Day: October 21, 2025

China’s Fourth Plenum is underway — and it may decide Xi Jinping’s political fate. Behind closed doors in Beijing, the Party’s top leaders are meeting to chart China’s next five years — and possibly plan Xi’s exit. State media has gone silent, nine generals have been purged, and rumors of a quiet coup are spreading fast. In this episode, we break down what’s really happening inside the 4th Plenum — the strange split in China’s propaganda machine, the military’s growing role, and the hidden signs that Xi’s rule may be nearing its end. The meeting that decides Xi’s fate has already begun.

The Rise of the Breathing Tax: China’s New Population-Based Revenue | Digging into ChinaSince 2022, China’s land sale revenue has plummeted, dropping from 7.8 trillion yuan in 2019 to a projected 2.26 trillion yuan in 2025, a 71% decline. This collapse, driven by a faltering real estate market and mortgage defaults, has crippled local government finances. Unable to rely on central government subsidies, authorities are shifting to population-based revenue, combining poll taxes via mandatory social security contributions with personal income taxes. Enforced through the hukou system, this “breathing tax” ensures stable revenue but reduces household income, stifling consumption and potentially suppressing population growth. Historically, China moved away from poll taxes through reforms like the Tang Dynasty’s Two-Tax System and Qing Dynasty’s abolition of population-based levies, which spurred population booms. The return of poll taxes signals an economic regression, threatening long-term stability.

China is preparing to start a war. And it could end up being World War III.

00:00 Introduction00:12 Chinese Economy: Q3 Numbers06:28 Trade War Updates10:40 Rare Earths, AUKUS & US-Australia Alliance

Taiwan’s defense minister says delivery of 66 F-16 fighter jets from the US faces delays. It comes as US and Taiwanese officials are discussing a possible partnership on Taiwan’s recently announced “T-Dome” air defense system.

The political leadership in China is meeting to outline the country’s next five-year plan.The closed-door gathering, known as the Fourth Plenum, will last five days.The new plan is expected to focus on economic security and technological innovation.There are also expectations of a major shake-up within President Xi Jinping’s inner circle.The meeting comes at a time of heightened trade tensions between Washington and Beijing and ahead of a possible meeting between Xi and US President Donald Trump.Despite growth in industrial production and international trade, China’s economic growth has slowed to its lowest point this year, mainly due to weak retail sales.Al Jazeera’s Katrina Yu has the latest updates.

As the CCP’s Fourth Plenum looms, Beijing is on edge. Within 24 hours, China’s political storm could erupt into open confrontation. Nine of Xi Jinping’s top generals—his most loyal allies—have already been purged in what’s being called the biggest military shake-up since Mao, with 28 more reportedly on the way. Behind the scenes, Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia is said to be leading a counter-move to block Xi’s comeback and prevent a civil war inside the regime. As the Party’s propaganda system and the military openly contradict each other, China’s leadership crisis is approaching a dangerous tipping point.My new video on Lei’s Looking Glass: • The hollow earth mystery: From Admiral Byr…

China and Russia are opening up new trading routes through the Arctic, saving shipping companies millions of dollars in fuel costs and crew time.These efforts also mean huge gains in expertise in icebreaking, meteorology, climate research, mapping, and navigation.The Arctic also contains vast amounts of energy and miners, mostly in the Russian north.The Ice Silk Route is an important trade artery, providing both Russia and China a sanctions- and blockade-proof channel for energy and manufactured goods.Western shipping firms believe that the Northern Route, mostly controlled by Russia, is too risky, irrespective of the cost savings or the geostrategic advantages.Closing scene, Yardang Landform, Gansu

In today’s show: Trump says China ‘Doesn’t Want to Invade Taiwan’ at US-Australia Rare Earths Deal Signing Taiwan Defense Ministry Warns of Delays for US Fighter Jet Deliveries Taiwan’s Interior Ministry Detains Celebrities for Dodging Compulsory Military Service Japan Confirms Takaichi Sanae as Country’s First Female Prime Minister Europe Closes In On US$180B Ukraine Aid Package, Paid By Frozen Russian Assets US VP Vance in Israel To Shore Up Gaza War Truce, Despite Recent Violent Flare Ups Beijing Says Chinese Economy On Track Despite Weakest Growth in Years Amazon Says Domain Name Server Malfunction Caused AWS Outage, Not Cyberattacks📹 Anchor: Laurel Stewart#TaiwanPlus #TaiwanPlusNews #TaiwanNews-

Chinese President Xi Jinping presides over the latest Communist Party Plenum, shaping the political and economic direction of the country.Watch the full report for highlights of the plenum, key policy decisions, party resolutions, and expert analysis on what this means for China and the world.#XiJinping #ChinaPlenum #CommunistPartyChina #ChinaPolitics #BreakingNews #ChinaNews #GlobalPolitics #PartyPlenum2025 #ChineseGovernment #PoliticalUpdate

Former Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang has been spotted in Beijing for the first time since his sudden removal from office in July 2023. Qin, who vanished from public view amid swirling rumors of scandal and internal party tensions, was reportedly seen attending a music festival in the capital. This surprise sighting is fueling speculation over whether Qin is being quietly rehabilitated — or simply kept out of the spotlight.#qingang #china #wion

China’s middle class found a secret escape hatch — and Japan just sealed it shut.For years, thousands of Chinese nationals abused Japan’s Business Management Visa — setting up fake “companies,” buying access through WeChat brokers, and using Japan’s clean air, free schools, and healthcare as an escape from the CCP’s cage. But as abuse exploded, so did Japan’s patience.Now, under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan has launched a full-scale immigration crackdown — raising visa requirements sixfold and forcing fake “entrepreneurs” to leave. This isn’t just immigration reform. It’s national security.Because when loyalty to the Party crosses borders, it’s not migration — it’s infiltration.Watch as Japan strikes back against exploitation — and redefines what it means to protect democracy in an age of weaponized immigration.

Nationals Leader David Littleproud says Chinese President Xi Jinping laid Australia’s mineral deal with the US “in our lap”.Mr Littleproud told Sky News Australia that the deal was a “goal that we couldn’t miss”.“The reality was China made it very clear about what they intended to do around those critical minerals, and the United States and Trump was in a corner,” he said.“And we’re the ones that have it sitting underneath our feet.”