China is flooding again—and fears about the Three Gorges Dam are returning. But the dam may have unleashed more than an engineering crisis. From a severed “dragon vein” to the repeated downfall of Chongqing’s police chiefs and political leaders, this program explores why the city associated with the Three Gorges has become known as China’s “political Bermuda Triangle”—and whether the so-called Chongqing curse is more than a legend, but a political killing field.

Source: Did the Three Gorges Dam Unleash China’s Political Bermuda Triangle?

From maritime clashes to a potential fall summit: Secretary of State Marco Rubio lands in the Philippines with a firm message for China that America is staying focused on the Pacific. President Donald Trump is taking aim at U.S. reliance on China. The Pentagon is rolling out tougher rules for defense supply chains. We’ll break down what’s in the order. Harvard University is under investigation. The Justice Department says the Ivy League school may be providing financial aid to foreign students, presumably from China, at the expense of American students. In the space race between the United States and China, NASA’s Artemis III mission is moving forward despite an explosion in May. This year marks the 27th anniversary of the start of the deadly persecution of the Falun Gong meditation practice in China. We spoke with Steve Lance, host of NTD’s Capitol Report and executive producer of the award-winning documentary “Unbroken: The Untold Story of Shen Yun.” Rubio Pushes Back on China’s Influence in Southeast Asia Rubio to Meet China’s Wang Yi Amid Escalating Tensions U.S. Condemns China’s Actions Against Philippine Navy Trump Tightens Defense Supply Chain Rules DOJ Probes Harvard’s Financial Aid Practices New State Department Report Describes Cuban Infiltration in U.S. Report: Cuba Recruits American University Students as Agents Cuban Regime’s Strategic Partnerships With China, Russia U.S. Imposes 50 Percent Tariffs on $20 Billion of Canadian Goods Trump Administration to Unveil Forced Labor Trade Action NASA’s Artemis III Mission Still on Track for 2027 2026 Rally to End Persecution of Falun Dafa

Source: U.S. Pushes Back on China’s Influence in Southeast Asia | China in Focus

In today’s show: Opposition Politicians Question Government’s Role In Contaminated Oil Scandal Mountain Barrier Lake in Eastern Taiwan Still On Brink of Flooding TSMC Expands US Investment As Taiwan Defends Tech Leadership Global Tech Stocks Slide On China AI Competition Analysis: How Frontier AI Models Reshape US-China Tech Race US Expresses “Deep Concern” Over Papua New Guinea Closing Taiwan Office 3D-Printed Recycled Structures Help Support Coral Growth in Penghu

Source: Politicians Push for Action in Cooking Oil Scandal – July 18, 2026｜TaiwanPlus News

Ten years after the landmark South China Sea arbitration ruling, its biggest legacy may not be the legal defeat of China’s Nine-Dash Line claim but what Beijing’s response revealed about its strategic ambitions. Speaking to StratNewsGlobal, Philippine strategic affairs expert Dr Renato Cruz de Castro argues that China’s refusal to recognise the 2016 Permanent Court of Arbitration award fundamentally changed how countries across the Indo-Pacific viewed its rise. “The ruling revealed to us what kind of a great power China would be,” he says, arguing that Beijing demonstrated its willingness to ignore international law in pursuit of broader geopolitical objectives. According to de Castro, China’s ambitions extend beyond the South China Sea to controlling the First Island Chain and eventually replacing the United States as the region’s principal maritime power. He believes Japan, Australia, the United States, the European Union and India have all adjusted their strategic outlook in response. For the Philippines, the turning point came after years of attempting accommodation with Beijing. “Whether you appease or challenge China, you will get the same result—subjugation and expansion,” he says. De Castro also highlights India’s growing importance in regional security, describing the BrahMos missile sale as a significant step in strengthening Philippine deterrence. Looking ahead, he argues that New Delhi and Manila should deepen cooperation beyond defence trade into a broader security partnership to counter coercion, influence operations and what he describes as China’s continuing regional expansion.

Source: ‘The Ruling Revealed China’s True Intentions’ | | The Gist

Taiwan’s top economic think tank, TIER, forecasts GDP growth of over 10% in 2026, driven by strong exports and the ongoing AI boom. Economy Minister Kung Ming-hsin says Taiwan is expanding global cooperation in AI, semiconductors and other “non-red” supply chains.

Source: TIER: Taiwan GDP Expected To Grow Over 10% in 2026｜TaiwanPlus News

There’s one place in America where Chinese nationals can enter without a visa. It’s called the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), a U.S. territory in the Pacific, right by Guam. And it has become a major security loophole for Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence operations as well as Chinese organized crime and birth tourism ventures, said Cleo Paskal, a senior fellow at the Compass Institute. Yet there has been little political will in Washington to close this loophole, Paskal argues. In this episode, Paskal breaks down the CCP’s aggressive influence and gray-zone warfare operations in this region—areas critical to U.S. defense in any Taiwan conflict—and why this matters for U.S. security. Every U.S. president who served in the Pacific theater in World War II understood that the security of the American mainland depends on a secure Pacific perimeter, Paskal said. As such, in addition to two U.S. territories in the region, the United States has maintained Compacts of Free Association with Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands since the end of World War II. These treaties give the U.S. military exclusive defense and strategic access to these countries in exchange for U.S. security guarantees and economic support. But the Chinese Communist Party has sought to aggressively expand its influence in these islands through pressure, gray zone warfare, and disinformation campaigns. Amid all this, U.S. funding for these compacts nearly lapsed in recent years, because many in Washington apparently have forgotten their importance. In this episode, Paskal walks me through a key question: if the security of America’s mainland has always depended on control of the central Pacific, what consequences will we pay now that so few Americans know these islands—or their citizens—even exist?

Source: Beijing’s Hidden Strategy to Place Assets inside American Territory | Cleo Paskal

When you think of naval powers, North Korea probably isn’t at the top of your list…and frankly given the state of their naval forces for the last seventy years it shouldn’t be. But now the DPRK apparently has ambitions to nuclear-armed, Blue Water navy status, and it’s pouring funding into subs and surface combatants to try and get there. So today, let’s talk about North Korea’s weird new navy.

Source: North Korea’s Weird New Navy – New Destroyers & A North Korean Blue Water Navy?

Source: President Trump Delivers an Address to the Nation, Jul. 16, 2026

Millions of Chinese families believed they were doing everything right. Yet today, some young college graduates are sharing a single bed with complete strangers because they can’t afford rent. At the same time, a viral online discussion about the “Seven Mistakes That Bankrupt the Middle Class” has sparked a nationwide debate. Were buying a home, starting a business, investing for the future, and raising children really financial mistakes—or did China’s economic reality change? This report examines how collapsing confidence, shrinking opportunities, and a deepening economic downturn are reshaping the lives of China’s middle class and its younger generation.

Source: Why Millions of Chinese Families Are Falling Behind

July 1 is the deadline for the renewal of the $2 trillion U.S.–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA). But the United States has chosen not to renew it, triggering annual reviews between the three countries. What’s at the heart of the issue? America’s AI race with China is heating up. Why is the United States lifting export restrictions on some of its most advanced AI models? Ohio has canceled more than $20 million in tax incentives for a Chinese battery component company after it failed to deliver on its promises. July 1 marks the anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Outside China, it’s also observed by anti-communist Chinese communities as Global Quit the CCP Day. We take a look at how they’re marking the occasion. Beijing is stepping up its global clampdown with a new law that allows the communist regime to target people beyond China’s borders. 00:00 Intro 01:09 USMCA Review Begins as U.S. Presses to Counter China 02:29 USMCA First Review Begins With No Renewal in Sight 03:47 Chinese Battery Firm Loses $23M Ohio Incentives 06:23 Ohio Residents Concerned With Semcorp’s Operations 07:01 Report: CCP Harassment Rising Across U.S. 09:23 U.S. Lifts Anthropic Export Ban Amid AI Race With China 10:30 462 Million Chinese People Denounced CCP 11:05 End CCP Motorcade Rallies Across New York City 11:38Chinese New Yorkers Protest Before Chinese Consulate 11:58China’s Unity Law Expands Global Clampdown 13:22China Sends New Warship Into Pacific, Raising Concerns 14:30 Birthright Citizenship Fight Far From Over 15:16 Expert: 14th Amendment Blocks Birthright Changes 16:20 Expert: Congress Could Test Birthright Law 17:34 Philipp: Beijing Exploits U.S. Birthright Citizenship 18:49 Expert: Easier to Change Laws Than Constitution 🔵Tiffany Meier’s documentary Hollywood Takeover – how Beijing is rewriting the script in America’s film industry: hollywoodtakeover.com

Source: USMCA Closing China Trade Loophole? | China in Focus

For years, Xi Jinping looked untouchable. Then the CCP’s 105th anniversary celebration happened. Hu Jintao’s closest confidant suddenly reappeared. Xi Jinping’s closest allies quietly disappeared. A little-known diplomat appears to have been handed one of China’s most powerful security jobs. Even state media changed the way it portrayed Xi. Are these unrelated events—or signs that a quiet power shift is unfolding inside the Chinese Communist Party? Is Hu Jintao back? Let’s examine the clues one by one.

Source: The CCP’s Anniversary Revealed Something Nobody Expected

Taiwan’s government is condemning a new round of Chinese coast guard patrols east of the island. TaiwanPlus spoke with Ray Powell, founder and executive director of the SeaLight Foundation, about what the latest moves reveal about China’s expanding maritime strategy.

Source: Analysis: China Expands Patrols East of Taiwan｜TaiwanPlus News

The Great Leap Forward (1958–1962) remains history’s deadliest man-made disaster, resulting in an estimated 45 million premature deaths. Driven by Mao Zedong’s obsessive pursuit to economically surpass the West, the Chinese Communist Party implemented a lethal synergy of radical, unscientific policies. The regime coerced local officials into fabricating agricultural outputs, instituted the oppressive People’s Commune system, and orchestrated the violent “Anti-Grain Concealment Campaign” to seize all rural food. Simultaneously, millions of farmers were diverted to primitive backyard steel furnaces, leaving mature harvests to rot in the fields. While a draconian household registration (Hukou) system trapped starving peasants in their villages to prevent escape, the Party leadership in Beijing enjoyed extreme luxury and exported millions of tons of grain to secure foreign political prestige. Ultimately, this peacetime catastrophe demonstrates that unchecked totalitarian dictatorship is far more destructive than conventional warfare.

Source: The Most Lethal Policy in Human History: Inside Mao’s Great Leap | Digging into China

Source: China’s Leading the World in TOFU DREG Infrastructure!

A small civilian aircraft flew through the heart of Beijing and exposed far more than an air-defense failure. The incident may have revealed two of Xi Jinping’s biggest political vulnerabilities: a stalled power struggle inside the PLA surrounding Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli, and a growing security crisis for Xi’s closest ally, Cai Qi. Could one plane have exposed cracks in both Xi’s military control and his inner circle?

Source: How One Plane Exposed Xi Jinping’s Two Biggest Weaknesses

China’s struggle to secure the 2026 FIFA World Cup broadcasting rights may seem like a dispute over price—but it reveals something much bigger. In this video, we examine why CCTV refused FIFA’s asking price, how China’s advertising market has changed, why major Chinese sponsors are pulling back, and what this tells us about the country’s slowing economy. From collapsing real estate to shrinking consumer demand and growing fiscal pressure, the World Cup has become an unexpected window into China’s deeper economic challenges. Is this simply a business decision, or a sign that China’s economic model is facing a new reality?

Source: Why China Couldn’t Afford the World Cup Anymore

President Donald Trump takes aim at communism, responding to New York’s congressional primaries. The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party holds a hearing exposing China’s malign influence on American soil. Beijing is adding another tool to its legal arsenal. A draft law would allow state prosecutors to bring public-interest lawsuits against foreign entities and individuals. Australia announces a $1.75 billion deal to export radar technology to Canada, as NATO allies ramp up efforts to safeguard the Arctic from the Chinese regime. Cheaper or better? The global AI race is heating up as lower-cost Chinese models challenge America’s push to lead the next generation of technology. 00:00 Intro 01:06 Trump Sounds Alarm on Communism 02:14 Trump Calls Progressive Candidates ‘Solid Communists’ 02:45 House Hearing Exposes CCP’s Malign Influence in US 05:08 China Adds Foreign Targets to Public Interest Lawsuits 06:14 FCC Toughens Submarine Communication Cable Rules 07:13 Small Plane Crashes Into Beijing’s Tallest Building 08:07 Australia Ships $1.75 Billion Tech to Canada for Arctic Defense 09:12 Gray: Keeping Greenland Safe Vital to US Security 10;53 Shen Yun Back in Toronto Despite Earlier Hoax Threats 13:37 Chinese Cyber Firm Claims Superior MythOS Rival 14:25 US–China AI Race: The Fight for Global Influence 15:57 Expert Backs Linux to Counter China Cyber Risks 16:12 Concerns Over Data Sharing in Global Tech Ecosystems

Source: Trump Sounds Alarm on Communism; Shen Yun Back in Toronto Despite Earlier Hoax Threats

Is China’s military as strong as it looks? A sweeping new PLA audit—“Sharp Sword–2025”—is tearing open weapons depots, missiles, radars, and supply chains with no warning. Reports point to mismatched inventory, downgraded components, falsified test results, and even training drills that were staged for show. As anti-corruption pressure meets real war-readiness concerns, this inspection is turning into a full-scale purge. What is Beijing really finding—and what does it reveal about the PLA’s true combat capability?

Source: Behind China’s Massive Military Audit and What It Reveals

China is expanding trade pressures on Japan. It announced new export curbs on dozens of Japanese firms amid rising tensions over Taiwan and defense. Oil prices are dropping, peace talks in the Middle East are underway, and uncertainty remains. From preschool to college, China is making artificial intelligence a mandatory subject. Why are top American CEOs ringing alarm bells for U.S. schools? President Donald Trump criticizes communism—what do three young media professionals think about the topic? The Arctic is becoming the northernmost front in countering Russia and China. Europe and Canada are showing Washington that they can help defend the Western world on its northern flank. 00:00 Intro 01:07 China Expands Export Curbs on Japan 02:22 Trump: US–Iran Talks Set for Tuesday in Doha 03:36 Mike Waltz: Iran Faces a Choice 04:20 Israel Strikes Hezbollah Terrorists in Lebanon 05:07 China Expands Nationwide AI Education Across All Grades 07:10 Top US CEOs Push for K–12 AI Classes 07:43Trump: Communism ‘Easy to Sell,’ Ends in Failure 09:06 Why Communism Goes Against Human Nature 10:49 Why Gen Z Is Embracing Socialism 12:49 Trump: Democrats Won’t Confront Communists 14:07 Are Socialists Taking Over the Democratic Party? 16:50 NATO Pledges Arctic Security to Trump 18:37 Russia Rebuilds Arctic Bases Near US 19:33Why the Arctic Matters to All Parties 20:10 Australia, Vanuatu Sign Pact Amid China Concerns

Source: China Expands Export Restrictions on Japan | China in Focus

The Pentagon is facing a new legal challenge. Chinese tech giant Alibaba is suing after being designated a Chinese military company—but the Defense Department isn’t the only target. Here’s how Beijing is weaponizing U.S. courts to silence critics. A new clash in the U.S.–China AI race. Anthropic is accusing Alibaba of a large-scale effort, involving thousands of fake accounts, to steal AI capabilities. A Chinese EV battery maker is demanding millions of dollars from a small Michigan township. How local backlash against a Chinese-owned factory turned into a federal lawsuit. A successful test of the Golden Dome. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth described it as the first milestone test of the missile defense program. Which countries is the Golden Dome primarily defending against? The semiconductor industry is riding the AI boom. South Korean chip workers are reaping the rewards, enjoying high demand in both career and marriage. 00:00 Intro 01:26 Alibaba Sues Pentagon for Chinese Military Designation 02:35 Beijing Weaponizes U.S. Courts to Silence Critics 05:14 Anthropic Accuses Alibaba of Large-Scale AI Theft 06:47 Chinese Battery Firm Seeks $23.7M From Small Michigan Town 08:34 Hegseth Says Golden Dome Test a Success 09:37 U.S. University Program for Communist Elites: Report 10:30 U.S. Snubs China APEC Meeting Over Visa Dispute 11:16 Chip Workers in High Demand at Work and in Marriage 12:41 Semiconductor Industry Lures Top Students From Medicine 14:14 Expert on China Cyber Threats in U.S. Infrastructure 14:31 Experts Warn of Deep Grid Infiltration Risk 15:53 China-Made Parts Raise AI Data Center Concerns 20:16 Expert Warns of Telecom Supply Chain Vulnerabilities

Source: How Beijing Weaponizes U.S. Courts to Silence Critics | China in Focus

Japan is undergoing a historic shift. It is abandoning previous decades of low key diplomacy and deflection and instead pushing back against China’s military narrative more forcefully than at any point in recent years, arguing that Beijing’s lack of transparency — not Tokyo’s defense buildup — is the real threat to regional stability. As Japan raises defense spending, expands security partnerships and eases restrictions on arms exports, China has accused it of reviving militarism. But Japanese officials counter that their policies are openly debated and publicly scrutinized, while China’s true military spending and strategic intentions remain opaque. Is Beijing’s criticism of Japan designed to shift attention away from its own unprecedented military expansion? In this episode, we examine China’s propaganda war, the debate over military transparency and what it means for security across the Indo-Pacific.

Source: Japan Challenges China’s Defense Spending as Tokyo Finally Hits Back | Taiwan Talks EP864

It’s been over six years since the COVID-19 pandemic began, yet much of the scientific establishment still seems unwilling to acknowledge or openly debate where this virus came from. In this episode, Matt Ridley, co-author of “Viral,” breaks down the significance of newly declassified documents released by Homeland Security Secretary Tulsi Gabbard and the evidence of a coordinated cover-up of COVID-19’s origins. Ridley delves into a key paper, “The proximal origin of SARS-CoV-2,” published by Nature Medicine, exposing how the authors themselves believed that a lab leak was a likely possibility while publicly pushing the opposite narrative. Troubling questions arise: Why hasn’t the international community held China accountable for what happened at the Wuhan lab? Why is America so attentive to cybersecurity, but completely blind to biosecurity? And why are there such close ties between Western scientific research and Chinese dual-purpose facilities like the lab in Wuhan? 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: Here’s What They Hid in Wuhan | Matt Ridley

Source: This was Spying on me all Along? A Chinese DJI Drone Almost got me Arrested

Source: Why Trump Flew to China with 18 CEOs

The Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) Exercise 2026 is bringing together 31 nations, more than 25,000 personnel and some of the world’s most advanced naval forces for the largest maritime exercise on the planet. The drills come at a time of growing tensions across the Indo-Pacific, with China excluded from the exercise for a fourth consecutive iteration and Taiwan once again left on the sidelines, despite repeated support from members of the US Congress. At the same time, questions are mounting over how closely the US and Taiwan could actually operate together in a crisis and whether existing military cooperation is enough to close critical interoperability gaps. In this episode, we examine what RIMPAC reveals about deterrence, coalition-building and the evolving state of US-Taiwan defense cooperation.

Source: RIMPAC 2026: Why Are Taiwan and China Absent From World’s Largest Maritime Drills? | Taiwan Talks EP861

Read the full, in-depth analysis on China News Update: https://chinanewsupdate.com/china-new… In today’s video, independent analyst Tony Fiddis breaks down China’s narrowing budget deficit and why Beijing is resisting aggressive stimulus despite a widening gap between thriving high-tech exports and fragile domestic consumer demand. We examine the muted results of the critical “618” shopping festival, the escalating semiconductor friction with Washington, and a high-stakes joint regulatory investigation into infant diaper chemical safety. 🕒 VIDEO TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Introduction 00:11 Chinese Economy Fiscal Space and Holiday Shopping 04:46 US-China: New Restrictions & Smuggling Concerns 09:26 Diaper Scandal

Source: 36% Down: Did China Just Blink? | Diaper Scandal | China’s Economy | US – China

With Chinese leader Xi Jinping repeatedly stating his plans to take Taiwan—by force if necessary—many are wondering: what might such an invasion look like and how prepared is Taiwan to defend itself and withstand such an assault? Enoch Wu is working to tip the balance in Taiwan’s favor. Born in Chicago to Taiwanese parents, he decided to quit his lucrative career as a finance executive in Hong Kong to join Taiwan’s special forces in his early 30s. And he’s since devoted his life to preventing Taiwan from being wiped from the map by its large totalitarian neighbor. In 2020, he founded Forward Alliance to train ordinary Taiwanese in trauma medicine, search and rescue, setting up communication networks, and organizing shelters in a crisis. The group has now trained tens of thousands of ordinary Taiwanese to become de facto first responders through partnerships with local churches, schools, and other community groups. Wu explains his philosophy that while the military acts as a country’s sword, societal resilience acts as a country’s shield. At the heart of our conversation is an urgent message: “The whole point of living in a democratic society,” Wu says, “is that we are all owners, and we have to take responsibility. We can’t treat democracy like a heritage that’s just passed down. You can’t take it as a given. You have to continue to nurture it. You have to invest in it. You have to improve it.” 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: Beijing Wants to Wipe Taiwan Off the Map. This Man Is Making Sure Its People Can Survive | Enoch Wu

No peace talks between the United States and Iran took place on Friday, and no new date has been announced. We have the latest updates. Ukrainian drones have helped repel Russian attacks for years. Now, China’s neighbors—including Taiwan and Japan—are eager to learn from Ukraine’s experience as they prepare to deter a potential conflict. Taiwan is pushing a new bill to invest billions in drone technology to counter China. Meanwhile, Australia is sending drones to the Philippines to strengthen maritime defenses. A historic shift in Cuba. The communist island is opening up to free-market reforms amid severe U.S. sanctions and secret diplomatic talks. Is Havana opening a new chapter—and how will Washington respond? 00:00 Intro 01:04 US-Iran Talks in Switzerland Postponed 03:21 Trump Criticizes Democrats Over Iran Deal Comments 03:55 Strait of Hormuz: Shipping Traffic Recovering 04:23 Israel–Hezbollah Ceasefire Takes Effect in Lebanon 05:04 U.S. Policy Shift: From Obama to Trump 06:53 Gulf Nations Fed Up With Iran Strikes 08:08 Ukrainian Drone Makers Target Taiwan, Japan 10:03 Taiwan Approves $6.7 Billion Domestic Drone Defense Plan 11:20 Australia Donates Drones to Philippine Coast Guard 13:04 Cuba Passes Historic Free-Market Economic Reforms 15:23 Trump: Cuba Operation May Mirror Venezuela 17:11 France Dismantles 9 Chinese Police Outposts 18:08 AI Data Center Boom Drives Solar Power Demand

Source: Taiwan’s $6.7B Drone Defense Plan, Preparing For War | China in Focus

Beijing appears to be increasing its ability to launch nuclear strikes against countries such as the United States. What do satellite images reveal about a mysterious complex taking shape in a desert in the Xinjiang region? Drones are changing the battlefield—not only in the sky, but also at sea. The United States and two allies are working together to strengthen their maritime dominance and counter China. Beijing draws a dangerous new red line, expelling an American reporter over Taiwan. Washington responds in kind, while Taipei condemns Beijing’s tactics. Want to take Chinese technology, talent, or data overseas? Under Beijing’s new outbound investment rules, you’ll need permission first. Military-linked universities in China are pursuing Nvidia’s top AI chips, raising questions about U.S. efforts to control cutting-edge technology exports. China Appears to Boost Nuclear Strike Capability US Launches Golden Dome Missile Shield System US, UK, Australia to Develop Undersea Drones US Racing to Counter China’s Drone Dominance Pentagon Turns to Smaller Firms for Drones Pentagon Seeks 300,000 Low-Cost Attack Drones Security Concerns Over Chinese Drone Parts China, US Expel Each Other’s Reporters Expert: Chinese Outlets in US May Influence Elections Beijing to Lock Down Outbound Tech, Data Flows Rubio: US Must End Reliance on Chinese Supply Chains China Military-Tied Universities Seek Nvidia AI Chips EU to Join US-Led Chip Supply Initiative China Defense Minister No-Show at Asia Summit South Korea, Japan Weigh Military Logistics Deal

Source: China Appears to Boost Nuclear Strike Capability | China in Focus

Source: Taiwan’s emerging drone industry is taking off｜Taiwan News