Year: 2026

US Chipmaker Micron says it has signed a letter of intent to buy a Powerchip Semiconductor (PSMC) facility in central Taiwan’s Miaoli County for US$1.8 billion, eyeing a boost to computer memory production amid a global shortage. The company expects the deal to close by mid-year, with significant production by the second half of 2027. The move follows a strong run in Micron shares after TSMC’s earnings update and after Micron broke ground on its New York megafab earlier this month.

Venezuela relied on Chinese and Russian military tech, yet it failed to stop the US capture of Maduro. What message does this send to the world, specifically to Taiwan? Join our discussion.

Two US Navy vessels passed through the Taiwan Strait on Thursday and Friday in the first crossings since US President Donald Trump met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November.

Taiwan scores big as tariffs drop to 15 percent, with some goods now duty-free. It is also partnering with the United States on artificial intelligence. In exchange, Washington has secured an additional $500 billion in investments.Canada is lowering tariffs on some Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) in exchange for modest relief from economic pressures. But trade with China comes with complications, including demands from Chinese leader Xi Jinping.Twenty-six people have been indicted in a game-fixing scheme in men’s college basketball. Authorities say it started with rigged games in China, then expanded to NCAA games in the U.S.China unveiled new equipment designed to target Starlink terminals and disrupt internet signals. Could this be preparation for an invasion of Taiwan?Military presence in Greenland has expanded. Some European countries are sending soldiers there. Which country are they targeting?00:00 Intro01:03 US Gets $500B Taiwan Investment for 5% Tariff Cut03:21 Canada, China Slash EV, Canola Tariffs to Reset Ties05:16 CIA Recruiting Chinese Spies06:11 26 People Charged in Scheme to Rig NCAA Games07:48 China Unveils Portable System to Jam Starlink08:53 US Approves $1.5B Proposal for Naval Base in Peru10:13 Some European Nations Send Troops to Greenland12:27 Why President Trump Wants US Control of Greenland15:11 ‘Are You Dead?’ Chinese ‘Loneliness’ App Removed16:12 Why the ‘Are You Dead’ App is Going Viral in China17:00 Growing Scrutiny Over China-Linked Online Scam Ads

The Chinese Communist Party’s most prized “rare earth card” is no longer effective.On January 12, Japan’s research vessel, the Chikyu, set sail from Shimizu Port in Shizuoka Prefecture, heading toward the waters near the remote island of Minami-Torishima, located about 1,900 kilometers southeast of Tokyo. The vessel is embarking on a one-month deep-sea rare earth exploration mission.

The arms race is a key part of the U.S.-China confrontation. Recently, the U.S. has taken multiple actions to strike back at China for stealing American military technology.On January 12, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that former U.S. Navy sailor, Jinchao Wei, also known as Patrick, was sentenced to 200 months in prison after being convicted of espionage. He was involved in a conspiracy to send defense information to Chinese officials.

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 Introduction00:26 Rhodium Report: Growth Bet Won’t Pay Off 04:20 Rare Cross-Border Basketball Fixing Scandal 07:36 China’s Trade Surplus Reshapes Global Capital Flows

As winter sets in, Chinese cars exported to Russia are facing serious issues. Russian media reports that these vehicles, which dominate the Russian car market, are now being dubbed “mobile coffins.”

As protests erupt in Iran and Venezuela, Beijing quietly shifts into crisis mode. This program reveals how the Chinese Communist Party monitors foreign unrest, activates early-warning systems, and moves to prevent external political shocks from echoing inside China.Behind closed doors in Zhongnanhai, these crises revive a core CCP fear: the collapse of the Soviet Union. From real-time embassy reporting to tightened media control and pre-emptive domestic management, Beijing’s response exposes deeper fractures at the top of the regime.As Xi Jinping’s authority weakens and elite consensus breaks down, foreign crises begin intersecting with internal power struggles—and with quiet preparations for a post-Xi future.Watch to understand why Iran matters to China, who is really making decisions in Beijing, and what these signals reveal about the CCP’s next phase.

The New York Times reports that on two occasions in December and January, thousands of Chinese fishing boats grouped together in the East China Sea. Analysts say the unusual formation could be a test of using civilian vessels in coordinated military efforts. While it may not be enough to form a blockade, their presence could disrupt American military operations.

Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae is moving forward with snap elections in the lower house, vying for the chance to win her Liberal Democratic Party a majority. She’s taking advantage of boosted approval ratings, as she’s held a firm stance despite mounting Chinese pressure in retaliation for her comments on Taiwan.

Maduro’s capture wasn’t about drugs. It wasn’t even about oil. It was about China. For years, Beijing used Venezuela to expand its influence, intelligence, and power in the Western Hemisphere. Trump’s move didn’t just take down a dictator—it sent a message directly to the CCP. Here’s what everyone else is missing.

China’s northeastern region, once called the nation’s “eldest son” for being the country’s industrial backbone, now posts the country’s lowest birth rates, the highest divorce rates, and sharply rising mortality. Over the past decade, the combined permanent population of the three northeastern provinces has declined by more than 11 million.

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 Introduction00:18 Land Use Sales Revenue Collapse05:44 China Escalates Japan Tensions10:06 South Korea-China

#InsightfulChina #USMilitary #AirDefenseSystems #Radar #Venezuela At 3:29 AM on January 3rd, Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro and his wife, dressed in their pajamas, were captured alive by US forces in their fortified residence and taken to the United States. What shocked the world was that Venezuela’s Chinese-made JY-27 “anti-stealth” radar, which it had invested heavily in and heavily deployed over a long period, as well as its Russian-made S-300 air defense system, showed no response to the US operation.

China’s relations with the Global South have been thrust into the spotlight following the US special operation in Venezuela that captured President Nicolás Maduro. As China is one of Venezuela’s largest economic and political partners in Latin American, other developing countries awaiting how Beijing reacts to this act of brazen US aggression against its so-called “all-weather” friend. What do these developments mean for China’s other allies and trading partners? And what are the lessons for Taiwan? In this episode, we examine China’s economic and political links with the Global South and the implications for the Taiwan Strait.

China just can’t convince anybody that Taiwan is their territory, especially Japan!

Living costs are rising across Taiwan in 2026, with cafe chain Louisa Coffee raising prices about 5% on several items starting Wednesday, citing higher raw material, labor and electricity costs. Taiwanese PC maker ASUS is also increasing prices due to supply chain pressure.

In late December 2025, a comic convention in Hangzhou banned all Japanese manga IPs and cosplay, highlighting the deepening rupture in China-Japan relations—the most severe since 1972. This move backfired spectacularly, boosting Japanese Prime Minister Takamichi Sanae’s approval rating to a historic 67.5–75%.Japanese society now views China primarily as a security threat, with over 70% supporting a hardline stance. This consensus is accelerating Japan’s strategic decoupling: major firms like Mitsubishi, Nissan, Honda, Canon, and Sony are exiting China, pulling supply chains with them. Satellite companies—20,000 to 24,000—face collapse, threatening millions of jobs in manufacturing hubs.The exodus ends the “flying geese” model of economic interdependence. With profitability plummeting and geopolitical risks rising, Japan’s withdrawal is permanent. Beijing’s aggressive tactics have only strengthened Japan’s resolve, leaving little room for reversal.

In this episode, Sal Mercogliano — a maritime historian at Campbell University (@campbelledu) and former merchant mariner — discusses the boarding and seizure of M/T Marinera and why the long pursuit along with the taking of M/T M Sophia.#supplychain #venezuela #marinera #bella1 #MSophia #sanctions 00:00 Introduction 07:02 How the US Could Have Seized Marinera 10:59 Seizure of M Sophia in the Caribbean12:36 What does this mean going forward?

China is ordering its banks to review billions in Venezuela-linked loans after Washington’s capture of Nicolás Maduro, reflecting rising concerns over geopolitical shocks to lenders.China’s economic growth slowed to its weakest pace in six months last December.Maduro pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism charges at his first New York court appearance on Monday. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump issued a stern warning to Venezuela’s interim leader, Delcy Rodriguez, saying she would “face a situation probably worse than Maduro” if she failed to “do what’s right.”The United States’ capture of Venezuela’s Maduro is sparking debate over whether Beijing could attempt something similar against Taiwan’s president.South Korea’s president is visiting China this week, hoping to boost ties and economic cooperation. How will negotiations play out? A geopolitical expert breaks it down.00:00 Intro01:33 China Orders Banks to Assess Venezuela-Related Loans03:26 China’s December PMI Hits the Slowest Point: Survey06:05 Maduro Pleads Not Guilty to Drug and Weapons Charges09:27 Switzerland Freezes Maduro and Associates’ Assets09:57 Venezuela Orders Police to Arrest U.S. Operation Supporters10:28 Trump Issues Stern Warning to Interim Venezuelan Leader12:24 U.S. Ambassador Defends Maduro Capture at U.N.13:59 Experts Debate Whether Beijing Could Capture Taiwan’s President17:30 China, S. Korea Seek to Boost Ties Amid Regional Tensions18:51 China–S. Korea Dialogue | Analysis

Since Xi Jinping began his third term, China’s military has been shaken by an unprecedented purge. Open-source tracking shows that around 69% of active-duty PLA full generals have been removed, expelled, or placed under investigation. This program breaks down who has fallen, who remains, and what recent promotion ceremonies quietly revealed—empty seats, frozen promotions, and single-digit survivors. What does this level of turmoil mean for Xi’s control of the military and China’s stability?

Foreign investment in Taiwan has reached record highs, with total holdings exceeding US$320 billion and US$37 billion in inflows in 2025. TaiwanPlus spoke with Alan Tseng, Executive VP of The Capital Group, to explore the factors behind the surge and its implications for Taiwan’s economy and outlook.

China says it is banning exports of dual-use items to Japan that can serve military purposes, saying the move is in response to Japanese Prime Minister’s Takaichi Sanae’s comments in November about a possible intervention in a Taiwan contingency.

India and China may be talking about easing tensions—but what’s happening in the Himalayas tells a very different story.India is spending billions of dollars carving tunnels through mountains, building roads at extreme altitudes, expanding airbases, and preparing its military for rapid deployment along the disputed Line of Actual Control. From the massive Zojila tunnel to new helipads and high-altitude airstrips, New Delhi is racing to fix a hard lesson learned during the deadly 2020 border clashes: China can move troops far faster than India could.Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party has been building villages, bridges, radar systems, and military infrastructure right up to the border—turning remote terrain into a strategic advantage. While diplomats talk about détente, both sides are quietly preparing for the possibility of another clash.In this episode of China Uncensored, we break down why India is transforming the Himalayas into a frontline, how China’s border strategy is driving the arms race, and why peace with the CCP remains fragile at best.

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.

Western media and economists often misread China’s economy as a normal market facing temporary adjustments, offering standard fixes like boosting consumption or imports. They overlook the CCP’s core principle: everything must remain under absolute control, pursuing a super-market status that distorts prices and evades external constraints.This obsession with control—through state advances, private retreats, and over-securitization—has rigidified the economy, killed private sector vitality, and created overcapacity, balance-sheet recession, and unfair distribution. Consumption and imports are illusions under political dominance; the CCP views efficiency as secondary to security.Trade surpluses fund geopolitical influence, not public welfare. Resource misallocation favors inefficient state firms. China’s economy isn’t just struggling—it’s locked in a self-destructive cycle where political control trumps market logic, leading to long-term stagnation and inevitable conflict with the global market.

At the start of 2026, a significant event unfolded in South America that will be remembered in history. The U.S. military launched a lightning operation against Venezuela, successfully capturing President Maduro and his wife. They were swiftly transported to New York for trial. In one night, Venezuela underwent a drastic change, sending shockwaves through authoritarian regimes around the world. This included Xi Jinping, who had been supporting Maduro’s government.After the Maduro incident, it’s highly likely that this will trigger heightened security measures from the Chinese Communist Party. Reports suggest Beijing is now on high alert.

What began as protests over inflation and living costs in Tehran has turned into nationwide political unrest. But why are people in China watching Iran so closely? Because beneath the surface, the two systems are strikingly similar. This episode breaks down how Iran and China function as ideological regimes, why economic collapse destroys belief, and how youth despair, social coldness, elite withdrawal, and historical nostalgia signal danger. Iran may look distant—but its crisis reveals warning signs now visible inside China.

In the final days of 2025, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) staged some of its largest-ever maritime drills near Taiwan. Dubbed “Justice Mission 2025” and accompanied by Chinese propaganda denouncing “Taiwan Independence separatists” and “external forces”, the drills were intended to simulate a blockade of Taiwan. It was latest in a series of attempts by the Chinese Communist Party to coerce and pressure the Taiwanese people and their democratically elected government. But what did these drills actually accomplish? Based on the nonchalant response of the Taiwan public, the answer appears to be: not much. In this episode, we discuss the latest PLA drills, China’s pressure campaign against Taiwan, and the effect (or lack of) that it is having on Taiwan’s government and society.

On 3rd January, the U.S. military conducted a cross-border operation to capture Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro. While Venezuelans celebrated this development, the mood in China was quite different, with some expressing deep dismay.

00:00 Introduction00:23 China Reacts To Venezuela Strikes 03:42 Telescope Innovations06:36 Property Crisis: An Updated Deep Dive

In the final days of 2025, the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) staged some of its largest-ever maritime drills near Taiwan. Dubbed “Justice Mission 2025” and accompanied by Chinese propaganda denouncing “Taiwan Independence separatists” and “external forces”, the drills were intended to simulate a blockade of Taiwan. It was latest in a series of attempts by the Chinese Communist Party to coerce and pressure the Taiwanese people and their democratically elected government. But what did these drills actually accomplish? Based on the nonchalant response of the Taiwan public, the answer appears to be: not much. In this episode, we discuss the latest PLA drills, China’s pressure campaign against Taiwan, and the effect (or lack of) that it is having on Taiwan’s government and society. Host: Ethan LiuProducer: Tina Hsu Our guests: Shen Ming-shih Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) Research Fellow Raymond Sung Taiwan National Security Institute Board Member Chapters:00:00:00 – China’s Drills Fail To Intimidate00:01:24 – What Did PLA Exercise Accomplish?00:13:32 – China Uses Pressure, Force00:17:33 – Taiwanese Unfazed by Threats

The CCP’s military exercises near Taiwan have never been so aggressive. What are they planning? And how close are they to the real invasion?

US strikes in Venezuela are fueling debate over whether the operation could set a precedent for other conflicts, including a potential Chinese move against Taiwan. TaiwanPlus spoke with Bonnie Glaser, managing director of the Indo-Pacific program at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, who says Beijing is unlikely to alter its strategy toward Taiwan based on events elsewhere.