Day: February 7, 2025

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council has denied entry to a second Shanghai delegation to the Taipei Lantern Festival, marking the first time in eight years that all official-level representatives have been rejected from attending the event. Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an has criticized the decision, stressing the need for cross-strait exchanges.

Huawei’s leading position in the smartphone market has relied on stealing chips for survival. Chinese AI company DeepSeek may also have to resort to chip theft to stay afloat.On January 30, a Tokyo-based computer parts store announced the sale of Nvidia’s “GeForce RTX5090” graphics cards in limited quantities, with prices ranging from 200,000 to 580,000 yen. This announcement attracted a line of over a hundred people.

Taiwan’s defense ministry says 27 Chinese aircraft, six naval vessels and an official ship were seen operating around Taiwan in a 24-hour period. The ministry says 23 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.

Dragon TV: There has been extensive opposition from the international community to U.S. President Trump’s proposal to “clear out” and take over Gaza. What is China’s comment?Guo Jiakun: Gaza belongs to the Palestinian people. It is an inalienable part of the territory of Palestine, not a bargaining chip for political games, still less a prey of the strong. The war has already left Gaza in devastation and suffering. The international community, major countries in particular, should join hands to make Gaza better, rather than worse, by providing humanitarian assistance and helping with its reconstruction. China firmly supports the legitimate national rights of the Palestinian people, believes that “the Palestinians governing Palestine” is an important principle that must be upheld in the post-conflict governance of Gaza, and opposes the forced displacement of the people of Gaza. China stands ready to work with the rest of the world for the realization of the two-State solution as the fundamental way forward, and for an early, just political settlement of the Palestinian question, namely, the establishment of an independent State of Palestine that enjoys full sovereignty based on the 1967 border and with east Jerusalem as its capital. AFP: The U.S. said on Wednesday that its government vessels would sail for free through the Panama Canal following heavy pressure from President Donald Trump. But authorities at the waterway have swiftly issued a denial and said that no agreement had been reached. Does China have a comment on this?Guo Jiakun: On the Panama Canal issue, China made clear its position more than once. China, as always, respects Panama’s sovereignty over the Canal and recognizes it as a permanently neutral international waterway. We respect the government of Panama’s management and operation of the Canal. Never ever has China interfered. __________________

Beijing’s spy agency is secretly building a network with China-controlled nonprofits in the United States, and linking them with Chinese courts and policing departments.The Pentagon says Panama will back off from its infrastructure deal with China and work more closely with the United States. But has the country agreed to let U.S. warships pass through the canal for free? We have more on what both sides are saying.The Treasury Department dishes out new sanctions on an international network for moving oil shipments from Iran to China. The action comes just two days after President Donald Trump promised to restore maximum pressure on Iran.China sends a complaint to the World Trade Organization about Trump’s new tariffs. But does the move carry any weight?00:00 Intro01:50 Rpt: China’s Shadow Justice System Poses Severe Concerns07:03 Panama Denies Deal for Free Canal Transit for US Navy09:16 Treasury Sanctions Network Selling Iranian Oil to China10:14 China Challenges Trump Tariffs at WTO12:02 Vance: Religious Freedom a Priority for Trump Admin15:15 Bessent: CCP Funds Military with Financial Surplus10:05 EU Proposes New Curbs on Chinese Shopping Sites

China’s military-industrial sector is undergoing an unprecedented purge following the Rocket Force corruption scandal, affecting nuclear, aerospace, aviation, shipbuilding, and military electronics industries. Over 20 senior executives from ten major defense SOEs have been removed, gone missing, or detained by the Commission of Discipline Inspection. The crackdown has even reached China’s largest military electronics firm, with the deputy GM He arrested. Meanwhile, PLA’s weapon quality concerns have surfaced in the new Military Equipment R&D Regulations, set to take effect March 1. Today, I’ll break down this sweeping purge and share insights from a former Chinese defense contractor.