Day: May 12, 2026

President Donald Trump says a deal to end the Iran war is possible before his visit to China next week. This comes as Iran’s foreign minister meets with China’s top diplomat in Beijing at China’s invitation. We have the key takeaways. A man accused of opening a secret Chinese police station in New York is on trial this week. What prosecutors say he did to help Beijing carry out its agenda on U.S. soil—and why the case matters. Flora Hua reports from the courtroom. China is reportedly still supplying key drone parts to Russia and Iran despite U.S. sanctions. A new report shows the flow may be increasing. Japanese and U.S. forces conduct live-fire drills in a major regional exercise as security cooperation grows amid rising tensions with Beijing in the South China Sea. A brazen act of foreign interference in Canada: The Chinese Consulate pressured Vancouver city officials to cancel a Shen Yun performance—but failed. 00:00 Intro 01:18 Trump: Deal to End Iran War Possible Before China Visit 01:34 China Top Diplomat Meets With Iran Foreign Minister 02:33 Expert: China, Iran Likely Discussed How to Cope With U.S. 03:14 Greer: Trump, Xi to Discuss China’s Iran Oil Purchases 03:45 U.S. to Address Human Rights During China Visit 04:32 Satellite Chinese Police Station in NYC on Trial: Day 3 07:172.5 Million Tons of Lithium Found in U.S. 07:54 China Still Supplying Drone Parts to Russia, Iran: WSJ 09:02 Japan, U.S. Hold Live-Fire Drills Facing South China Sea 10:45 China Pressured Vancouver Official to Cancel Shen Yun 13:44 Lee Smith on Trump’s Leverage Heading Into Xi Summit 14:02 China Loses Edge as Trump Gains Energy Upper Hand 15:28 Break From Past: Trump to Press Xi on Human Rights 17:29 Trump Faces China Strategy Shaped by Elites 19:57 Taiwan Tied to Broader U.S.-China Strategy 21:31 Trump 2.0: More Leverage, Broader China Push

Source: China Still Supplying Drone Parts to Iran, Russia: Report | China in Focus

Taiwan is raising its military budget to more than 3 percent of GDP, with officials already eyeing an even bigger jump in the years ahead. The move follows President Donald Trump’s call for stronger alliances and deterrence. Members of the free world are responding to Trump’s deterrence call. Across the Indo-Pacific, key allies and partners are boosting their defense budgets. We break it down. How close are we to a war over Taiwan? We spoke with an expert who explains why the West may need to prepare. The Philippines and Australia are joining forces in a new defense pact. The deal boosts military cooperation between the two key U.S. allies and counters growing threats from communist China. Trump speaks out on TikTok, addressing security risks and the future of the Chinese-owned app. Is a sale to American buyers possible? 00:00 Intro 01:10 Key U.S. Asia Defense Partners Favor Budget Rise 02:56 WH: Peace Through Strength Delivering Results 05:05 Paskal: West Should Prepare for China’s Taiwan Invasion 07:51 Nvidia CEO in Taiwan to Visit TSMC 10:14 U.S. Navy Sailor Convicted of Spying for China 10:53 Fed Chair Powell Opens Door to Interest Rate Cut 12:57 Rate Cut Not Guaranteed as Powell Flags Inflation Risks 14:16 Philippines & Australia to Seal New Defense Pact 16:38 Trump Addresses TikTok Safety Concerns, Potential Buyers 17:22 TikTok to Lay Off Hundreds of Staff in UK 18:40 Pandora to Close About 100 Stores in China 19:44 Microsoft Scales Back Chinese Access 20:24 SpaceX Launches Military Spaceplane X-37B 21:09 India Successfully Test-Fires Agni 5 Missile

Source: U.S. Allies Going Big on Defense against China, Taiwan Pres. Vows 5% of GDP | China in Focus

Iran seized a Chinese-owned tanker carrying Iranian oil in the Gulf of Oman. Analysts say the move may point to internal disputes over control of the country’s oil exports. Could Washington and Beijing find common ground on Iran, Taiwan, and trade? We map out the fault lines between the world’s two largest economies—and what to expect from the upcoming summit. Taiwan is passing a $25 billion special defense budget after months of infighting between its two major parties. Here’s why some lawmakers say the budget weakens Taiwan’s defense. A flag-raising ceremony in a Canadian town drew a warning letter from the Chinese embassy to the mayor. The mayor informed police and went ahead with the flag-raising anyway. 00:00 Intro 01:24 Iran Seizes Chinese-Owned Tanker Carrying Iranian Oil 02:54 Chinese-Linked Tankers Facing Disruption in Hormuz 03:31 A Crowded Agenda: Iran, Taiwan, AI, and Trade 03:59 U.S. Presses China to Keep Strait of Hormuz Open 04:46 China Demands U.S. Scale Back Taiwan Arms Sales 05:28 Tariff Truce Holds, President Trump Wants ‘Stability’ 06:14 WH: China Stealing U.S. AI Tech at Industrial Scale 06:49 Rare Earths Remain Beijing’s Sharpest Economic Weapon 07:02 100+ House Members Urge Trump to Fight for Jimmy Lai 07:16 Summit Goal Is Stability, Not a Breakthrough: Experts 08:10 Taiwan Passes $25B Special Defense Budget 09:56 UK Summons China’s Ambassador After Spying Conviction 10:44 Ontario Mayor Raises Falun Dafa Flag Amid CCP Pressure 12:21 Chinese Threat Letter Fails to Silence Mayor 14:58 State Shield CEO on How States Are Combating the CCP 15:36 States Target Chinese Spy Networks in U.S. 19:27 States Move to Block Chinese Land Purchases

Source: Iran Seizes Chinese Tanker With Iranian Oil | China in Focus

For nearly six months, Xi Jinping barely left Beijing. Then suddenly, he reappeared in Shanghai — surrounded by an unusually massive political entourage. Officially, the trip was about science and innovation. But many Chinese observers believe it was something far more serious: a political emergency tied to growing internal tensions inside the CCP. From Xi’s tense appearance to the strange atmosphere of the visit, and the shocking sentencing of former defense ministers Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe, this episode may reveal a leader who no longer feels fully secure.

Source: Xi Jinping’s Strange Shanghai Trip Triggered New Power Rumors

Living in China for so long, we would like to share some of the comparisons that we have found between China and the west, and shed some light on the situation. Every week, we take you to a new place in China on our bikes, cover a topic, and reply to your questions.

Source: China Really Hates Foreigners!

Source: The Most Shocking China Story I’ve Seen So Far This Year | China’s 150 Trillion Crisis | Taiwan