto while tens of thousands of trafficked workers were forced to run online fraud operations. In 2025, the U.S. Department of Justice indicted him in a sweeping cybercrime case and seized billions in assets. But before he could face a U.S. courtroom, Cambodia abruptly stripped his citizenship and sent him back to China. Why did Beijing move so quickly to reclaim him? The rise and fall of Chen Zhi exposes the darker side of Belt and Road capital, organized crime, and the political protection behind Asia’s scam-park industry.

Source: The Tycoon who is wanted by Both China and the U.S.

Source: WHO Drops Bombshell on Covid Origins

The U.S. Army’s Long-Range Hypersonic Weapon, better known as Dark Eagle, just made its overseas debut at Exercise Talisman Sabre in Australia — and China is not happy about it. Dark Eagle is a new hypersonic missile designed to hit targets more than 1,700 miles away at speeds over Mach 5, giving the Army a way to punch through heavily defended airspace in minutes. After years of development, though, it only has two very recent successful test fires. So why is China so worried about it? From northern Australia, Dark Eagle can put major Chinese outposts in range. Even without a live fire, just showing up in Australia was enough to trigger warnings about destabilization and escalation. Intro – 00:00-01:28 Ad read – 01:28-02:51 What is Dark Eagle? 02:51-06:24 Test record – 06:24-08:02 Why Australia and hypocrisy – 08:02-10:10 Cold War – 10:10-12:48 Strategic Problem – 12:48-15:00 China’s Defenses – 15:00-16:47 What now? – 16:47-End

Source: What is the Army’s Dark Eagle — and why is China worried?

Iran’s decapitation after a massive U.S.–Israel strike is sending shockwaves far beyond the Middle East — all the way to Zhongnanhai. With President Trump’s visit to Beijing just weeks away, the timing has major strategic implications. From China’s oil dependence on Iran to broader geopolitical alignments with Russia, Tehran’s crisis could reshape U.S.–China calculations. Is this just a regional conflict or a warning to authoritarian powers? We break down the strategic, economic, and psychological impact of Iran’s decapitation on global dynamics.

Source: Iran’s Decapitation Sends Shockwaves to Zhongnanhai