Author: Zhang

Japan’s decision to remove key weapon systems from JS Sendai, an Abukuma-class destroyer escort, before its expected transfer to the Philippine Navy has raised major questions across the Indo-Pacific security community. Why would a modern warship be handed over without its primary weapons—and what does this move really signal about Japan’s defense strategy, export laws, and regional deterrence?In this video, we provide a deep-dive military and geopolitical analysis explaining why JS Sendai was disarmed, what systems were removed, and how this transfer fits into the rapidly evolving Japan–Philippines defense partnership. This is not just about a single ship—it reflects a broader shift in regional security dynamics, especially amid rising tensions in the West Philippine Sea and the wider Indo-Pacific.🔍 What We Break Down in This Video:• Which weapons and combat systems were removed from JS Sendai• Why Japan cannot legally export fully armed warships• How Japan’s post-war defense restrictions still shape modern policy• What capabilities the ship retains despite being disarmed• How the Philippine Navy could re-arm or repurpose the vessel• What this transfer means for maritime security and regional balance• How China and other regional powers may interpret this moveWhile JS Sendai may arrive without missiles or advanced strike systems, its hull, propulsion, sensors, and command infrastructure still provide significant value for training, patrol, surveillance, and future upgrades. For the Philippines, this transfer represents a strategic stepping stone toward naval modernization, rather than a simple hardware acquisition.From Japan’s perspective, this move allows Tokyo to support a regional partner without violating its strict arms export framework—while still sending a strong political and strategic signal about cooperation, stability, and shared security interests.

Laffer Tengler Investments CEO and CIO Nancy Tengler reviews her successful ‘5 for ’25’ stock picks, introduces her ‘6 for ’26’ picks and more on ‘Making Money.’#geopoliticalshock #chinataiwan #marketrisk #investing #stockmarket #nancytengler #makingmoney #foxbusiness

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida’s course of remilitarizing the country has sparked significant controversy and concern, with critics arguing that it poses serious security implications for the Indo-Pacific region and contravenes the provisions of the United Nations Charter, specifically Article 107. Kishida’s recent policies reflect a notable shift in Japan’s defense strategy, long characterized by a pacifist orientation rooted in the post-World War II constitution and the Three Non-Nuclear Principles. This strategic pivot, which includes substantial increases in defense spending, a broader military role, and intensified joint military exercises with the United States, has raised alarms both domestically and internationally.This episode has been researched by our friend and podcast editor James! Check out his channel here / @drivenmental

China is loudly backing Venezuela at the UN amid rising tensions with the US—but not because it cares about Maduro. It’s because America seized a tanker carrying Chinese oil. So now the CCP is crying “unilateral bullying” while pretending this is about international law. Here’s what’s really behind China’s sudden concern for Venezuela.

Reviewing the year in Taiwan, from political divides to unity in the face of national tragedies. Forget about generative AI, come to TaiwanPlus to get the full story on Taiwan.

The U.S. Navy’s Underwater Threat China Can’t Track or Stop is reshaping the balance of power beneath the oceans. This video reveals why America’s Virginia-class submarine remains nearly invisible to modern Chinese anti-submarine warfare systems, despite massive investments in sensors, patrol aircraft, and seabed surveillance.Operating at extremely low acoustic levels, these U.S. Navy submarines exploit undersea warfare advantages that China still cannot counter. From the South China Sea to the Western Pacific, advanced acoustic stealth, pump-jet propulsion, and superior naval technology allow U.S. submarines to detect threats first — and strike without warning.We break down how this underwater threat China can’t track or stop impacts China Navy vs U.S. Navy planning, why passive detection claims fall short in real ocean conditions, and how American military technology continues to dominate the silent domain.As China builds more submarines, the United States builds quieter, smarter, and deadlier ones. In modern naval power competition, whoever controls the deep controls deterrence itself.#USNavy, #VirginiaClass, #ChinaNavy, #UnderseaWarfare, #MilitaryTechnology, #NavalPower, #SubmarineWarfare, #SouthChinaSea, #WesternPacific, #Geopolitics, #DefenseNews, #ModernWarfare, #StealthTechnology, #NavalStrategy, #militaryanalysis

China’s military is facing its most serious internal crisis in decades. After the purge of the Rocket Force and the downfall of Xi Jinping’s key political allies inside the Central Military Commission, the crackdown has now spread to the PLA Air Force. Senior commanders have disappeared, died while under investigation, or vanished from public view, pointing to a force being dismantled from the top down. This program then turns to Taiwan, where a deadly knife attack in central Taipei shocked the public on the same day political tensions surged over an impeachment move against President Lai Ching-te. By examining the attack’s strange timelines, missing evidence, and unanswered questions, the program explores how internal military collapse in China may coincide with rising political pressure and social shock in Taiwan — suggesting not preparation for open war, but a shift toward other methods.

Taiwan helped power the world’s tech boom in 2025, but it’s still navigating an increasingly contested global landscape. Under constant pressure from China, can Taiwan find the space not only to endure, but to thrive in 2026 – and maintain its critical role as a global tech hub? On this edition of #CorrespondentsOnTaiwanPlus, Reuters Taiwan Bureau Chief Ben Blanchard and CommonWealth Magazine Senior Managing Editor Silva Shih share the stories they’ll be watching in 2026. Hosted by Andrew Ryan. 00:00 – Intro 01:47 – Biggest stories for Taiwan in 2025 03:22 – Reporting from Taiwan’s frontline with China 05:10 – Making sense of a fading buffer zone 07:11 – Defense budget still a key issue in 2026 08:06 – What to expect from Han Kuang drills in 2026 10:46 – APEC in China: Where does Taiwan stand? 13:12 – Japan-China row over Taiwan: What’s next? 15:12 – 2026 Elections: What’s at stake for Taiwan 19:59 – Key domestic issues for Taiwan in 2026 20:43 – Taiwan’s hidden gems to visit in 2026 24:03 – Hopes for journalism in 2026Editor’s note: This episode was recorded on December 16, 2025.#TaiwanPlus #TaiwanPlusNews #TaiwanNews #Taiwan #LookAhead #2026 #Trump #Tariffs #TSMC #semiconductor #China #HanKuang41 #TaiwanDefense #DefenseBudget #TaiwanStrait #MediaLine #DadanIsland #JapanChina #2026Elections #DomesticConcerns #LittleMynamar #Matsu #Journalism2026

The U.S. seized two more oil tankers in waters near Venezuela. One, fully loaded with oil, was bound for China, while the other had previously been used to transport oil to China.A Chinese researcher at Indiana University has been charged with smuggling E. coli bacteria from China into the U.S. illegally.Japan is stepping up efforts to increase its defense budget amid escalating Chinese military aggression, plus pressure from Washington.Recently leaked footage from 30 years ago shows a Chinese general refusing Beijing’s order to fire on Tiananmen protesters in 1989. He lost his freedom for the rest of his life, but remained a hero in the eyes of many.Gold prices hit a record high—countries are quietly building up their reserves amid rising geopolitical tensions.00:00 Intro01:15 U.S. Seizes China-Bound Oil Tanker03:36 Chinese Researcher Charged for Smuggling E. Coli04:53 Japan Fast-Tracks Military Spending Increase06:28 Japan Reaffirms No-Nuclear Policy, China Fires Warning06:53 Video Goes Viral: Chinese General’s Refusal to Kill09:40 China Replaces Heads of Two Key Combatant Commands10:22 Countries Stockpile Gold Amid Global Tensions12:11 UK Gov’t Confirms Foreign Office Hacked Two Months Ago15:03 China Hits EU Dairy Products With Duties Up to 42.7:35 How Well Do Americans Recognize Cultural Marxism?19:36 Reconnecting With Traditional American Culture

Legal and political strategist Katie Zacharia joins ‘Mornings with Maria’ to break down rising tensions with China, the Pentagon’s warning on Beijing’s military buildup and President Donald Trump’s strategy on tariffs, trade and global security.

China made something that royally backfired. Millions of people who are unified…

China has intensified its rhetorical campaign against Japan, accusing PM Takaichi Sanae of reviving the wartime militancy of Imperial Japan. Among other narratives, China is now challenging Japan’s sovereignty over the islands of Okinawa, formerly known as Ryukyu. Beijing has simultaneously pushed for Okinawan independence, while promoting a farfetched claim that the islands are historically part of China. Meanwhile, a survey found that trust in Japan was higher than trust in China in all Southeast Asian nations. Why is Beijing focused now on this island chain northeast of Taiwan? Are these claims falling flat? And what did Takaichi actually say about Taiwan that set off China’s latest burst of aggression? In this episode, we discuss Beijing’s propaganda, the history of Okinawa, Takaichi’s remarks, and what it means for the Taiwan Strait and the Indo-Pacific region. *Recorded on December 19, 2025 at 2pm Taiwan Standard Time Host/Senior Producer: Yin Khvat Guests:Lai I-chung Prospect Foundation PresidentPeter Mattis The Jamestown Foundation President Chapters:00:00:00 – China Ups Its Anti-Japanese Rhetoric00:01:10 – Why Is Beijing Focusing on Okinawa?00:06:20 – China’s Farfetched Claim to Okinawa00:14:21 – Does China Have a Trust Problem in SE Asia?00:22:26 – What Did Takaichi Really Say About Taiwan?#ChinaJapanRelations #JapanTaiwanRelations #USTaiwanRelations #TakaichiSanae #XiJinping #PeoplesLiberationArmy #PLA #PLANavy #ChinaCoastGuard #IndoPacific #Grayzone #GrayzoneTactics #ChinesePropaganda #ChineseCommunistParty #CCP #PeoplesRepublicofChina #PRC #JapanSelfDefenseForces #JapaneseNavy #Ryukyu #RyukyuIslands #Okinawa #OkinawanIslands #OkinawanIndependence #RyukyuIndependence #Misinformation #Disinformation #JapaneseHistory #ChineseHistory #ASEAN #SoutheastAsia #Trustworthiness #TrustGap #TrustSurvey #TaiwanTalks #TaiwanPlus

China voiced deep concern on Dec. 19 after reports that a senior Japanese security official suggested acquiring nuclear weapons as a deterrent, stressing it was a personal view. The remarks come amid rising Japan-China tensions over Taiwan.00:00 – INTRODUCTION02:44 – JAPAN ‘MUST DO DEEP SOUL-SEARCHING’04:03 – CHINA’S MILITARY BUILD-UP ‘THREATENS’ JAPAN#china #japan #nuclearweapons #regionaltensions #eastasia #taiwan #defence #security #geopolitics #cruxcollabwithcnn

China’s extensive land reclamation campaign on the Spratly Islands created permanent, hardened military bases on seven coral reefs starting in 2013. Discover the true strategic gains of this massive undertaking, which lie less in kinetic firepower and more in achieving unparalleled Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage and robust logistical sustainment. These artificial islands function as critical forward operating bases, allowing the China Coast Guard (CCG) and maritime militia to refuel and resupply, drastically expanding their operational endurance and enabling a sustained presence in the disputed South China Sea. Recent upgrades (2023–2025) have focused on enhancing Electronic Warfare (EW) systems and ISR radomes, demonstrating a strategy focused on information dominance and contesting the use of the electromagnetic spectrum by others. Furthermore, the bases host infrastructure for permanent Anti-Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) capabilities, including Surface-to-Air Missiles (SAMs), Anti-Ship Cruise Missiles (ASCMs), and facilities for fighter aircraft, effectively projecting Chinese military power across the disputed waterway.Chapters:00:00 Intro00:20 A Clash At Sea02:02 From Reef to Fortress03:32 The Kill Zone04:48 Grey Zone Warfare06:03 A Hardening Alliance#china #southchinasea #maritimedefense

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 US Approves Record Arms Deal For Taiwan03:36 TikTok Sega Finally Concludes 06:57 Promoting ‘Native Police Dogs’08:52 MetaX & China AI Bubble?

Why does Beijing believe it can afford a war over Taiwan? This episode breaks down the debate surrounding Xi Jinping’s decision on war — examining six core reasons the CCP may be willing to risk military conflict, set against five major risks that argue against it. From regime legitimacy and internal power struggles to control of the Taiwan Strait, the analysis ultimately comes down to the numbers: war economics. Using a clear, data-driven framework, it explains how China’s wartime economic model prioritizes regime survival over growth — and why economic collapse alone may not deter Beijing from choosing war.

Made in China toys are telling kids to burn down their houses. Hong Kong is officially dead after Apple Daily’s Jimmy Lai is sentenced. And China attacks the Philippines yet again! That and more on this week’s China news headlines.

Why is it happening all at once? The streets are exploding, and buildings too. What is happening?

Nuclear reactors that use thorium as fuel have many advantages over those that use uranium. Thorium is common and easy to mine, its waste is safer to handle, and the material also can’t be used as easily in weapons. Recently, a team of scientists from China announced a breakthrough in their thorium reactor project – let’s take a look at just what they’ve done and what the rest of the world is doing for developing thorium nuclear reactors.

China Insights delivers sharp, data-driven analysis of China’s politics, economy, and society.We connect the dots behind breaking headlines — from Beijing’s power shifts to global market trends — helping viewers understand the real forces shaping modern China.

Please join the CSIS Defense and Security Department on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at 1:00 pm ET, for a virtual discussion with David R. Shedd, former Deputy Director and Acting Director of the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), on his new book, The Great Heist: China’s Epic Campaign to Steal America’s Secrets. The book examines how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has carried out one of the largest-scale thefts of intellectual property, technology, and data in history.Mr. Shedd will sit down with Dr. Seth G. Jones, president of the Defense and Security Department, to discuss how China has carried out the biggest illegal transfer of capital, technology, and data in history over the past 30 years. They will discuss how the Chinese government-backed espionage to clone and steal American technology and economic power across many industries, including military equipment, microchips, and telecommunications.

In this video, I explain why calling Taiwan an “internal Chinese issue” isn’t neutral, isn’t diplomatic, and definitely isn’t about peace. It’s the most dangerous narrative in geopolitics today — one that quietly removes the legal, political, and alliance barriers preventing a war.This isn’t about provocation. It’s about framing. And once the framing is lost, the timing of war becomes a scheduling decision.

Gatestone Institute senior fellow Gordon Chang discusses China’s military moves near Taiwan, its 700% A.I. IPO surge, and new demands in the Panama Canal port negotiations as U.S.–China tensions intensify. #foxbusiness #morningswithmaria

China desperately tries to counter American tariffs and it’s not going very well for them!

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 Introduction00:13 Tech War: Huawei’s “Manhattan Project”04:19 Meta’s China Scams Allegations 07:07 Hainan Free Trade Port 09:18 Housing Market Censorship Intensifies

Two Politburo members disappear from key meetings, corruption probes spread through elite circles, and Xi Jinping’s inner camp shows signs of strain. Why are Ma Xingrui and Li Xi suddenly in trouble? Is anti-corruption turning inward? This episode breaks down the signals coming from Beijing — and why many believe Xi’s power is being challenged from within.

The United States is moving forward with its largest ever arms sale to Taiwan—$11.1 billion—aimed at countering Beijing’s growing military threats.Taiwan is making a major change to its combat readiness. Its military can now immediately respond to any sudden attack from China instead of waiting for orders from above.A new report says Meta made billions from fraudulent ads linked to China in 2024. How did Meta manage it?Shen Yun Performing Arts is launching its 2026 global tour, with Europe as its first stop.The Chinese Communist Party has been trying to suppress the group for 20 years. Here’s what a principal dancer said in response: “They’re spending their time and effort to repress us. That means we are doing something very, very right.”The U.S. government has collected one billion dollars in new tariff revenue after closing a key shipping loophole—the so-called de minimis rule. Chinese eCommerce giants like Temu and Shein had been exploiting it to undercut competitors.00:00 Intro01:38 U.S. Approves Largest-Ever Arms Sale for Taiwan03:30 China Could Build a Military Base in Taiwan If Taken05:02 Taiwan Adjusts Defense to Respond to Sudden China Attack06:51 Report: Meta Permitted Fraudulent Ads From China09:20 Meta’s Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp Banned in China14:47 Shen Yun Kicks Off 2026 Tour in Europe15:27 CBP: $1B Collected Since End of De Minimis Loophole16:03 How Temu, Shein Exploited the U.S. De Minimis Rule16:43 Chinese Firms to Pay $7M to Settle DOJ Allegation18:38 Report: China Exploits U.S. Funds to Advance Nuclear Program20:26 Lawmakers Scrutinize Intel Over Its China Ties21:32 Airstrike Kills Four Alleged Narco-Terrorists

This comprehensive strategic assessment examines the unprecedented militarization of space and the three-way competition for orbital dominance between the United States, China, and Russia. Presented in congressional intelligence briefing format, this analysis explores China’s systematic development of anti-satellite weapons, Russia’s deployment of nuclear-powered space platforms, and America’s response through military space doctrine and private sector partnerships with companies like SpaceX. The briefing covers satellite warfare capabilities, lunar resource competition, space-based solar power systems, GPS warfare scenarios, and the integration of artificial intelligence with autonomous space weapons that could trigger conflicts beyond human control. Through detailed examination of Chinese space militarization strategies, Russian asymmetric space warfare doctrine, American space defense challenges, and the emerging threat of orbital debris cascades, this assessment addresses fundamental questions about maintaining space superiority while preventing conflicts that could destroy space-based infrastructure essential for global civilization and determine which nations control Earth’s orbital environment and lunar resources for generations to come.

In today’s show: US State Department Announces US$11.1 Billion Arms Sale to Taiwan China Sends 40 Planes, 8 Ships Near Taiwan as US Arms Deal Announced South Korean Court Sentences 3 Contractors Connected to Taiwan’s Haikun Sub Opposition Parties Aim To Impeach Premier, President for Not Countersigning Bill Hsinchu Mayor Kao Hung-an Submits Reinstatement Papers, Says She’s “Back To Work” Japanese Prime Minister Says Diplomatic Dialogue Door Still Open for China Japan Could Be Panda-less as Loaned Animals Set To Return With No Replacements Lai Proposes Foreign Caregivers Law but Some Parents, Labor Groups Have Doubts📹 Anchor: Yvonne Yang#TaiwanPlus #TaiwanPlusNews #TaiwanNews-

Beijing declared victory.Then reality hit.China just posted a $1 trillion trade surplus, yet key economic indicators are deteriorating across the board — collapsing consumption, falling investment, and a property market still in free fall.So how is this “success” achieved?By manipulating the currency, suppressing wages, and forcing Chinese households to subsidize the rest of the world — hollowing out domestic demand in the process.Using China’s own official data and reporting from the Wall Street Journal, I break down why this model isn’t strength — it’s forced endurance — and why the cracks are now impossible to hide.Watch to the end. The numbers don’t lie.

00:00 Introduction00:23 Chinese Economy: Crashing To 25 Year Low05:05 Chinese Economy II: Consumption Wishes & Woes 07:38 Demographic Decline: Free Childbirth Policy 10:15 China vs Panama Canal Ports Deal

An international tea competition in France was disrupted when unidentified hecklers in the audience objected to Taiwan’s flag being shown on a screen.