Month: December 2025

China amasses 100 ships in western Pacific Trump signs Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act Tokyo denies report on missile talks with Manila New stand-off near Senkaku (Diaoyutai) Islands In recent days, China has recently amassed more than 100 military ships across the region, stretching from the Yellow Sea in the north, down through the contested South China Sea, and out into the Pacific. The show of military force comes amid ongoing tensions between China and Japan, following Beijing’s overreaction to Japanese PM Takaichi Sanae’s comments on Taiwan. China’s latest provocations also include a new maritime stand-off near the Japan-controlled Senkaku (Diaoyutai) Islands, as well as propaganda promoting Okinawan independence. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has signed the 2025 Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act to allow for closer ties with Taiwan. Will Tokyo and Washington continue to stand firm against Beijing’s belligerence? And despite Japan’s official denials, could the Philippines potentially receive Japanese-made defensive missiles? In this episode, we discuss China’s latest aggressions, the Japanese and US responses, and whether Beijing’s actions are backfiring. *Recorded on December 5, 2025 at 11am Taiwan Standard Time Host/Senior Producer: Yin KhvatProducer: Chinyeh Chiang Our guests: Grant Newsham US Marine Corps Colonel (Ret.)Titus Chen National Chengchi University Institute of International Relations Research Professor and Deputy DirectorMichale Turton Taipei Times Columnist Chapters:00:00:00 – Are Beijing’s Aggressive Actions Backfiring?00:01:35 – China Amasses Ships, as Trump Signs Taiwan Law00:09:55 – Tokyo Denies Missile Talks with Manila00:17:43 – China, Japan Standoff Near Senkakus00:22:15 – China Boosts Global Misinformation Campaign#ChinaJapanRelations #JapanTaiwanRelations #USTaiwanRelations #TakaichiSanae #XiJinping #DonaldTrump #LaiChingte #PeoplesLiberationArmy #PLA #PLANavy #ChinaCoastGuard #IndoPacific #YellowSea #EastChinaSea #SouthChinaSea #WesternPacific #MilitaryExercise #MilitaryDrill #Grayzone #GrayzoneTactics #ChinesePropaganda #Lawfare #ChineseCommunistParty #CCP #PeoplesRepublicofChina #PRC #JapanSelfDefenseForces #SenkakuIslands #Senkakus #Diaoyutai #JapaneseNavy #TaiwanAssuranceAct #TaiwanAssuranceImplementationAct #TAIA #StateDepartment #JapanPhilippinesRelations #ChuSAMS #SAMs #Missiles #PhilippineMilitary #ArmsSales #WeaponSales #MutualDefense #RyukyuIslands #Okinawa #OkinawanIndependence #Misinformation #Disinformation #TaiwanTalks #TaiwanPlus

Shanghai isn’t “slowing down.”It isn’t “struggling.”It’s being abandoned on purpose — and nobody in the mainstream will tell you why.In today’s video, I break down the chilling truth Beijing can’t admit: the secret military logic behind letting Shanghai rot, the massive westward relocation of strategic assets, and why China’s megaprojects in the mountains were never about “development” — they were preparing for war.If you want the deeper breakdowns, the uncensored analysis, and the things I cannot say openly on YouTube…

A secret PLA recording has surfaced, igniting fresh debate over the Chinese military’s future direction. Is the PLA merely a political tool of the Party—or should it be a true national defense force? This question lies at the heart of longtime arguments made by retired General and princeling heavyweight Liu Yuan. As the PLA undergoes its most brutal internal purge in decades and enters a period of deep instability, the leak of a trial involving a commander who refused to deploy troops against students during the 1989 pro-democracy movement has raised an even bigger question: Is Xi Jinping’s authority inside the military beginning to weaken?

In today’s video, we explore why China’s export model — and its wider economy — now appears to be unravelling, as multiple problems all hit at the same time.The biggest shock came in November, when China’s exports to the United States collapsed by almost 30% following the latest round of American tariffs. This is one of the sharpest declines on record, and it removes China’s most profitable and strategically important customer almost overnight.To keep its factories running, China has been pushing huge volumes of goods into Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America. Overall export numbers look positive, but only because China is flooding global markets with ultra-cheap products that can no longer be sold in America.We break down the broad percentages of where these exports are now going — including the EU’s rapidly growing share — and look at why Europe has suddenly become China’s most important high-income market. But that shift is already creating a political storm, with European leaders warning that their industries are being undermined by a surge of low-price Chinese imports.At the same time, China’s producer prices have been falling for almost three years, squeezing profits and forcing manufacturers to cut prices just to keep goods moving. Sales may be rising, but profits are falling sharply — a key sign of industrial stress.We also examine China’s weak domestic demand, the ongoing property crisis, and the deeper structural issues that mean China can no longer rely on its home market to absorb production. That leaves China dangerously exposed if Europe follows the U.S. in imposing new tariffs.All of these pressures together show why China is unravelling, and why the consequences could be significant not just for China, but for the entire global economy.For specific details please check out the CHAPTER list below. Thanks for watching and please LIKE and SUBSCRIBE.Chapters:0:00 Intro1:58 EXPORTS4:20 PRODUCER PRICES6:14 IMPORTS7:29 RETAIL SALES8:05 INFLATION9:55 SUMMARY & CONCLUSION

Historian Sarah Paine explains how Russia quietly undermined China’s rise — a story of strategy, mistrust, and great-power competition that shaped all of modern Asia.In this episode, we break down the key decisions, historical turning points, and geopolitical forces that defined the Russia–China relationship, and why their rivalry still matters today.From border conflicts to alliances of convenience, this video explains the real dynamics behind two of the world’s most powerful nations — and what their past reveals about the future of global politics.

The document promotes the so-called “community of shared human destiny,” claiming China will “never seek hegemony,” will “maintain nuclear forces at the minimum level necessary for national security,” and “actively promote international legal documents that pledge not to use nuclear weapons first.”This white paper, which appears emotional and peace-loving, should not be considered a genuine peace declaration. Instead, it seems to be a plea directed at the United States and President Trump. While it may appear humble at first glance, it can be interpreted as misleading and manipulative in its intent.

00:00 Introduction00:12 US-China05:13 France-China: Macron Visit09:39 Housing Crisis

There are many ways the CCP tries to take over other countries’ territory. There’s military invasion (Tibet). Political invasion (Hong Kong). Piecemeal land acquisition (Bhutan). And now the CCP’s latest technique has made Indian people FURIOUS.

Several days ago, Japan approved a new round of defense spending. The plan states clearly that Japan will deploy long-range anti-ship missiles across the southwestern islands. The United States and Japan have also been conducting frequent joint military drills in the East China Sea, and their official documents openly identify China as the hypothetical adversary.

For the first time in three years, the US published a National Security Strategy, highlighting that it does not support changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and calls on allies to increase defense spending and cooperation. TaiwanPlus spoke to Globsec Associate Fellow Bryce C. Barros about what that could mean for US policy in Asia.📹 Reporter(s): Justin Wu/Lery Hiciano#TaiwanPlus #TaiwanPlusNews #TaiwanNews #policy #Asia #US #USA #security-

The South China Sea stands at the center of one of the world’s most complex geopolitical tensions, involving major powers, regional nations, and critical global trade routes. This video explores why a Maritime Code of Conduct (COC) is essential for preserving peace, promoting stability, and preventing dangerous confrontations across this highly contested region.A Maritime Code of Conduct provides a structured, rules-based framework that guides how countries interact at sea. With overlapping territorial claims, expansive military presence, and competition over natural resources, a COC becomes a lifeline for diplomacy. It reduces the risk of accidental clashes, enhances communication between naval forces, and ensures fair navigation for commercial vessels.We break down the key benefits of a South China Sea Code of Conduct, including conflict prevention, confidence-building, protection of maritime rights, and safeguarding international trade routes. The video also explores the challenges—such as differing national interests, political tensions, and slow negotiation progress—and what the world stands to gain if the agreement is finalized.Whether you are a student, researcher, policy watcher, or someone interested in global security, this video offers clear insights into why a Maritime Code of Conduct is not just important—but urgent. Understanding these dynamics helps us appreciate how diplomacy can prevent conflict and secure a peaceful future in one of the world’s most vital waterways.This video has been created by AI with human efforts.References:ASEAN statements, UNCLOS guidelines, regional security analyses, academic geopolitical studies.#SouthChinaSea, #MaritimeSecurity, #CodeOfConduct, #Geopolitics, #InternationalRelations, #SouthChinaSeaDispute, #ASEAN, #UNCLOS, #GlobalSecurity, #IndoPacific, #TerritorialDisputes, #NavalSecurity, #WorldPolitics, #PeaceAndStability, #ConflictPrevention, #MaritimeLaw, #TradeRoutes, #Diplomacy, #ChinaSea, #StrategicWaters, #InternationalLaw, #PolicyAnalysis, #GeoStrategy, #AsiaPacific, #SecurityStudies, #MaritimeStrategy, #GlobalAffairs, #PoliticalAnalysis, #SeaPower, #Cooperation,

Beijing is deploying military vessels near Taiwan and Japan—more than 100. It’s Beijing’s most aggressive military flex in the region to date.Taiwan’s president is warning that China is ramping up military aggression toward the island, as satellite images reveal Beijing expanding air and naval sites that could be used in an invasion.U.S. President Donald Trump brokered a peace deal between two African countries, with agreements on critical minerals also signed.U.S. and Chinese officials are discussing moving the Trump-Xi trade agreement forward, as Trade Representative Jamieson Greer says the U.S. should probably trade less with China.Chinese e-commerce giant Temu is facing fresh legal heat in the United States, with Arizona filing a lawsuit alleging that the platform steals user data and deceives shoppers.00:00 Intro01:08 China Deploys 100+ Military Ships, Worrying Taiwan, Japan01:43 Satellite Images: China Gathers Ships Near Taiwan, Japan03:08 Taiwan’s President: China Acting More Aggressively05:58 Trump Brokers Rwanda-Congo Peace, Signs Rare Earths Deal07:39 Greer: U.S. Should Probably Trade Less With China08:55 Arizona Sues Temu for Data Theft, Consumer Deception09:39 DeepSeek AI Has ‘Kill Switch’ for Beijing-Sensitive Topics: Rpt10:27 Accused Chinese Agent’s Adjournment Motion Denied14:30 Lawmakers: Space Dominance Over China Crucial for U.S.17:11 Toxic Mining Threatens Asia’s Rivers, Communities21:05 Macron Finishes China Trip Without Major Trade Deal

China’s military is entering its most turbulent moment in decades. General Zhang Youxia’s secretive visit to Russia, Xi Jinping’s failed attempt to win over Liu Yuan, and the shocking leak of a six-hour Tiananmen trial video have all raised one question: Is the PLA breaking away from Party control? This episode examines Zhang’s mysterious disappearance and reappearance, the dinner trap Xi set for Liu Yuan, and the unprecedented release of the Xu Qinxian trial, which exposed deep cracks inside the Party-army system. What do these events reveal about China’s power struggle and the future of the PLA?

American and European companies say they’ll keep shifting supply chains out of China despite a tariff truce between Washington and Beijing. So what’s behind the move?A European chip manufacturer is warning of imminent shortages for automakers—sparked by a geopolitical clash with China over concerns about Beijing’s control of the supply chain.Linda Sun, a former aide to two New York governors, is back on trial today. New evidence suggests she used her official titles to obtain benefits and business opportunities from Chinese authorities.The number of confirmed dead in Hong Kong’s housing-complex fire has now reached 151. Beijing, fearing protests, has already labeled demonstrators “anti-China.” One man has been arrested.Civilians in Taiwan are stepping up to help the military push back against Beijing. One Taiwanese airline is even offering to conduct surveillance flights on Chinese military activity.00:00 Intro0050:U.S. Firms Leaving China, Despite Tariff Truce03:02 European Firms Move Supply Chains Out of China03:47 Chipmaker’s China Branch Goes Rogue06:40 Prosecutors: Linda Sun Helped Husband Make Money in China09:09 CCP Grants for American Schools in the Spotlight11:00 FBI Director Vows to Hold China Accountable15:02 151 Confirmed Dead, Beijing Warns Against Protests17:23 Two Mainland Chinese Manufacturers in the Spotlight18:01 Taiwanese Airline Offers to Do Surveillance Flights20:53 Students Ask Taiwan President: Will the CCP Attack?

China has just declared the WWII-era San Francisco Peace Treaty between the US and Japan “illegal and invalid”. The problem? China will lose A TON of territory.

Putin arrives in India for Modi meet Indian citizen detained at Shanghai airport China builds drone facility in Tibet US restores foreign aid to Tibetan groups Russian President Vladimir Putin meets Indian President Narendra Modi during his first trip to New Delhi since launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. With Western sanctions biting and Russian troops still dying in large numbers on the frontlines, the Russian leader seeks an economic lifeline from India. Meanwhile, Chinese airport officials in Shanghai temporarily detained an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh, which China claims as ‘South Tibet’. This diplomatic provocation comes as China has invested heavily in transportation infrastructure and a drone testing facility in Tibet. But China’s actions aren’t going entirely unanswered, with the US administration restoring funding to Tibetan organizations and warning Beijing against interfering with the Dalai Lama’s succession. What did Putin accomplish in New Delhi? Why is China now pushing a highly dubious historical claim to an Indian-administered territory? And what comes next for Tibet? In today’s episode, we discuss these issues and what they could mean for peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. *Recorded on December 3, 2025 at 3pm Taiwan Standard Time Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat Guests: Lobsang Sangay Former Central Tibetan Administration President Lai I-chung Prospect Foundation President Chapters: 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:01:20 – Putin visits India amid ongoing Ukraine war 00:05:53 – Beijing provokes India over border claim 00:15:45 – China expands Tibet transport grid, drones 00:22:05 – Trump administration restores aid to Tibet #IndiaRussiaRelations #VladimirPutin #NarendraModi #NewDelhi #UkraineWar #UkraineInvasion #RussianMilitary #RussianInvasion #RussiaSanctions #USSanctions #RussianForeignPolicy #IndianForeignPolicy #IndiaChinaRelations #ArunachalPradesh #SouthTibet #PemaThongdok #Tibet #McMahonLine #BritishIndia #SimlaConvention #ChineseHistory #IndianHistory #AsianHistory #BorderDispute #BorderConflict #GoWest #Xinjiang #EastTurkestan #ChineseInfrastructure #ChineseInvestment #Drones #DroneFactory #DroneFacility #USChinaRelations #DonaldTrump #USForeignAid #USAID #DalaiLama #FreeTibet #TibetanPolicyAct #ResolveTibetAct #USTibetPolicy #USForeignPolicy #TaiwanTalks #TaiwanPlus

Chile has recently taken a decisive step toward nationalizing its lithium industry, signing a joint venture agreement between the state-owned Codelco and local lithium giant SQM. This move directly impacted Tianqi Lithium, a major Chinese company under the control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which had invested heavily in Chile’s lithium sector. This marks a significant setback for China in the global race for dominance over critical resources like lithium.

President Trump signs new Taiwan legislation into law. The Taiwanese are ecstatic; the Chinese Communist Party—not so much.French President Emmanuel Macron is kicking off a three-day visit to China. This time, the president of the European Union isn’t joining him. What’s top of mind for Macron?To pressure Russia and help end the war in Ukraine, Europe says it will phase out Russian gas imports.The Trump administration prepares military strikes inside Venezuela. It’s America’s own backyard—but what role is China playing there? If Maduro falls, what would it mean for the Chinese regime?Prosecutors accuse Linda Sun of betraying the state of New York and advancing Beijing’s agenda. We have the latest on the case against Governor Hochul’s former aide.Taiwan Cheers Trump’s New Law, China ProtestsEvery Nation Has the Right to Recognize Taiwan: FisherMacron Kicks Off China Visit, von der Leyen AbsentEurope to Phase Out Russian Gas Imports by 2027What Would Toppling Maduro Mean for China?Prosecutors: Millions Flowed Into Sun’s Husband’s AccountsWhat’s at Stake in the AI Race Between U.S., ChinaHong Kong Fire Survivors Return to Collect Belongings

In today’s show: US President Donald Trump Signs Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act Into Law Opposition Lawmakers in Taiwan Halt US$40B Defense Budget Bill Review Taiwan Foreign Minister ‘Looks Forward’ To Diplomatic Ties With Honduras Hong Kong Fire Death Toll Rises to 156 With Dozens Still Missing Analysis: How Will the Hong Kong Fire Test Beijing’s Authority? Russian Strikes on Ukraine Continue As US Delegation Meets With Putin Tokyo Electron Charged in TSMC Trade Secrets Case Audrey Tang Named ‘Right Livelihood’ Laureate for Digital Advocacy Work📹 Anchor: Yvonne Yang#TaiwanPlus #TaiwanPlusNews #TaiwanNews-

Beijing has been hiding its economic doom but October was the breaking point when the numbers started to show that the economic free fall has begun. In this episode, we dive deep into the fiscal crisis, the sudden collapse in government spending, the 15.5% plunge in fixed-asset investment, the –42.2% financing freeze, the property market’s double-digit crash, and the sharp reversal in exports. These aren’t predictions — they’re the CCP’s own official numbers, already massaged and sanitized. If even the “polished” data is flashing red, the real situation is far worse.

Chinese and Japanese vessels are facing off in disputed waters near Taiwan, as China cancels 40 percent of scheduled flights to Japan. Tensions between two of Asia’s biggest economies are rising fast. Marine Col. Grant Newsham joins us to unpack what this means for the region:”The Chinese are constantly testing, constantly probing, to see what the Japanese will do to defend themselves, and, as importantly, what the Americans will do to step in to help the Japanese,” he says. “[One possibility is] a standing headquarters where Japanese and American forces and officers conduct the necessary patrols and exercises, ready to defend the area, and, if necessary, to push back, or even to shoot back, if fired upon. We don’t have that. Amazingly enough, the Japanese seem to be wanting to do it themselves, and it doesn’t appear the Americans have actually talked to the Japanese and said, ‘Look, let’s do this together.'”The poor quality of Chinese goods is also back in the spotlight after a devastating fire in Hong Kong. Counterfeit goods cost one Chinese businessman millions of dollars in losses. He shares his firsthand experience: “These counterfeit goods aren’t just made by one company—they’re part of a nationwide, systematic problem.”FBI Director Kash Patel tells The Epoch Times that fentanyl traffickers are struggling as critical precursors from China dry up. But will the Chinese regime honor its side of the fentanyl deal with America?00:00 Intro00:22 Japan Expels 2 Chinese Ships From Disputed Waters01:36 China Cuts 40 Percent of December Flights to Japan03:28 Newsham on China–Japan Tensions and the Senkaku Islands04:09 Beijing Escalates Claims Over Japan’s Senkaku Islands05:12 China Risks Clash While Escalating Tensions With Japan07:09 Lack of Joint Defense Leaves Senkaku Islands Exposed10:10 China Eyes Senkaku to Secure Taiwan Flank11:50 Hong Kong Vows Reform After Fire Kills 15615:06 Fake Goods Are a ‘State-Backed’ Industry in China17:06 Patel: Cartels ‘Scrambling’ After China Fentanyl Cutoff

What really fueled the deadly Hong Kong fire? In this investigation, we break down how a tragedy that should never have happened became inevitable after years of political pressure and mainland-style governance. From substandard safety nets and banned building materials to ignored warnings, collapsed oversight, and the Greater Bay Area integration project, this wasn’t an accident — it was the result of a system that put politics above safety. We examine the contractors, the regulators, the standards that quietly shifted, and the hidden forces behind Hong Kong’s worst disaster in years. This is the story Hong Kong officials don’t want to talk about.

On November 30, the Philippine Coast Guard’s 300-ton patrol vessel BRP Cabra successfully pushed a Chinese Coast Guard ship out of contested waters in the South China Sea. At the same time, Philippine forces tracked two larger 3,000-ton Chinese coast guard vessels on radar and kept all three Chinese ships nearly 100 nautical miles beyond the Philippines’ exclusive economic zone.

Gatestone Institute senior fellow Gordon Chang joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to break down China’s escalating threats toward Japan, rising tensions over Taiwan and mounting backlash in Hong Kong as Beijing tightens control.

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 Introduction00:11 Chinese Economy I: Housing Data Pulled02:38 Japan-China Tensions Update07:00 Chinese Economy II: Factory Numbers09:04 VW Goes Full Made In China

In this episode of Monetary Matters, Jack sits down with Michael Pettis, Senior Fellow at the Carnegie Endowment, to deconstruct the massive economic imbalances between China and the rest of the world.For decades, the global economy has relied on a specific mechanism: China suppresses domestic consumption to subsidize manufacturing, and the US runs massive deficits to absorb that excess supply. Pettis argues this model has reached its limit. They discuss the concept of “economic involution,” why China’s shift from real estate bubbles to manufacturing bubbles is dangerous for Europe and the US, and why the current tariff regimes are merely shifting trade routes rather than solving the problem. If you want to understand why the trade deficit keeps growing despite political intervention, and what a “Great Rebalancing” actually looks like, this is a must-listen. Recorded on November 24, 2025.