Day: December 18, 2025

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 Introduction00:13 Tech War: Huawei’s “Manhattan Project”04:19 Meta’s China Scams Allegations 07:07 Hainan Free Trade Port 09:18 Housing Market Censorship Intensifies

Two Politburo members disappear from key meetings, corruption probes spread through elite circles, and Xi Jinping’s inner camp shows signs of strain. Why are Ma Xingrui and Li Xi suddenly in trouble? Is anti-corruption turning inward? This episode breaks down the signals coming from Beijing — and why many believe Xi’s power is being challenged from within.

The United States is moving forward with its largest ever arms sale to Taiwan—$11.1 billion—aimed at countering Beijing’s growing military threats.Taiwan is making a major change to its combat readiness. Its military can now immediately respond to any sudden attack from China instead of waiting for orders from above.A new report says Meta made billions from fraudulent ads linked to China in 2024. How did Meta manage it?Shen Yun Performing Arts is launching its 2026 global tour, with Europe as its first stop.The Chinese Communist Party has been trying to suppress the group for 20 years. Here’s what a principal dancer said in response: “They’re spending their time and effort to repress us. That means we are doing something very, very right.”The U.S. government has collected one billion dollars in new tariff revenue after closing a key shipping loophole—the so-called de minimis rule. Chinese eCommerce giants like Temu and Shein had been exploiting it to undercut competitors.00:00 Intro01:38 U.S. Approves Largest-Ever Arms Sale for Taiwan03:30 China Could Build a Military Base in Taiwan If Taken05:02 Taiwan Adjusts Defense to Respond to Sudden China Attack06:51 Report: Meta Permitted Fraudulent Ads From China09:20 Meta’s Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp Banned in China14:47 Shen Yun Kicks Off 2026 Tour in Europe15:27 CBP: $1B Collected Since End of De Minimis Loophole16:03 How Temu, Shein Exploited the U.S. De Minimis Rule16:43 Chinese Firms to Pay $7M to Settle DOJ Allegation18:38 Report: China Exploits U.S. Funds to Advance Nuclear Program20:26 Lawmakers Scrutinize Intel Over Its China Ties21:32 Airstrike Kills Four Alleged Narco-Terrorists

This comprehensive strategic assessment examines the unprecedented militarization of space and the three-way competition for orbital dominance between the United States, China, and Russia. Presented in congressional intelligence briefing format, this analysis explores China’s systematic development of anti-satellite weapons, Russia’s deployment of nuclear-powered space platforms, and America’s response through military space doctrine and private sector partnerships with companies like SpaceX. The briefing covers satellite warfare capabilities, lunar resource competition, space-based solar power systems, GPS warfare scenarios, and the integration of artificial intelligence with autonomous space weapons that could trigger conflicts beyond human control. Through detailed examination of Chinese space militarization strategies, Russian asymmetric space warfare doctrine, American space defense challenges, and the emerging threat of orbital debris cascades, this assessment addresses fundamental questions about maintaining space superiority while preventing conflicts that could destroy space-based infrastructure essential for global civilization and determine which nations control Earth’s orbital environment and lunar resources for generations to come.

In today’s show: US State Department Announces US$11.1 Billion Arms Sale to Taiwan China Sends 40 Planes, 8 Ships Near Taiwan as US Arms Deal Announced South Korean Court Sentences 3 Contractors Connected to Taiwan’s Haikun Sub Opposition Parties Aim To Impeach Premier, President for Not Countersigning Bill Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an Submits Reinstatement Papers, Says She’s “Back To Work” Japanese Prime Minister Says Diplomatic Dialogue Door Still Open for China Japan Could Be Panda-less as Loaned Animals Set To Return With No Replacements Lai Proposes Foreign Caregivers Law but Some Parents, Labor Groups Have Doubts📹 Anchor: Yvonne Yang#TaiwanPlus #TaiwanPlusNews #TaiwanNews-

Beijing declared victory.Then reality hit.China just posted a $1 trillion trade surplus, yet key economic indicators are deteriorating across the board — collapsing consumption, falling investment, and a property market still in free fall.So how is this “success” achieved?By manipulating the currency, suppressing wages, and forcing Chinese households to subsidize the rest of the world — hollowing out domestic demand in the process.Using China’s own official data and reporting from the Wall Street Journal, I break down why this model isn’t strength — it’s forced endurance — and why the cracks are now impossible to hide.Watch to the end. The numbers don’t lie.