Month: March 2026

When Japan surrendered in 1945, its military was dismantled and Article 9 renounced war, anchoring a pacifist identity that shaped post-war relations with China and the United States. For decades, Japan relied on American protection while tensions with Beijing simmered over history, trade, and disputed islands, slowly intensifying as China rose. The security rules that once defined East Asia—Japan restrained, the U.S. dominant, China cautious—are beginning to shift, as Tokyo expands its military role and steps closer to the region’s front lines. Since the Shinzo Abe era, security reforms, defense buildups, and Taiwan-linked crises have accelerated this transformation. Japan’s evolving posture could redraw the fragile balance between deterrence and escalation in Asia.

Source: China just woke a sleeping giant

This book launch event, featuring Jan Jekielek, Epoch Times senior editor and “Killed to Author” author, and comedian Rob Schneider, was hosted by the Trump Kennedy Center as part of its Millennium Stage series.

Source: The Hot Mic Moment that Exposed China’s Elite Transplant Obsession | Rob Schneider & Jan Jekielek

For years, Iran has boasted that its missile range was self-limited to 2000 kilometers, but this time they took a swing at the US base over 4,000 kilometers away, but they didn’t hit it. One missile was intercepted by the US military, a US Navy ageist destroyer patrolling the Indian Ocean fired an SM three missile, which soared into space at terrifying speeds and collided with Iran’s missile shattering it mid-flight.The Diego Garcia base didn’t even get a scratch.

Source: Breaking! Iran Fires 2 Chinese 3,800km Missiles at US Base—One Shattered, One Intercepted

China has been rattling its saber about Taiwan ever since the nationalists fled to Taiwan in 1949. If China were to take over Taiwan, about 10% of its population could be targeted for elimination. We spoke with Ethan Gutmann, author of The Xinjiang Procedure, about why 10% of Taiwan’s population is in China’s crosshairs.

Source: 10% of Taiwan DEAD

00:00 Introduction 00:21 China’s Economy: A Shrinking Global Share 04:32 Rural Land Contracts 06:18 Taiwan Holds Rates as AI Boom Meets Energy Shock Risks

Source: The Shocking China Story No One Is Talking About | China’s Economy | Taiwan

National security expert T. Casey Fleming is the CEO of BlackOps Partners, a strategy and cybersecurity consulting firm that he founded in 2008. He’s also the author of the new book, “The Red Tsunami: The Silent Storm Killing Your Freedom.” “It may look like a book, but it’s a whistleblower’s exposé and survival guide. … It basically tells you what to do to protect yourself,” Fleming said. “Number one: Stop buying Chinese products and services and stop investing in companies that are investing in China,” he said. The Chinese Communist Party has been using what are known as unrestricted warfare tactics against the United States for decades, and on multiple fronts, he said. Its purpose is to weaken the enemy from within—without firing a single shot. There are dozens of tactics, including, for instance, cognitive warfare, drug warfare, and biological warfare. These manifest in the deployment of TikTok—which remains a powerful cognitive weapon in the CCP’s arsenal, Fleming argued—as well as the spread of both COVID-19 and fentanyl addiction in America. For years, Americans have largely failed to notice this pattern of unrestricted warfare and how the pieces fit together. “The mosaic effect is you see bits and pieces and you don’t connect them, and so it doesn’t really mean much to you. … When you connect the dots… it becomes the mosaic. You now see what your enemy is doing and what the end goal is, and how you need to protect yourself.” Casey said he believes this silent, unrestricted war is the final war: “The world will be won or lost within the next 10 years or less.”

Source: How Chinese – Made Infrastructure Could Be Used to Cripple the U.S. in a Crisis | Casey Fleming

Source: Why Professor Jiang Appeals to the Woke Right

The US, Japan, the Philippines and Taiwan are deploying increasingly powerful coastal defense systems along the First Island Chain, creating a “missile arc” aimed at deterring China’s aggression. From Japan’s upgraded Type-12 missiles covering the Miyako Strait, to the Philippines’ Indian-made BrahMos batteries guarding the Bashi Channel, and Taiwan’s growing concentration of Hsiung Feng anti-ship missiles, these overlapping ranges could transform key maritime chokepoints into highly contested zones. It comes as Washington discusses stockpiling more weapon supplies in Taiwan, which could be accessed during an attempted blockade. In this episode, we examine how this emerging missile arc could affect China’s military operations, the implications for a potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait, and what it means for the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region.

Source: Missile Arc? Japan Deploys 1st Long – Range Missiles, Philippines Pivots BrahMos Against China | EP793

This video explores whether Xi Jinping could face a sudden downfall, drawing parallels to recent events like Khamenei’s fate. Three scenarios are examined: a U.S. military strike (unlikely without global war), a lone-wolf assassination (more plausible from his inner circle due to paranoia-fueled purges), or a Ceaușescu-style coup and execution following mass unrest. Historical cases—Park Chung-hee’s assassination by his intelligence chief amid fear of purges, and Ceaușescu’s collapse after losing all legitimacy—highlight how intense control and betrayal from within can backfire. Xi’s lack of a clear successor and eroded legitimacy (performance, procedural, narrative) make his one-man rule fragile. If Xi is removed, China likely reverts to collective leadership like the Hu era—factional struggle, restored term limits, renewed focus on economic growth—offering a better, though not fully democratic, future. His exit, not reform, may be the key to breaking the current deadlock.

Source: Xi’s Purges Are Planting the Seeds of His Own Downfall | Digging into China

The Iran war didn’t just test China’s military technology—it exposed it. As U.S. and Israeli strikes unfolded, China’s advanced air defense systems didn’t just struggle—they failed. But the real story didn’t stay on the battlefield. Inside China, something started to break. Top weapons scientists were quietly removed. Key figures in radar, missiles, and nuclear research vanished from official records. At the same time, a massive supercomputer data leak surfaced—potentially exposing the core of China’s military technology. This video takes you inside what Beijing isn’t explaining: the purges, the hidden losses, and the growing signs of a system under pressure. Because what failed in Iran may not just be weapons— but the entire structure behind them.

Source: Iran War Exposed China’s Military Tech — Then a Massive Data Leak Hit

00:00 Introduction 00:15 Oil Shock Ripples Through Global Economy as War and Inflation Collide 05:14 New Zealand Growth Slows as Global Oil Shock Clouds Outlook 08:36 EU Parcel Tax Unlikely to Slow Surge of Cheap Chinese Imports

Source: 80% Hit: Markets Panic as Global Turmoil Spreads | New Zealand’s Woes | EU Trade

Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae’s high-stakes visit to Washington — originally meant to reinforce the US–Japan alliance and refocus attention on Indo-Pacific security — was instead overshadowed by the US-Israeli war with Iran, a global energy crisis and an eyebrow-raising comment by US President Donald Trump about Pearl Harbor. Earlier in the week, Tokyo signed a joint declaration with the UK and several EU countries expressing support for reopening the Strait of Hormuz, which is a critical passageway for 20 percent of the world’s oil. However, Japan’s pacifist Constitution and domestic opposition put major constraints on any potential military role. Meanwhile, a US intelligence report described Takaichi’s comments about Taiwan as “a significant shift,” seemingly siding with Beijing’s interpretation and putting Tokyo on the defensive. How will Takaichi and her government navigate this “very difficult” political terrain? In this episode, we examine Japan’s diplomatic challenge, shifting US alliance dynamics and what it means for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific. *Recorded on March 20, 2026 at 10:30am Taiwan Standard Time Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat Consultant: Max Yu Research Assistant: April Lin Our guests: Ota Fumio Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces Vice Admiral (Ret.) Patrick Cronin Hudson Institute Asia-Pacific Security Chair Michael Chen Democratic Progressive Party International Affairs Director Chapters: 00:00:00 – Japan PM Visits US Amid Iran Conflict 00:03:28 – Takaichi Navigates ‘Very Difficult’ Terrain in DC 00:15:24 – Tokyo Rejects US Intel on PM’s Taiwan Remarks

Source: Trump Praises Japan, Slams NATO Over Iran: Takaichi Navigates Hormuz Pressure | Taiwan Talks EP798

A recent report about Venezuelan dictator Maduro may have kept Xi Jinping awake at night. It is said that the former president reportedly called for help when at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center in New York, yelling, “I am the president of Venezuela, tell my country that I’ve been kidnapped. Tell my country that we are being mistreated here.”

Source: Maduro Screams at Night: I’m the President! Xi Freaks Out! Military and Armed Police Stage a Coup

Chinese leader Xi Jinping wanted a new world order—but his closest allies are crumbling. With Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in U.S. custody and Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dead, Xi’s global ambitions are facing a major reality check. We examine how Washington is squeezing Beijing’s partners and dismantling China’s global agenda. A Chinese researcher in Texas has been sentenced to one year in prison and is set to be deported after pleading guilty to attempting to smuggle sensitive medical data to China. Chinese nationals have been receiving flight training in the United States, and some could one day pilot Chinese military aircraft in an attack on Taiwan. A lawmaker is sounding the alarm. A new book, “Killed to Order,” exposes the Chinese Communist Party’s crime of forced organ harvesting. It’s authored by Jan Jekielek, senior editor at The Epoch Times. 00:00 Intro 02:36 Trump’s South America, Mideast Actions Dismantle Xi’s Global Agenda 08:59 MD Anderson Researcher Gets 1-Year Prison Term: Chinese IP Theft 10:40 China Pilots Trained in U.S. Schools 11:56 Experts to Congress: Robotics Race with China Critical 14:45 New Book Unpacks CCP’s Organ Harvesting Industry 17:01 Expert: Widespread Chinese Influence in South Korea

Source: China’s Global Ambitions Facing Reality Check | China in Focus

Source: THE MATTER OF TAIWAN: EXPLORING A LONG – STANDING FLASH POINT OF THE INDO – PACIFIC

Donald Trump’s upcoming China trip is already hitting snags—delays, a scaled-down itinerary, and one very awkward guest: Marco Rubio, who’s technically banned from entering China. As Beijing scrambles to save face, this visit is shaping up to be less diplomacy—and more geopolitical trolling between Trump and Xi Jinping.

Source: Trump Forces China Into a Lose – Lose Situation

Source: It’s Finally Happening… – Episode #307

Population and economic data are key indicators in the competition between major global powers, but under the Chinese Communist Party’s rule, China has been accused of falsifying these figures, with many flaws exposed!

Source: China’s Two Huge Lies Revealed: GDP Half of the U.S., Population Only Half of Official Claims

Taiwan is racing to build a layered air defense system — known as the “T-Dome” — to counter growing missile threats from China. With high-altitude Tien Kung (Sky Bow) interceptors, mid-altitude US NASAMS and PAC-2/PAC-3 systems, last-resort point defense weapons like Stingers and Skyguards, PAVE PAWS radars, and AI-enabled IAMD command networks, the plan is to create a fully integrated shield capable of defending against ballistic missiles, drones, advanced aircraft and saturation attacks. A new US$14 billion arms package and the timely delivery of 102 Patriot missiles suggest Washington remains committed to Taiwan’s defense, despite concerns over resource constraints. But can Taiwan meet its ambitious 2027 target? And are there any remaining gaps? In this episode, we examine Taiwan’s evolving deterrence strategy, political challenges at home, and what it means for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Source: Interceptor Boost: US Sends Taiwan 102 Patriot Missiles, Despite Iran War | Taiwan Talks EP797

A new US intelligence report says Beijing has no plans to invade Taiwan in 2027, despite much speculation around a potential timeline for the PLA under Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Source: China Has No Plans To Invade Taiwan in 2027: US Intelligence Report｜TaiwanPlus News

Source: Cuba’s Plans Just Failed SPECTACULARLY

China says it wants peace—but is that just part of the strategy? As China expands its influence through cyber, economic, and information warfare, anti-war narratives are spreading in the U.S. and beyond. From tensions over Taiwan to global propaganda campaigns, is Beijing shaping public opinion to gain the upper hand before a real conflict begins?

Source: This Is Not Looking Good…

China’s Two Sessions are usually tightly controlled political theater—but this year, something felt different. From over 100 unexplained absences to a rare dissenting vote, from missing generals to subtle shifts in language on Taiwan and the economy, a series of unusual signals emerged behind the scenes. Even Xi Jinping’s inner circle appears unsettled, raising new questions about loyalty, control, and the balance of power inside the CCP. In this video, we break down what these signals really mean—and whether they point to deeper instability within China’s political system.

Source: Something Was Off at China’s Two Sessions — And It’s Bigger Than It Looks

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] 00:00 Introduction 00:10 US-China: Trump-Xi Summit & Iran Crisis 02:31 Vietnam-China 04:25 Tech War: Nvidia’s H200s & ‘Apple Tax’ 07:50 The New Space Race

Source: Top China Official Admits: We Are In Big Trouble | Global Tech War | The New Space Race | Vietnam

Clashing narratives, competing coverage—what’s shaping the story we see? And how is China influencing the global conversation on the Iran war? Taiwan is reaffirming its resolve to defend itself, as the summit between President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping is delayed and speculation grows over whether it could affect U.S. arms sales to the island. Chinese companies not only operate American port terminals, but are also being awarded U.S. military transportation contracts. Now, two lawmakers are pushing back. Argentina’s textile sector is facing its worst downturn in decades. Ultra-cheap imports from China are flooding its market. A U.S. cybersecurity firm has uncovered a massive North Korean scheme targeting American tech jobs. One suspect’s laptop provides an inside look, revealing China’s possible role in the operation. 00:00 Intro 01:03 Israel Confirms Killings of Top Iranian Officials 02:01 Trump Expects Iran War to End “Soon” 02:29 How Media Narratives Are Aiding Iran 04:26 China’s Role in Shaping Iran War Narratives 06:16 Taiwan Reaffirms Self-Defense Commitment 07:27 Bill Would Prevent CCP From Using Truck Drivers for Spying 08:32 Chinese Company Could Track U.S. Military Cargo 09:52 What’s Behind Trump’s Comment on Delaying China Visit 15:11 Argentina Fashion Hit Hard by Chinese Imports 18:34 U.S. Cybersecurity Firm Exposes N. Korea Job Scheme

Source: Taiwan Reaffirms Self – Defense Commitment | China in Focus

Chinese leader Xi Jinping wanted a new world order—but his closest allies are crumbling. With Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro in U.S. custody and Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei dead, Xi’s global ambitions are facing a major reality check. We examine how Washington is squeezing Beijing’s partners and dismantling China’s global agenda. A Chinese researcher in Texas has been sentenced to one year in prison and is set to be deported after pleading guilty to attempting to smuggle sensitive medical data to China. Chinese nationals have been receiving flight training in the United States, and some could one day pilot Chinese military aircraft in an attack on Taiwan. A lawmaker is sounding the alarm. A new book, “Killed to Order,” exposes the Chinese Communist Party’s crime of forced organ harvesting. It’s authored by Jan Jekielek, senior editor at The Epoch Times. 00:00 Intro 02:36 Trump’s South America, Mideast Actions Dismantle Xi’s Global Agenda 08:59 MD Anderson Researcher Gets 1-Year Prison Term: Chinese IP Theft 10:40 China Pilots Trained in U.S. Schools 11:56 Experts to Congress: Robotics Race with China Critical 14:45 New Book Unpacks CCP’s Organ Harvesting Industry 17:01 Expert: Widespread Chinese Influence in South Korea

Source: China’s Global Ambitions Facing Reality Check | China in Focus

China’s latest Two Sessions reveal a leader at a crossroads. For years, 习近平 doubled down on high growth and tech-driven exports, but the harsh reality of deflation and a shrinking population has finally forced his hand. In this video, we analyze why the CPC has lowered its GDP target for the first time in decades and what the “half-convinced” mindset—a term rooted in Cultural Revolution struggle sessions—tells us about the government’s current state of panic. From a massive pivot toward “cultural warfare” regarding Taiwan to a record-breaking abandon of fiscal discipline, 习近平 is finally compromising with reality—but is it too little, too late? We break down why these half-hearted measures to stimulate consumption and births are likely to fall short, leaving China’s “Great National Rejuvenation” on shaky ground.

Source: Half – Hearted Fixes: Why Xi is Still Underestimating Deflation | Digging into China

The US military has devastated Iran’s navy in a series of overwhelming strikes. But defeating Iran is one thing—facing China would be a completely different challenge. China has the world’s largest navy, a rapidly growing submarine fleet, and massive missile forces. And while the war with Iran is revealing important lessons about modern warfare—from drones and AI to long-range weapons—it’s also raising a bigger question: could the US win a war with China? In this episode of China Uncensored, we look at how the Iran conflict is shaping US military strategy—and what it could mean for a future confrontation with China.

Source: China’s Navy is SUNK

President Donald Trump says he has asked to delay his planned meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing by about one month. He has also called on Beijing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The United States and China have resumed trade talks in Paris, discussing tariffs, trade volumes, and a possible new “U.S.–China Board of Trade.” Officials say the talks are constructive as both sides prepare for a potential Trump–Xi summit in Beijing, though the dates may shift. China is ramping up military activity around Taiwan—again. Warplanes and ships are back in the area, raising concerns about renewed pressure on the island nation amid the ongoing war in Iran. A former U.S. Marine and intelligence analyst faces federal charges for allegedly sending top-secret U.S. defense information to two people, including one in China. 00:00 Intro 02:46 Trump Seeks to Delay China Trip, Calls on China to Help With Strait of Hormuz 05:28 Allies Respond to Trump’s Call to Secure Key Oil Route 06:57 U.S.-China Delegations Resume Trade Talks in Paris 09:42 CCP Resumes Military Pressure on Taiwan After Absence 11:35 Former U.S. Marine Indicted for Sharing Classified Information with China: DOJ 12:38 Lawmakers Criticize Nvidia H200 Chip Sales to China Over U.S. Security Risks 13:53 How Beijing Dehumanizes Christians in China

Source: Trump Seeks to Delay China Trip, Calls China to Help With Strait of Hormuz | China in Focus

00:00 Introduction 00:15 China’s Energy & Middle East Crisis 04:41 JD.com Enters Europe 06:36 Did China Really Eradicate Poverty?

Source: It’s Bad: China’s System Exposed In New Leaks | Iran & China’s Energy | China’s Economy

Source: A Nation of Dumbing and Neglect

Source: Behind Xi Jinping’s Hot Mic Moment

After the Supreme Court ruling that ruled against many of his global tariffs, President Donald Trump is launching new trade probes into China that could result in new levies on Chinese goods. Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has dropped sharply. Some ships are claiming to be China-owned to avoid Iranian missiles—but it’s not guaranteed. A Chinese-owned cargo ship was hit on Thursday. Mandating language, incentivizing cross-ethnic marriage, and rewriting the rules of faith among ethnic groups. China’s new law further requires parents to guide their children toward the Communist Party—raising alarms among human rights groups. A powerful AI tool—whose name is a nod to lobsters—is going viral in China while also raising major concerns. Why is Beijing now scrambling to regulate it—as it pushes for global AI dominance? A bipartisan pair of senators unveils a new bill aimed at protecting Falun Gong practitioners and countering forced organ harvesting in China. 00:00 Intro 01:06 U.S. Trade Probes: China May Face New Tariffs 01:58 Chinese-Owned Cargo Ship Might Be Hit by Iran 02:57 China’s New Law: Parents Must Teach Kids to Love CCP 06:15 OpenClaw Boom Pressures China to Regulate AI 08:11 New Bill to Protect Falun Gong, Counter Organ Harvesting 10:27 Senate Warns of China’s Grip on U.S. Drug Supply 13:47 Insider: Beijing Fears Iran Strikes Could Spur Uprising in China

Source: Chinese – owned Cargo Ship Hit by Iran | China in Focus