Day: December 19, 2025

China has intensified its rhetorical campaign against Japan, accusing PM Takaichi Sanae of reviving the wartime militancy of Imperial Japan. Among other narratives, China is now challenging Japan’s sovereignty over the islands of Okinawa, formerly known as Ryukyu. Beijing has simultaneously pushed for Okinawan independence, while promoting a farfetched claim that the islands are historically part of China. Meanwhile, a survey found that trust in Japan was higher than trust in China in all Southeast Asian nations. Why is Beijing focused now on this island chain northeast of Taiwan? Are these claims falling flat? And what did Takaichi actually say about Taiwan that set off China’s latest burst of aggression? In this episode, we discuss Beijing’s propaganda, the history of Okinawa, Takaichi’s remarks, and what it means for the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region. *Recorded on December 19, 2025 at 2pm Taiwan Standard Time Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat Guests:Lai I-chung Prospect Foundation PresidentPeter Mattis The Jamestown Foundation President Chapters:00:00:00 – China Ups Its Anti-Japanese Rhetoric00:01:10 – Why Is Beijing Focusing on Okinawa?00:06:20 – China’s Farfetched Claim to Okinawa00:14:21 – Does China Have a Trust Problem in SE Asia?00:22:26 – What Did Takaichi Really Say About Taiwan?#ChinaJapanRelations #JapanTaiwanRelations #USTaiwanRelations #TakaichiSanae #XiJinping #PeoplesLiberationArmy #PLA #PLANavy #ChinaCoastGuard #IndoPacific #Grayzone #GrayzoneTactics #ChinesePropaganda #ChineseCommunistParty #CCP #PeoplesRepublicofChina #PRC #JapanSelfDefenseForces #JapaneseNavy #Ryukyu #RyukyuIslands #Okinawa #OkinawanIslands #OkinawanIndependence #RyukyuIndependence #Misinformation #Disinformation #JapaneseHistory #ChineseHistory #ASEAN #SoutheastAsia #Trustworthiness #TrustGap #TrustSurvey #TaiwanTalks #TaiwanPlus

China voiced deep concern on Dec. 19 after reports that a senior Japanese security official suggested acquiring nuclear weapons as a deterrent, stressing it was a personal view. The remarks come amid rising Japan-China tensions over Taiwan.00:00 – INTRODUCTION02:44 – JAPAN ‘MUST DO DEEP SOUL-SEARCHING’04:03 – CHINA’S MILITARY BUILD-UP ‘THREATENS’ JAPAN#china #japan #nuclearweapons #regionaltensions #eastasia #taiwan #defence #security #geopolitics #cruxcollabwithcnn

China’s extensive land reclamation campaign on the Spratly Islands created permanent, hardened military bases on seven coral reefs starting in 2013. Discover the true strategic gains of this massive undertaking, which lie less in kinetic firepower and more in achieving unparalleled Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage and robust logistical sustainment. These artificial islands function as critical forward operating bases, allowing the China Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia to refuel and resupply, drastically expanding their operational endurance and enabling a sustained presence in the disputed South China Sea. Recent upgrades (2023–2025) have focused on enhancing Electronic Warfare (EW) systems and ISR radomes, demonstrating a strategy focused on information dominance and contesting the use of the electromagnetic spectrum by others. Furthermore, the bases host infrastructure for permanent Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities, including Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs), Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCMs), and facilities for fighter aircraft, effectively projecting Chinese military power across the disputed waterway.Chapters:00:00 Intro00:20 A Clash At Sea02:02 From Reef to Fortress03:32 The Kill Zone04:48 Grey Zone Warfare06:03 A Hardening Alliance#china #southchinasea #maritimedefense

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 Introduction00:18 US Approves Record Arms Deal For Taiwan03:36 TikTok Sega Finally Concludes 06:57 Promoting ‘Native Police Dogs’08:52 MetaX & China AI Bubble?

Why does Beijing believe it can afford a war over Taiwan? This episode breaks down the debate surrounding Xi Jinping’s decision on war — examining six core reasons the CCP may be willing to risk military conflict, set against five major risks that argue against it. From regime legitimacy and internal power struggles to control of the Taiwan Strait, the analysis ultimately comes down to the numbers: war economics. Using a clear, data-driven framework, it explains how China’s wartime economic model prioritizes regime survival over growth — and why economic collapse alone may not deter Beijing from choosing war.

Made in China toys are telling kids to burn down their houses. Hong Kong is officially dead after Apple Daily’s Jimmy Lai is sentenced. And China attacks the Philippines yet again! That and more on this week’s China news headlines.

Why is it happening all at once? The streets are exploding, and buildings too. What is happening?

Nuclear reactors that use thorium as fuel have many advantages over those that use uranium. Thorium is common and easy to mine, its waste is safer to handle, and the material also can’t be used as easily in weapons. Recently, a team of scientists from China announced a breakthrough in their thorium reactor project – let’s take a look at just what they’ve done and what the rest of the world is doing for developing thorium nuclear reactors.

China Insights delivers sharp, data-driven analysis of China’s politics, economy, and society.We connect the dots behind breaking headlines — from Beijing’s power shifts to global market trends — helping viewers understand the real forces shaping modern China.

Please join the CSIS Defense and Security Department on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 1:00 pm ET, for a virtual discussion with David R. Shedd, former Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), on his new book, The Great Heist: China’s Epic Campaign to Steal America’s Secrets. The book examines how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has carried out one of the largest-scale thefts of intellectual property, technology, and data in history.Mr. Shedd will sit down with Dr. Seth G. Jones, president of the Defense and Security Department, to discuss how China has carried out the biggest illegal transfer of capital, technology, and data in history over the past 30 years. They will discuss how the Chinese government-backed espionage to clone and steal American technology and economic power across many industries, including military equipment, microchips, and telecommunications.

In this video, I explain why calling Taiwan an “internal Chinese issue” isn’t neutral, isn’t diplomatic, and definitely isn’t about peace. It’s the most dangerous narrative in geopolitics today — one that quietly removes the legal, political, and alliance barriers preventing a war.This isn’t about provocation. It’s about framing. And once the framing is lost, the timing of war becomes a scheduling decision.

Gatestone Institute senior fellow Gordon Chang discusses China’s military moves near Taiwan, its 700% A.I. IPO surge, and new demands in the Panama Canal port negotiations as U.S.–China tensions intensify. #foxbusiness #morningswithmaria

China desperately tries to counter American tariffs and it’s not going very well for them!