Year: 2025

Marine exploration could be redefined with China finally giving the green light to a deep-sea research facility. The facility will be anchored 2,000 meters below the surface of the strategically significant South China Sea, which is also subject to a number of competing territorial claims. Watch this report for more details!

Did China cut undersea cables near Taiwan? Former CIA Paramilitary Officer Nick Thompson tells The Cipher Brief the other explanations don’t add up. “If I’m on a 20-foot sailboat by myself, setting the anchor is a little bit of an art. So when you’re talking about vessels that are 700 feet long, 100 feet wide, that is a big piece of machinery going to the sea floor. The whole anchor theory of, ‘We accidentally did this,’ is frankly just absolutely ridiculous.”Nick Thompson is a former CIA Paramilitary Case Officer and Naval Special Warfare Development Group operator. With over 20 years of experience in the national security space, Nick has conducted countless clandestine operations and combat deployments with a primary focus in the Middle East and Asia. He has regularly navigated and led foreign intelligence collection and covert action initiatives by building networks with a diverse range of stakeholders. He now works in Washington D.C. at Anduril Industries, a leading defense technology company, seeking to bring cutting edge capability to intelligence and defense professionals alike.

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.

Two U.S. navy ships passed through the Taiwan Strait from Monday to Wednesday, the first such transit under the new Trump administration. The action triggered a burst of Chinese military activity in the area.

After meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino immediately announced that Panama would not renew its Belt and Road Initiative memorandum with China. He further stated that he is considering allowing Panama Canal technical teams to directly dialogue with the U.S. What prompted this major policy shift in Panama, and how will it reshape the geopolitical landscape in Latin America? Our guests are: Yen Chen-shen National Chengchi University Professor of Political Science Tsai Jung-hsiang National Chung-Cheng University Political Science Professor Chapters 00:00:00 – Panama Rethinks Belt and Road Deal 00:00:43 – Panama Ends Belt and Road Agreement 00:01:27 – How Will Panama’s Change Affect China? 00:06:27 – The Price of Panama’s Move 00:10:20 – Panama Canal Security: U.S. Concerns Rise 00:10:58 – U.S. V.S. China: Battle for Canal Influence? 00:15:03 – Where Will Latin America Tensions Rise? 00:23:33 – U.S.-Latin America Ties Grow Under Trump 00:24:06 – Taiwan’s Role: Impact of U.S. Support

China’s $93 billion smart city of Xiongan is President Xi Jinping’s utopian legacy. But after seven years of development, one of the world’s most expensive infrastructure projects remains largely empty. Located 60 miles outside Beijing, Xiongan is designed to ease pressure on the overcrowded and congested Chinese capital of more than 20 million people. So why are the streets of the new metropolis empty and will people move in?WSJ examines the challenges facing the megaproject and how it is exposing the limits to President Xi’s rule. Chapters:0:00 Xiongan’s troubles0:23 Why the smart city is being built1:55 Importance for President Xi3:00 Xiongan population

The evolving dynamics of U.S.-China relations are marked by significant geopolitical tensions and economic rivalries. A recent exchange between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping highlights the lack of clarity and skepticism surrounding their communications, particularly in the context of ongoing trade disputes. Trump’s claims of dialogue remain unverified by Beijing, raising concerns about diplomatic engagement. Concurrently, China appointed Liu Shaye as its special representative to Europe, signaling a shift toward a more assertive foreign policy characterized by “wolf warrior” diplomacy. Liu’s controversial history positions him as a key figure in navigating complex relations with European nations. Amid these developments, China’s ideological transformation under Xi focuses on national rejuvenation, intertwining socialist and populist rhetoric. This shift influences China’s assertive stance on Taiwan, which remains critical to its geopolitical strategy. The

China’s incredible naval expansion and modernization continues. The latest surprise is yet another new and unexplained submarine. The boat, whose designation is unknown, has a distinctive ultra-modern layout. Unscripted and unedited, just a defence analyst sharing knowledge

Chancay Port has quickly become a focal point of controversy, with corruption allegations surrounding Peruvian President Dina Boluarte making headlines just weeks after the port’s inauguration.Join this channel to get access to perks:

Chinese fentanyl is a huge problem in Canada.

The West and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) are engaged in an asymmetric struggle, but only one side fully understands the game. While the U.S. and its allies focus on military and economic dominance, the CCP plays by a different set of rules—leveraging its entire population as a strategic asset. Instead of direct military confrontation, Beijing weaponizes its people to infiltrate, manipulate, and exploit Western societies. This imbalance gives China an advantage that many in the West fail to recognize. To win this battle, the West must redefine its approach to warfare and develop countermeasures that include the CCP’s most powerful tool—its people.

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.

Taiwan’s legislature has voted to uphold controversial amendments to the recall law aimed at tightening regulations on removing elected officials just as the country faces a wave of over 40 recall petitions. 📹 Reporter(s): John Su/Gino Lopez#TaiwanPlus #TaiwanPlusNews #TaiwanNews #legislativeyuan #law #petition-

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said he is ‘very disturbed’ over the arrest of a further five in a suspected Chinese spy ring, alleged to be sleeper agents. And if they are just the tip of the iceberg as the Armed Forces of the Philippines says, just how extensive is this network? Our guests: Liou To-hai National Chengchi University College of International Affairs Adjunct Distinguished Professor Chen Ping-kuei National Chengchi University Department of Diplomacy ProfessorChapters00:00:00 China Spy Network Suspected00:00:52 Five Chinese Arrested for Espionage 00:08:21 ‘Sleeper Agents’ of Alleged Spy Ring 00:20:11 Marcos: China Must End Coercion 00:23:35 Professor Renato’s Point of View

China is rapidly reshaping the AI landscape, and at the center of this revolution are Huawei and DeepSeek. With the latest Ascend 910C AI chips powering DeepSeek’s cutting-edge AI models, China is challenging US dominance in artificial intelligence.

Through countless failed experiments, meticulous adjustments, and unwavering persistence, a research team from the renowned Zhejiang University has pushed the speed of Black Panther, the world’s fastest quadrupedal robot, to a stable 10 meters per second.

On February 8 at 11:50 a.m., a landslide suddenly struck Jinping Village in Junlian County, Yibin City, Sichuan. The rushing mud and rocks spread several kilometers in an instant. The disaster happened so quickly that people had no time to escape.Join this channel to get access to perks:

Law enforcement officers arrest two Chinese men for allegedly smuggling counterfeit goods from China. We have more on the details of the scheme.Ripple effects from President Donald Trump’s tariffs on China are spreading. Gold prices hit record highs, and we take a look at how more companies plan to move production out of China.Taiwan expresses interest in buying natural gas from Alaska as the island looks to narrow its trade surplus with the United States.New York state bans Chinese AI chatbot DeepSeek from government devices, as lawmakers push a bill through Congress to ban the app on all official devices.00:00 Intro01:18 Chinese Men Arrested Over Smuggling Charges in LA03:03 Gold Hits New High After China Imposes Tariffs on US03:51 Sharpie Maker Aims to Reduce Reliance on China04:29 Taiwan Offers to Buy Alaskan Gas to Avoid US Tariffs05:50 State Dept. Condemns Bomb Threats Against Shen Yun07:20 NY State Bans DeepSeek on State Devices07:39 Bipartisan Bill Would Ban DeepSeek on Gov’t Devices09:36 Security Expert Unpacks Deepseek’s China Ties13:30 Thousands Protest Plans for Chinese ‘Mega Embassy’17:04 India’s Modi to Meet with Trump for Trade, China Talks

China says it opposes the U.S.’s attempts to “smear and sabotage” the Belt and Road Initiative after Panama announced its exit from the program. Panama became the first Latin American country to leave China’s global infrastructure development project.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Thailand and China to deepen mutual trust in the face of global challenges during a meeting as part of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra’s four-day visit to China. 📹 Reporter(s): Dolphine Chen/Joyce Tseng#TaiwanPlus #TaiwanPlusNews #TaiwanNews #China #President #XiJinping #Thailand #TransnationalCrime-

Can Chinese-made cameras serve as Beijing’s overseas spies? The United States warns the answer is yes and that the devices are capable of disrupting critical operations if they’re installed in key networks.President Donald Trump welcomes the Japanese prime minister to the White House. We have more on what the two leaders agreed on.America’s health care industry is urging Trump to make a tariff exception for Chinese medical supplies. They say levies on Chinese imports could send drug prices rising on U.S. soil.China takes aim at Washington over Panama’s decision to exit a major infrastructure deal. We look at the competition heating up between the two powers.00:00 Intro01:02 Chinese Cameras Capable of Espionage, Disruption in the US03:14 Medical Sector Pressures Trump Over China Tariff04:26 Trump Meets Japan’s Prime Minister at White House06:25 China Blames US for Panama’s Exit From Belt and Road08:11 Australian Defense Minister Meets With Hegseth09:42 DeepSeek May Have Ability to Track Web Data11:41Lee: DeepSeek Did Not Out-Innovate the US15:52 Lawmaker Highlights CCP’s Persecution of Falun Gong17:44 Probe Details Labor Abuse at BYD Brazil Factory

Japan is showcasing its military power against Chinese threats.The Chinese threat is forcing Japan to rethink its security day by day.We can say that Tokyo is determined to be recognized as an important part of the European security architecture.Here are the details of the news.China frequently intercepts US and allied warplanes and other aircraft flying in international airspace. The People’s Liberation Army Navy also harass US Navy ships, without any reason other than to scare them.The US Department of Defense recorded how many times China attacked US and allied aircraft in 2023.Now the US and its allies are using show-of-force tactics to show China that they can also show their capabilities by showing their power.The mission was to take the initiative and break China’s will by using stealth fighter jets.The allied countries believed that it was time to stand up to China’s aggression in the Indo-Pacific.The US and Japan recently conducted joint air exercises near Okinawa, showcasing their military might against increasing Chinese aggression.This time, the Americans and Japanese conducted exercises around an island that is critical to China’s eyes and ears on January 22 and 24.The exercises involved 32 Japanese aircraft, 24 F-15s and US Air Force F-22s, underscoring Okinawa’s strategic importance in maintaining regional stability.As tensions rise in the Indo-Pacific, the “Grand Allied Basin”, which includes Taiwan and the Philippines, is strengthening its deterrence against China.The exercises underscore America’s commitment to defending its allies and preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region.The exercises took place in the southwest of the island, off Okinawa. Okinawa is part of the Ryukyu Islands, which belong to Japan.This is a strategic area of ​​water between the East China Sea and the Philippine Sea. Japan and the United States need to control this area and the skies above it in the event of a conflict with China.Okinawa is a key outpost for American and Japanese defense strategy, operations and tactics.There are approximately 54,000 American troops stationed on the Japanese island of Okinawa.A total of 32 Japanese aircraft, including 24 F-15s and helicopters, participated in the exercises.They are flying from Naha Air Base in Okinawa.These pilots are experienced because they often have to intercept Chinese aircraft flying over Okinawa’s airspace.Japan has also established an Air Defense Identification Zone around its territory to assert its sovereignty and send a message to China that it will not tolerate any intrusive activities by aircraft from the Middle Kingdom.Meanwhile, the Americans have deployed Air Force F-22s and Marine Corps V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft. These can transport troops quickly and efficiently.The F-22s fly from Kadena Air Base in Okinawa.This is the closest Air Force facility to Taiwan and would be a flashpoint for conflict if China were to attempt to invade Taiwan.Military exercises with allied partners are arguably the best way to prepare for further Chinese aggression.Working with allies shows China that it is isolated in the Indo-Pacific without many friends.The US-Japan alliance is essential to the free world’s stance in the Pacific. In the mutual security treaty, the US and Japan recognize that they share a common stake in the security and peaceful progress of the Far East region.Japan’s first F-35B carrier landings were carried out with the support of UK and US Naval Aviation experts.A Royal Navy pilot is reportedly actively helping Japan transition to operating the F-35B Lightning II, providing expertise in flight testing and operational procedures to ensure the smooth integration of the aircraft into Japan’s naval forces.Japan has been operating the F-35A, a conventional takeoff and landing variant, for several years.However, the introduction of the F-35B represents a shift toward carrier-based air power, as the aircraft’s short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities allow for operations from smaller decks and forward-deployed bases. Unlike the F-35A, the B variant features a shaft-driven lift fan behind the cockpit and a rotating rear nozzle for vertical thrust, allowing it to take off and land in tight spaces.

U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to take control of the Panama canal, repeatedly accusing China of having control over it. Now panama, acting under pressure, has pledged to terminate a key deal with China. What is China’s interest in Panama? Why has the U.S. President singled out China in his threats about Panama?#trump #china #panamacanal

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. __________________