Day: February 6, 2026

“The descriptions that came out in the PLA Daily, suggesting that he’d betrayed the Communist Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission, suggested it was something more significant than your run-of-the-mill corruption, which a lot of the others have been accused of.”Reportedly at least two dozen generals have been “swept away” by Xi, leaving just China’s president and one general in control of the army, says author and long-time foreign correspondent in Russia and China, Ian Williams.

Xi Jinping made two urgent calls in one day—to Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin—right as his grip on power inside Beijing wobbled. Why now? From NPC silence to PLA turmoil and the Zhang Youxia shock, this episode breaks down how Xi is seeking foreign backing to prop himself up—and why Washington may quietly benefit as Xi weakens the CCP and PLA from within.

China’s economy appears strong on the surface, with official growth of 5 percent and a record trade surplus in 2025. Yet beneath the headline numbers, domestic demand remains weak, private investment is retreating, and prices are hovering near deflation. As growth becomes increasingly driven by exports while confidence at home erodes, questions are mounting over whether China is facing a temporary slowdown or a deeper structural shift. If GDP no longer captures economic reality, what indicators matter more — and what do they reveal about China’s long-term trajectory? In this episode, we examine China’s domestic economic pressures, rising social strains, and what a “China Shock 2.0” could mean for global markets, political stability and the future of China’s growth model.

In January 2026, researchers detected unusually high concentrations of the radioactive isotope “Iodine-129” in the waters of the West Philippine Sea. This substance, with a half-life of 15.7 million years, is rarely produced by nature. It is also a unique “fingerprint” of human nuclear activity and disasters. A report from the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute instantly sent shockwaves through the geopolitical landscape of the Far East.

​Taiwan is planning to acquire more naval vessels, including a submarine rescue vessel, a replenishment ship for fuel and munitions, ten light patrol frigates, two rescue ships and a dock landing transport ship at a time when maritime tensions with China are rising.📹 Reporter(s): Fuhua Hung/Alan Lu#TaiwanPlus #TaiwanPlusNews #TaiwanNews-

President Donald Trump and China’s Xi Jinping spoke on the phone on Wednesday, with more details emerging on U.S. soybean purchases and Washington’s weapons sale to Taiwan.An FBI raid has revealed a major security loophole. With loose regulations on virus labs in the United States, questions are growing over how this could be exploited by China. Senior investigative reporter Joshua Philipp explains.“You wouldn’t have to launch a biological warfare attack on America,” he says. “You can make it look like an accident in someone’s backyard.”Trump also warned the United States would militarily secure its base on the Chagos Islands if American forces come under threat. Meanwhile, a lawmaker says the UK’s prime minister should consider another option.In a separate development, Trump and Xi discussed Taiwan during their call. As China reiterated its claims over the island, Taiwan’s opposition delayed a new defense budget—drawing criticism from U.S. lawmakers. The Trump–Xi call has put that budget stalemate back in the spotlight.00:00 Intro01:23 U.S.–China Relations Juggle Goodwill and Friction03:09 Trump–Xi Talk Puts Taiwan Budget Deadlock Back in Spotlight05:24 Mysterious China-Linked Bio Labs Found in U.S. Cities08:25 Backyard Labs Could Pose Bioweapon Threat: Philipp10:15 Vegas Lab Seizure May Reveal What Reedley Could Not13:16 Smuggled Pathogens, Secret Labs Spark U.S. Security Fears14:39 Trump: U.S. Would Secure Diego Garcia Base if Threatened15:34 Sen. Kennedy to UK: Sell Chagos Islands to the U.S.16:11 Key U.S.–Russia Nuclear Treaty Expires16:54 Panama Rejects China Threats Over Key Canal Ports18:10 Waymo Faces Lawmaker Scrutiny Over Chinese-Made Cars19:42 Hearing: China Spends Billions to Suppress Faith

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 Introduction00:10 US-China Cold War: Critical Minerals 02:36 Beijing Punishes Panama05:58 China EV Stock Slide: BYD Rout Exposes Profit Fears07:44 China’s Coal Capacity Expansion

FBI and SWAT teams raided a Las Vegas home and uncovered a suspected illegal biological laboratory containing refrigerators and vials of unknown liquids. Investigators say the property may be connected to an ongoing federal case in California involving a Chinese-run biological lab.Thousands of samples have been sent for testing, hazmat crews are still cleaning the home, and multiple people—including a housecleaner and handyman—reportedly became ill after entering the garage where the lab was found.

Taiwan has announced that its US tariff rate has been reduced from 20 percent to 15 percent, matching Japan, South Korea and the EU, as part of a sweeping trade and investment framework with Washington. The deal includes large-scale Taiwanese investment in the US semiconductor, AI and energy industries, along with government-backed credit guarantees and new industrial parks. Supporters argue the agreement strengthens economic integration and resilience, but critics warn it could hollow out Taiwan’s chip industry and weaken its so-called “Silicon Shield” that theoretically deters Chinese aggression. How does Taiwan’s model differ from Japan’s and South Korea’s? And what lessons should Taiwan take from the rise and sudden fall of Japan’s DRAM chip industry in late 20th century? In this episode, we discuss the US–Taiwan trade deal, comparisons with Japan and South Korea, historical lessons from past chip wars, and what the agreement means for Taiwan’s security and future position in global supply chains.

Panama’s president has pushed back against warnings from Beijing after the country annulled a contract allowing a Hong Kong firm to operate ports at either end of the Panama Canal.

China’s maritime militia–civilian fishing vessels reportedly staged Taiwan blockade rehearsals using two large formations near major shipping lanes. On December 25, 2,000 Chinese fishing boats sailed to the East China Sea and formed two parallel lines in a reverse L-shape, each stretching 290 miles, Forbes reported.Around January 11, 1,400 vessels created a 200-mile long rectangle in the East China Sea. According to the New York Times, cargo ships had to veer around or zigzag through the dense formation.Analysts say that many of the boats were known militia vessels, and the level of coordination suggests state direction. The civilian cover, experts say, is part of the Beijing’s legal warfare strategy–designed to complicate a potential defence of Taiwan. Maritime militia vessels often do not use Automatic Identification Systems, or “spoof” their signals, in violation of international law.

In this video, we examine the stunning fall of Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Zhang Youxia and what it reveals about Xi Jinping’s unprecedented military purges. Far from being driven by corruption, these moves target political loyalty and control. Xi has now removed as many CMC vice chairmen as Mao did—yet no senior general has ever openly resisted. Why? Through a modern system of total surveillance, secret reporting, mutual criticism, and deliberate atomization, Xi has turned the PLA into isolated islands of fear. No horizontal alliances can form; everyone is watched, no one trusts anyone. This isn’t preparation for a Taiwan invasion—it’s routine power consolidation, echoing Stalin’s playbook. The deeper question: in such a system, obedience becomes the only rational choice, even for battle-hardened commanders. Real insight into how absolute power really works in today’s China.