Podcasts about Taiwan Strait

WORLD: UK Navy patrol ship sails through Taiwan Strait | June 20, 2025Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.netFollow us:Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebookInstagram - https://tmt.ph/instagramTwitter - https://tmt.ph/twitterDailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotionSubscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digitalSign up to our newsletters: https://tmt.ph/newslettersCheck out our Podcasts:Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotifyApple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcastsAmazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusicDeezer: https://tmt.ph/deezerStitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein#TheManilaTimes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"Chinese Amphibious Warfare" edited by Andrew Erickson, et al., Naval War College, China Maritime Studies Institute, 2024.“China Maritime Studies Institute” home page. https://www.andrewerickson.com/, the home page of Dr. Andrew Erickson, one of the editors and contributors to Chinese Amphibious Warfare. Invasion Plans: Operation Causeway and Taiwan's Defense in World War II, by Ian Easton, China Maritime Studies  Institute, Naval War College, 2024. China's New Navy: The Evolution of the PLAN from the People's Revolution to a 21st Century Cold War, by Xiaobing LiMao's Army Goes to Sea, by Toshi Yoshihara Bio: Dr. Andrew S. Erickson is Professor of Strategy (tenured full professor) in the U.S. Naval War College (NWC)'s China Maritime Studies Institute (CMSI). A core founding member, he helped establish CMSI and stand it up officially in 2006, and has played an integral role in its development; from 2021–23 he served as Research Director. Erickson is currently a Visiting Scholar in full-time residence at Harvard University's John King Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies, where he has been an Associate in Research since 2008. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the Institute of Maritime Policy & Strategy's International Advisory Committee, and the Japan-America Society of Southern New England and Japan-America Navy Friendship Association (JANAFA)-Newport's Board of Directors. Erickson serves on the editorial boards of Naval War College Review and Asia Policy and is a Contributing Editor at 19FortyFive. Twitter

In this conversation, Aadil Brar and Saheb Singh Chadha examine how China's strategic behavior across the India-China border, Taiwan Strait, and South China Sea reflects a broader effort to create regional influence and redefine border security under Xi Jinping. Aadil explains how Beijing frames these actions as issues of national sovereignty, using military presence and political rhetoric to entrench its claims.They explore the “chain reaction” thesis, which suggests that China prepares for simultaneous tensions on multiple fronts in anticipation of external responses—especially in the event of a Taiwan contingency. This perspective, Aadil argues, helps explain China's sustained activity along the LAC.The discussion also delves into China's efforts to normalize military exercises around Taiwan, making it harder to distinguish military exercises from wartime operations. While these tactics project strength, they may also be prompting diplomatic recalibration as China confronts the strategic consequences of its assertiveness.Episode ContributorsAadil Brar is a TV reporter for TaiwanPlus News based in Taipei. Prior to this, he was the China News Reporter for Newsweek and wrote columns for The Print India. His experience includes working with the BBC World Service and National Geographic, covering topics such as international affairs, geopolitics, environmental conservation, and border conflicts. In 2016, he received the National Geographic Young Explorer Grant.Saheb Singh Chadha is a senior research analyst in the Security Studies Program at Carnegie India. His research focuses on China's foreign and security policies, India-China relations, and India's military modernization. He is broadly interested in the geopolitics of South Asia and the Indo-Pacific.Additional ReadingsViews From Taipei: Essays by Young Indian Scholars on China by Vijay Gokhale, Suyash Desai, Amit Kumar, and Aadil Brar Every two weeks, Interpreting India brings you diverse voices from India and around the world to explore the critical questions shaping the nation's future. We delve into how technology, the economy, and foreign policy intertwine to influence India's relationship with the global stage.As a Carnegie India production, hosted by Carnegie scholars, Interpreting India, a Carnegie India production, provides insightful perspectives and cutting-edge by tackling the defining questions that chart India's course through the next decade.Stay tuned for thought-provoking discussions, expert insights, and a deeper understanding of India's place in the world.Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a review to join the conversation and be part of Interpreting India's journey.

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened down 107-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 22,362 on turnover of 5.1-billion N-T. The market closed higher on Wednesday, as it broke through stiff technical resistance ahead of the 240-day moving average of 22,300 points. That came on the back of extended gains for Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing and amid investor optimism over US-China trade talks. Ma Ying-jeou to attend Straits Forum in China Former President Ma Ying-jeou is slated to attend the 17th Straits Forum in the Chinese city of Xiamen early next week. According to the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation, he will be leading a group of students from the Da Jiu Academy to the event as part of a two-week trip to China. Foundation C-E-O Xiao Xu-cen says after attending (出席) the forum, Ma and the students will travel to Gansu Province for a series of cultural activities and to learn about the Silk Road. Xiao says the visit is aimed at reducing hostility (敵意) across the Taiwan Strait by showing people on both sides the willingness of young people to engage and interact with each other. New tropical depression forms near Philippines The Central Weather Administration says it's monitoring a tropical depression that formed yesterday evening east of the Philippines. It's currently located some 500-kilometers southeast of Eluanbi at the island's southernmost tip and moving in a north-northwesterly direction at 33-kilometers-an-hour. The weather administration says the weather pattern is moving towards Taiwan. It's forecast to bring thunderstorms or heavy rain to much of the island. SAfrica Flooding Leaves Dozens Dead A weather front brings rain, snow, and now deadly flooding to South Africa. The AP's Jennifer King reports. Kosovo US Agreement to Accept Migrants Kosovo says it has agreed to a request from the United States to temporarily accept up to 50 third-country migrants a year. The Balkan country's government said “over the course of a year, up to fifty individuals may be temporarily relocated, with the aim of facilitating (促進) their safe return to their home country." Immediately upon returning to office in January, President Donald Trump started plans for mass deportation to make good on campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration. It was not clear when Washington made the request or whether it made similar (相似的) requests to other countries in the region. Japan Princess Visits Brazil Japan's Princess Kako of Akishino, a niece of Emperor Naruhito, was welcomed by Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva at a private ceremony. The younger daughter of Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko is at the tail end of her 11-day trip to the South American nation. The princess also spoke before lawmakers at Congress, and thanked Brazilians for hosting (當宿主) Japanese immigants for more than a century. Her trip also marks the 130th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 「親家JIA」19-27坪，全新落成，坐擁大安核心門牌。 350公尺達忠孝復興站，直通市府、機場、車站，850公尺接建國高架。 四大百貨、綠廊公園環繞，七分鐘生活圈涵蓋大潤發與市場，便利質感兼具。 城市菁英嚮往的私藏寓所，首選「親家JIA」，即刻入主 02-2772-6188。 https://sofm.pse.is/7qjm4b -- 新鮮事、新奇事、新故事《一銀陪你聊“新”事》 第一銀行打造公股銀行首創ESG Podcast頻道上線啦 由知名主持人阿Ken與多位名人來賓進行對談 邀請您一起落實永續發展 讓永續未來不再只是想像 各大收聽平台搜尋：ㄧ銀陪你聊新事 https://sofmstg.pse.im/7qekew -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

For review:1. As of Sunday AM, the activist humanitarian aid vessel (Madleen) is roughly 160 nautical miles from Gaza. Israeli Defense Minister Katz said Sunday that he had instructed the Israel Defense Forces to “prevent the ‘Madelaine' hate flotilla from reaching the shores of Gaza.” 2. Israeli outlet Channel 12 reports that documents found during IDF operations in Gaza show a close effort between Qatar and Hamas to thwart US President Donald Trump's “deal of the century” peace plan for Israel and the Palestinians and efforts for Arab countries to normalize relations with the Jewish state. 3.  The IDF and Shin Bet confirm that the body of Hamas leader Muhammad Sinwar was found in a tunnel that ran underneath the European Hospital in southern Gaza's Khan Younis. 4. Iran Claims "Treasure Trove" of Israeli Sensitive Documents.  Iranian Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib said the documents were related to Israel's nuclear facilities and its relations with the United States, Europe, and other countries, and to its defensive capabilities. 5. Russian Ministry of Defense claims elements of the 90th Tank Division have reached the border of the town of Dnipropetrovsk (Donetsk Region).  News outlet CNN is unable to verify the battlefield reports, and Ukraine has denied the Russian advance. 6. German Taurus Missiles to Ukraine?  A statement from German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on May 26 about long-range strikes inside Russia resurrected a long-held hope in Ukraine — that Berlin is finally about to send Kyiv its Taurus missiles.  (There has so far been no confirmation of actual delivery of Taurus to Ukraine.)7.  Taiwan on Friday condemned Beijing's “provocative” actions after it conducted a "combat readiness patrol" around the island. Taipei's defense ministry said it detected 21 Chinese military aircraft, including fighters and drones, of which 15 crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait.8.  Chinese FC-31 Warplanes to Pakistan "Within Months".  A Pakistani government source told Janes outlet, that the FC-31 aircraft “will begin arriving within months.” The source did not provide further acquisition details, but it was previously reported that China could supply 30 to 40 jets to Pakistan. 9.  The USMC has received its final MQ-9A Reaper from General Atomics. The USMC currently have three air stations manning the drones, located in Arizona, Hawaii, and North Carolina. 

On this week's GZERO World Podcast, Ian Bremmer sits down with Bonny Lin, director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, for a look at one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the world: the Taiwan Strait. China has been conducting drills around Taiwan for years, but since the current pro-independence president, William Lai, took office in 2024, Beijing has been staging near-daily military exercises near the island–larger, louder, and more aggressive than ever before.Lai has pledged to boost defense spending, strengthen ties with the US, and reduce Taiwan's economic dependence on China. But Lai faces serious political headwinds at home. His party lost its majority in parliament, and he'll have to navigate a deeply divided government to get anything done. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping says reunification with Taiwan is a national priority and has made it clear Beijing won't hesitate to take the island by force if necessary. The stakes are global: A war in the Strait would reshape the world economy, drag in major powers, potentially triggering the deadliest military conflict in the Asia-Pacific since World War II. So how far can China push, and how long can Taiwan hold out, before a crisis becomes inevitable?Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Bonny Lin Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.

On this week's GZERO World Podcast, Ian Bremmer sits down with Bonny Lin, director of the China Power Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, for a look at one of the most dangerous flashpoints in the world: the Taiwan Strait. China has been conducting drills around Taiwan for years, but since the current pro-independence president, William Lai, took office in 2024, Beijing has been staging near-daily military exercises near the island–larger, louder, and more aggressive than ever before.Lai has pledged to boost defense spending, strengthen ties with the US, and reduce Taiwan's economic dependence on China. But Lai faces serious political headwinds at home. His party lost its majority in parliament, and he'll have to navigate a deeply divided government to get anything done. Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping says reunification with Taiwan is a national priority and has made it clear Beijing won't hesitate to take the island by force if necessary. The stakes are global: A war in the Strait would reshape the world economy, drag in major powers, potentially triggering the deadliest military conflict in the Asia-Pacific since World War II. So how far can China push, and how long can Taiwan hold out, before a crisis becomes inevitable?Host: Ian BremmerGuest: Bonny Lin Subscribe to the GZERO World with Ian Bremmer Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your preferred podcast platform, to receive new episodes as soon as they're published.

As U.S.-China tensions escalate across trade, security and geopolitics, both countries appear locked in a strategic competition with global consequences. In this episode, Director of the RAND China Research Center Jude Blanchette and Professor of Finance at the Shanghai Advanced Institute of Finance (SAIF) at Shanghai Jiao Tong University Zhu Ning join host Kevin Kajiwara to explore the economic and geopolitical dynamics shaping Beijing's long-term strategy—and Washington's response. From China's evolving trade posture and domestic stimulus efforts to rising risks in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, this conversation examines what's driving the relationship today and what it could mean for global markets, supply chains and long-term stability.

ROK  David Maxwell, vice president of the Center for Asia Pacific Strategy, on this: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/rethinking-south-koreas-naval-strategy-for-a-taiwan-strait-contingency/ @GORDONGCHANG, GATESTONE, NEWSWEEK, THE HILL

The United States and China reached a 90-day truce in the trade war when their representatives met in Geneva in early May. Both sides agreed to temporarily roll back tariffs and non-tariff trade barriers. President Trump announced that a “total reset” in US-China relations had been achieved. Beyond the hyperbole, the two sides agreed to establish a mechanism on economics and trade and launch negotiations to address trade imbalances and other problems. Whether a deal is reached, what it might look like, and what it might include, remains to be seen. The future trajectory of US-China relations, overall, is still unclear.This episode highlights a Chinese perspective on the US-China bilateral relationship, including on the recent trade talks and the factors that will influence US-China relations going forward. Sun Chenghao, a fellow and head of the U.S.-Europe program at Tsinghua University's Center for International Security and Strategy (CISS), and council member of the Chinese Association of American Studies joins host Bonnie Glaser for this episode.  Timestamps[00:00] Start[01:39] What does Trump want from China? [04:29] What view does Dr. Sun hold?[05:00] Assessing the US-China Geneva Talks[09:21] Feasibility of a Broad US-China Trade Deal[13:23] Implications of Trump's “Unification” Comment[16:46] Importance of the Strategic Channel[20:47] Declining America, Rising China[23:27] Shift in US Policy Toward Alliances[27:49] The Future of US-China Relations

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Tai-Ex opened up 77-points this morning from yesterday's close, at 21,603 on turnover of 2.3-billion N-T. The market closed flat on Tuesday as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing saw its early gains eroded due to stiff resistance ahead of the critical 1,000 N-T per share mark - despite the opening of Computex in Taipei. Lai calls Beijing an 'aggressor' that threatens peace President Lai Ching-te has marked the first anniversary of his taking office by holding a press conference during which he accused Beijing of being an "aggressor" by threatening peace across the Taiwan Strait. However, despite branding China as an "aggressor," Lai also reiterated his openness to continuing exchanges and collaborations with China provided that each side treats the other equally and with respect. According to Lai, he remains willing to "engage in dialogue instead of confrontation" and work with China toward peace and prosperity. Lai also told reporters that many countries, including Taiwan, are under the threat of aggressors - but Taiwan is, on the contrary, committed to pursuing (追求) peace. CDC reporting 88% rise in COVID outpatients and emergency visits The Centers for Disease Control is reporting an 88.2-per cent weekly increase in the number of COVID outpatient and emergency visits last week. According to the C-D-C, there were 19,097 outpatient and emergency visits from between May 11 and 17. Although that figure is up from the previous week, it was still lower than same period of last year. C-D-C Deputy Director-General Philip Luo says the current COVID outbreak will peak in mid-to-late June, when weekly outpatient and emergency visits reach between 55,000 and 65,000 and it will continue through the end of July. SA president to meet Trump on Wednesday amid deteriorating relations South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is due to meet his US counterpart Donald Trump today. The crunch talks come amid ideological (思想) differences, geopolitical alliances, and domestic policy conflicts. Kate Fisher reports from Washington UN Sounds Warning on Colombia Indigenous Groups The United Nations human rights office in Colombia says that five Indigenous groups in northern Colombia's mountain range face “physical and cultural” extinction. The UN says this threat stems from armed group conflicts over their territory and insufficient (不足的) state protection. Colombia's representative for the UN High Commissioner for Human Right says the risk of physical and cultural extinction of Indigenous People of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta is “an ongoing (持續存在的) tragedy that we can and must prevent.” He urged the Colombian government to protect the Indigenous groups, whose combined population is approximately 55-thousand people. In 2022, UNESCO added the ancestral knowledge of these Indigenous groups to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 【台灣虎航 台中獨家直飛名古屋】 開航價$2,399元起，中台灣虎迷每週3班直飛名古屋，說走就走！ 立即訂購：https://sofm.pse.is/7nee2y -- －挺你所想！與你一起生活的銀行－ 中國信託銀行APP超越大升級， 眾多好用功能，力挺你的金融需求！ 趕緊註冊行動銀行，就送OPENPOINT100點。 立即點擊連結看活動詳情～ https://sofm.pse.is/7nlk82 -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

Episode Summary: Join us to learn more about the latest developments in Chinese airpower and spacepower developments. Heather Penney and Mike "JDAM" Dahm discuss a wide range of topics, including an update on China's 6th generation fighters and recent PLA exercises in the Taiwan Strait. They discuss what is happening with more missing PLA generals and dynamics between Xi Jinping and Vladamir Putin. The INDOPACOM Commander Admiral Paparo just testified on the Hill about China's military and the PLA just released a new national security white paper. We also explore Chinese fighter performance in the recent conflict between Pakistan and India. Credits: Host: Heather "Lucky" Penney, Director of Research, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Producer: Shane Thin  Executive Producer: Douglas Birkey Guest: J. Michael "JDAM" Dahm, Senior Resident Fellow for Aerospace and China Studies, The Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies Links: Subscribe to our Youtube Channel: https://bit.ly/3GbA5Of Website: https://mitchellaerospacepower.org/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/MitchellStudies Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Mitchell.Institute.Aerospace LinkedIn: https://bit.ly/3nzBisb Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchellstudies/ #MitchellStudies #AerospaceAdvantage #China #Russia

China and Colombia have signed a cooperation plan under the Belt and Road Initiative (1:05). The Chinese mainland has called on people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to work together to uphold national dignity (14:09). U.S. President Donald Trump has signed billions of dollars of deals during his ongoing trip in the Middle East (21:50).

In this week's episode of China Insider, Miles Yu discusses China-Holy See relations following the announcement of Pope Leo XIV, and China's historical policy record regarding religious freedom. Second, we revisit United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 and its varied interpretations from both sides of the Taiwan Strait, as the People's Republic of China seeks to legitimize the One China principle in international forums. Lastly, Miles unpacks China's historical role in the India-Pakistan conflict and the impact of Chinese military modernization efforts on the recent kinetic exchange in Kashmir.]China Insider is a weekly podcast project from Hudson Institute's China Center, hosted by China Center Director and Senior Fellow, Dr. Miles Yu, who provides weekly news that mainstream American outlets often miss, as well as in-depth commentary and analysis on the China challenge and the free world's future.

Newt discusses the potential crises between China and Taiwan with Dr. Weifeng Zhong, a senior advisor at the America First Policy Institute and an affiliate scholar at the Mercatus Center. Dr. Zhong leads the open-source Policy Change Index project, which uses AI and machine learning to analyze propaganda texts and predict government actions. Their conversation explores the Chinese Communist Party's attitude towards Taiwan, the role of propaganda in shaping public sentiment, and the implications of China's domestic challenges on its foreign policy. Dr. Zhong highlights the importance of monitoring changes in propaganda to understand Beijing's intentions and discusses the potential impact of economic weakness on China's approach to Taiwan. They also discuss the use of AI in analyzing North Korean propaganda and the broader implications of Chinese technology in global surveillance. Dr. Zhong's insights provide a nuanced understanding of the geopolitical dynamics in the Taiwan Strait and the role of AI in predicting potential conflicts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can China use military force to achieve its political goals, without triggering nuclear war? To find out, ChinaTalk interviewed Fiona Cunningham, a professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania and author of the new book, Under the Nuclear Shadow: China's Information-Age Weapons in International Security. Co-hosting today is Michael Horowitz, another Penn professor who served in Biden's Department of Defense. We discuss… How to use open source PLA documents to conduct deep research, The evolution of Chinese defense strategy, including the impact of the third Taiwan Strait crisis, Nuclear modernization and China's “no first use” policy, How the PLA makes decisions, including why they chose to develop cyber capabilities, anti-satellite weapons, and hypersonic missiles over proposed alternatives. Outtro Music: Beauty by Gui Bian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTlfSOCwYJ8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can China use military force to achieve its political goals, without triggering nuclear war? To find out, ChinaTalk interviewed Fiona Cunningham, a professor of Political Science at the University of Pennsylvania and author of the new book, Under the Nuclear Shadow: China's Information-Age Weapons in International Security. Co-hosting today is Michael Horowitz, another Penn professor who served in Biden's Department of Defense. We discuss… How to use open source PLA documents to conduct deep research, The evolution of Chinese defense strategy, including the impact of the third Taiwan Strait crisis, Nuclear modernization and China's “no first use” policy, How the PLA makes decisions, including why they chose to develop cyber capabilities, anti-satellite weapons, and hypersonic missiles over proposed alternatives. Outtro Music: Beauty by Gui Bian https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rTlfSOCwYJ8 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Often called “China's Titanic,” the 1949 sinking of the Taiping claimed over 1,000 lives as desperate refugees fled Shanghai for Taiwan. Forty-five years later, another tragedy struck: 24 Taiwanese tourists were brutally murdered during a pleasure cruise on China's Qiandao Lake. The deaths and the clumsy, heartless Chinese cover-up caused outrage in Taiwan. In this episode, Formosa Files is revisiting two haunting shipping disasters that reveal the human cost of war, exile, and political mistrust across the Taiwan Strait.  We put a lot of effort into our WEBSITE... that's the place to go for “show notes.” Each episode page is crammed with as much extra info, pics, links, maps, and other info we can find. Make sure to check out FORMOSA FILES DOT COM !

As China increases its ‘grey zone' pressure, can Taiwan defend its sovereignty without sparking open conflict? In this episode of Global Security Briefing, host Neil Melvin speaks with Dr. Philip Shetler-Jones, RUSI Senior Research Fellow for Indo-Pacific Security, Sze-Fung Lee an independent researcher specialising in Chinese hybrid warfare, and Dr. Jyun-yi Lee, Associate Research Fellow at Taiwan's Institute for National Defense and Security Research to examine how Taiwan is confronting the growing coercive pressure from China, a pressure which falls just below the threshold of war. Drawing on a new RUSI report, they explore what grey zone tactics are, how Taiwan is responding, and what lessons can be shared between Europe and the Indo-Pacific. With rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait, this episode asks: Can grey zone threats be deterred – and how close are we to open conflict? This episode is brought to you as part of our Indo-Pacific Security Programme, under which our research on the grey zone and lawfare receives sponsorship from the Taipei Relations Office in London.

https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/4/5/n14475655.htm

https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/4/5/n14475655.htm

"Strait Thunder-2025A", that's the code name of the ongoing military exercises conducted by the Chinese People's Liberation Army in the middle and southern areas of the Taiwan Strait. The PLA Eastern Theater Command made the announcement hours ago on Wednesday, a day after launching joint military exercises around the island on Tuesday. China's State Council Taiwan Affairs Office said on Tuesday that the drills are a resolute punishment for Lai Ching-te authorities' blatant "Taiwan independence" provocations. What triggered the latest reactions from Beijing? What has Lai Ching-te said or done since he took office last May? How will the drills impact the situation across the Strait?

The Eastern Theater Command of the People's Liberation Army's joint training exercises around the Taiwan Strait serves as a stern warning to separatist forces attempting to disrupt peace in the Taiwan Strait and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, a Chinese mainland spokeswoman said on Tuesday.大陆发言人周二表示，解放军东部战区在台海周边展开联合演习训练，是对企图破坏台海和平、维护国家主权和领土完整的分裂势力的严厉警告。The Eastern Theater Command began inter-service combat exercises around Taiwan Island on Tuesday.东部战区周二开始在台湾岛周边举行跨军种实战演习。According to Zhu Fenglian, the spokeswoman for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, the drills are a resolute response to the provocative actions of the Lai Ching-te administration seeking "Taiwan independence".国务院台办发言人朱凤莲表示，演习是对赖清德当局谋“独”挑衅行为的坚决回应。She condemned Lai's persistent advocacy of a separatist stance, calling the mainland as "external hostile forces" and promoting the so-called "17 strategies" to counter the mainland, obstructing cross-Strait exchanges, and escalating tensions in the Taiwan Strait.她谴责赖清德执意鼓吹分裂立场，将大陆称为“外部敌对势力”，并推行所谓的“十七条战略”来对抗大陆，阻碍两岸交流，加剧台海紧张局势。"These behaviors solidified Lai's role as a disruptor of cross-Strait peace and a creator of Taiwan Strait crises, fully exposing his anti-peace, anti-dialogue, anti-democracy and anti-humanity nature," she said.“这些行为进一步坐实了赖清德作为两岸和平破坏者和台海危机制造者的角色，充分暴露了其反和平、反对话、反民主、反人类的本质。”朱凤莲表示。"In response, there will be no tolerance or leniency, but rather resolute countermeasures and strict punishment."“对此，我们绝不会姑息纵容，而是坚决反制、严厉惩处。”The spokeswoman emphasized that "Taiwan independence" means war and pursuing such a path would endanger the people of Taiwan.发言人强调，“台独”意味着战争，走这条道路只会危害台湾人民。The unwavering determination and unyielding capabilities to resolve the Taiwan question and achieve national reunification will not permit any individual or force to separate Taiwan island from China, leaving no room for any form of separatist activities, she said.她表示，中国政府解决台湾问题、实现国家统一的坚定意志和强大能力，不容任何人、任何势力把台湾岛从中国分裂出去，更不会给任何形式的分裂活动留下空间。It is crucial to note that the countermeasures are directed at separatist activities and not aimed at broader Taiwan compatriots, she added.她最后补充，需要注意的是，这些反制措施针对的是分裂活动，不针对广大台湾同胞。national sovereignty国家主权territorial integrity领土完整provocativeadj.挑衅的cross-Strait exchanges两岸交流countermeasuren.对策compatriotn.同胞

//The Wire//2300Z April 1, 2025////ROUTINE////BLUF: CHINA UNDERTAKES LARGE SCALE MILITARY EXERCISES IVO TAIWAN. BURMA EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY CONTINUES. TESLA ATTACKS REMAIN CONSTANT.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Far East: China has begun another series of military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, and in the waters surrounding Taiwan. Per the Chinese Ministry of Defense, this latest large-scale drill is largely serving as a "severe warning and forceful containment against Taiwan independence".Southeast Asia: Recovery efforts from the Burmese earthquake continue, as the widespread damage throughout the region becomes more apparent. So far the death toll has surpassed 2,719 victims, according to Myanmar's ruling military government. Humanitarian aid has been slow to flow into the region, and most areas hardest hit by the earthquake remain out of communication with the outside world. AC: Much of the region remains without electricity, which along with the communications outages, has complicated assessments of how bad this crisis truly is.-HomeFront-USA: The attacks on Tesla vehicles have continued to simmer, with limited increases in vandalism incidents in major cities. Following the uptick in these types of attacks, various supporter-protest movements (in support of Tesla and Elon Musk) have taken root as well. Many of these supportive-protests have also been met with counter-protests in most cases, sometimes resulting in clashes between groups. Over the weekend, a pro-Musk protester was intentionally struck by a vehicle of a counter-protester at a protest event in Idaho. The Meridian Police Department arrested the 70-year-old anti-Musk protester at the scene, and charged him with aggravated battery.New Mexico: The GOP Headquarters was firebombed over the weekend in Albuquerque. One of the entrances to the facility was destroyed by an improvised incendiary/explosive device early Sunday morning. Anti-ICE graffiti was spray painted at the scene by the assailants, who have not been identified.Indiana: Yesterday evening, a prominent cybersecurity and cryptography professor at Indiana University was fired after the FBI raided two of his residences under mysterious circumstances. XiaoFeng Wang, a well known crypto and cyber expert, remains missing following the searches.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments:While very few details of the Indiana incident have been released or even acknowledged, over the past few months, both the United States and China have been on a spy-hunting spree. 6x Chinese nationals were arrested in the Philippines a week ago for allegedly spying on US warships in Subic Bay. Two weeks ago, China sentenced one of their researchers (at an undisclosed educational institution) to death for spying.As such, it's possible that this is related to Wang's disappearance after the raids. Usually, rooting out spies is a tit-for-tat affair; the Chinese bag one of ours, and we get one of theirs (or at least try to). Of note, China has sentenced all of the spies they have caught to death, while the United States obviously does not.Outside the realm of espionage, more overt actions are being undertaken to beat the drums of war in the Pacific. Though the Chinese drills in the Taiwan Strait were not announced with much notice, the maneuvers so far are largely a continuation of the same posturing and training seen before. Over the past few years, China has been engaging in increasingly complex drills as their proficiency improves. In short, the training is working, and Chinese forces are learning and gaining significant experience in combined arms warfare. Of course, the unspoken factor of war remains extremely relevant regarding any potential military campaign in Taiwan...no plan survives first contact with the enemy. In other words, China can train all they want, b

Good afternoon, I'm _____ with today's episode of EZ News. Tai-Ex opening The Taiwan Stock Exchange's main index opened down 348.26 points at 21,254.63 on turnover of NT$8.79 billion. US and Japan defense chiefs take note of China's activates around Taiwan The defense ministers of the United States and Japan says they "took note" of military activities by China around Taiwan and reiterated their long-held support for maintaining peace across Taiwan Strait. The minister's comments come as U-S Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Japan on Sunday as part of his first trip to Asia since taking office During his meeting with Japan's Defense Minister Gen Nakatani, the two sides pledged (承諾的) to enhance their alliance and discussed China's growing military threats. An English-language press release issued by Japan's defense ministry said "the ministers confirmed their opposition to any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by force or coercion including in the East and South China Seas." Kenting guesthouse to be fined for exceeding price rise limit A guesthouse in Kenting National Park will be fined for violating price control rules. Local authorities found it had increased its room rate by almost 900-per cent for dates covering this week's long weekend Tomb Sweeping Day holiday. The guesthouse was found not only to be engaging in price gouging but also operating more rooms than permitted, with 15 rooms in use instead of the nine registered (注冊). The Pingtung County Bureau of Transport says the guesthouse faces fines of between 10,000 and 50,000 for price gouging and a fine of 40,000 for exceeding the allowed room count. The guesthouse has also been ordered to stop operations. Tonga quake A 7.0 magnitude earthquake has caused slight damage in Tonga and brief evacuations (疏散) before the threat of a tsunami passed. The temblor hit around 100km (62 miles) northeast of the main island early today… Julie Walker reports. Mideast Gaza The U.N. says Gaza's bakeries will run out of flour for bread within a week. Agencies have cut food distributions to families in half. Markets are empty of most vegetables. Many aid workers cannot move around because of Israeli bombardment (轟擊). Aid groups are trying to stretch out what little supplies they have as Israel's blockade of all food, medicine, fuel and other supplies into Gaza enters its fifth week. Palestinians are crowding free kitchens for prepared meals, amid fears of a catastrophic rise in hunger. Fuel and medicine will last some weeks longer before hitting zero. Pope Improvement Pope Francis has shown ‘'a truly surprising improvement'' since returning to the Vatican to convalesce… This… after surviving (倖存下來) a life-threatening bout with double-pneumonia. Trisha Thomas reports from Rome. That was the I.C.R.T. EZ News, I'm _____. －－－－以下訊息由 SoundOn 動態廣告贊助商提供－－－－ 福斯原廠認證中古車提供一站式購車安心保障 歐洲進口跨界休旅 The T-Cross 配備 Level 2 駕駛輔助系統 限時優惠 66.8 萬起再享一年原廠保固 試駕請洽璿豐汽車 03-3349555 https://sofm.pse.is/7d3l54 -- Hosting provided by SoundOn

WORLD: US to ensure 'deterrence' across Taiwan Strait | March 31, 2025Visit our website at https://www.manilatimes.netFollow us:Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebookInstagram - https://tmt.ph/instagramTwitter - https://tmt.ph/twitterDailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotionSubscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digitalSign up to our newsletters: https://tmt.ph/newslettersCheck out our Podcasts:Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotifyApple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcastsAmazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusicDeezer: https://tmt.ph/deezerStitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein#TheManilaTimesVisit our website at https://www.manilatimes.netFollow us:Facebook - https://tmt.ph/facebookInstagram - https://tmt.ph/instagramTwitter - https://tmt.ph/twitterDailyMotion - https://tmt.ph/dailymotionSubscribe to our Digital Edition - https://tmt.ph/digitalSign up to our newsletters: https://tmt.ph/newslettersCheck out our Podcasts:Spotify - https://tmt.ph/spotifyApple Podcasts - https://tmt.ph/applepodcastsAmazon Music - https://tmt.ph/amazonmusicDeezer: https://tmt.ph/deezerStitcher: https://tmt.ph/stitcherTune In: https://tmt.ph/tunein#TheManilaTimes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two months into U.S. President Donald Trump's second term, the U.S.-Chinese relationship—the most consequential one in the world by a long stretch—faces new uncertainty. Trump has threatened larger tariffs as China has continued its military buildup and activities in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea. But Trump has also focused his ire on allied capitals, rather than on Beijing, and talked about making a deal with his “very good friend” Xi Jinping. In a recent essay for Foreign Affairs, Jude Blanchette and Ryan Hass stressed the importance, and highlighted the challenge, of understanding the balance of power with America's top rival. The biggest risk, they argue, is not that Washington will underestimate China's strength, but that it will neglect the sources of its own. Blanchette runs the China Research Center at the RAND Corporation; Hass, a fellow at the Brookings Institution, long worked on China policy at the National Security Council and State Department. They joined editor Dan Kurtz-Phelan to discuss Beijing's assessment of American power, the prospects for a “grand bargain” between Trump and Xi, and whether fears of American decline risk becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy. You can find sources, transcripts, and more episodes of The Foreign Affairs Interview at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/foreign-affairs-interview.

Taiwan's first largest civil defence drill took place today in the Taiwan Strait, where Beijing's growing military capabilities and aggressive posture present a direct threat. 

Why Should We (and especially Taiwan) Care About China's New “Invasion Barges”?Defense expert Tom Shugart joins Ray and Jim to explain China's so-called “invasion barges”, which have recently gained wide attention exercising along China's coast. Tom explains how these barges are a significant leap forward for China's ability to carry out a Taiwan invasion.Tom explains how these barges would be used in an amphibious landing along Taiwan's famously inaccessible coastline, and how their design opens up options for China to overcome this obstacle.These barges highlight the need for Taiwan to bolster its defenses along its western coast and into the Taiwan Strait itself. This should also serve as a wake-up call to the United States, as its assumptions about China's military capabilities are rapidly growing obsolete.Tom also talks about his recent work highlighting the need for U.S. air base hardening against attack in the Indo-Pacific, as its large bases are now highly vulnerable to China's growing arsenal of stand-off weapons.A former submarine warfare officer, Tom also discusses the challenges faced by the U.S. shipbuilding industry to ensure its ability to meet America's own needs, as well as those for its ally Australia under the AUKUS agreement.Tom asserts that its new barges are further evidence that China can no longer be considered merely an imitator of America, but is now innovating in ways that are pushing its capabilities strongly forward.As the geopolitical consequences of a Chinese conquest of Taiwan would be profound for US alliances, rapid investment in defense infrastructure is critical for both the US and Taiwan.Follow Tom Shugart on X, @tshugart3.Follow us on X, @IndoPacPodcast; or on LinkedIn or BlueSky at our show title, Why Should We Care About the Indo-Pacific?Follow Ray Powell on X (@GordianKnotRay) or on LinkedIn. Follow Jim Carouso on LinkedIn.Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media, sharing news that matters on statecraft & instruments of national power. Follow IEJ Media on X (@iejmedia), and follow our producer Ian Ellis-Jones on X (@ianellisjones) or on LinkedIn. This podcast is sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.

馬祖 Mǎzǔ - Matsu (an archipelago near Taiwan)兩岸 liǎng'àn - both sides of the Taiwan Strait對岸 duì'àn - the opposite shore (mainland China in this context)集結 jíjié - to assemble, to gather兵力 bīnglì - military forces配備 pèibèi - to equip, equipment重型大炮 zhòngxíng dàpào - heavy artillery射程 shèchéng - range (of a weapon)覆蓋 fùgài - to cover, to span over島嶼 dǎoyǔ - islands戰鬥機 zhàndòujī - fighter jet防禦工作 fángyù gōngzuò - defense operations國軍 guójūn - national military (Taiwanese army)隨時警戒 suíshí jǐngjiè - to stay on high alert at all times修築 xiūzhú - to construct, to build防禦工事 fángyù gōngshì - defensive structures, fortifications預測 yùcè - to predict, to forecast攻打 gōngdǎ - to attack, to assault傍晚 bāngwǎn - evening, dusk出奇 chūqí - unexpectedly, surprisingly聲東擊西 shēngdōng jíxī - "create a diversion in the east and attack in the west" (a military strategy)戰略 zhànlüè - strategy中共 Zhōnggòng - Chinese Communist Party (CCP)假裝 jiǎzhuāng - to pretend, to feign攻打 gōngdǎ - to attack (repeated)金門 Jīnmén - Kinmen (an island near China controlled by Taiwan)戰場 zhànchǎng - battlefield高度戒備 gāodù jièbèi - high alert, heightened security砲擊策略 pàojí cèlüè - artillery strike strategy單打雙不打 dāndǎ shuāng bù dǎ - "fire on odd days, ceasefire on even days" (a bombardment strategy)每隔一天 měigé yì tiān - every other day發射 fāshè - to launch, to fire (a missile or shell)炮彈 pàodàn - artillery shell炮彈聲 pàodàn shēng - sound of artillery shells死神 sǐshén - the Grim Reaper, metaphor for death低語 dīyǔ - to whisper警告 jǐnggào - warning性命 xìngmìng - life擊中 jízhòng - to hit, to strike一戶人家 yí hù rénjiā - a household, a family不幸遇難 bùxìng yùnàn - to die tragically, to perish in an accident居民 jūmín - residents, inhabitants地雷 dìléi - landmine防止 fángzhǐ - to prevent敵軍 díjūn - enemy troops登陸 dēnglù - to land (military invasion)埋設 máishè - to bury, to install (mines)陷入 xiànrù - to fall into, to be caught in踩到 cǎi dào - to step on後果 hòuguǒ - consequence, outcome不堪設想 bùkān shèxiǎng - unimaginable, disastrous consequences誤踩 wùcǎi - to accidentally step on喪生 sàngshēng - to lose one's life, to perish生存法則 shēngcún fǎzé - survival rule遺跡 yíjì - historical site, relicWant to improve your Chinese?

海上自衛隊の護衛艦「あきづき」が２月上旬に台湾海峡を通過していたことが分かった。 The Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force's destroyer Akizuki passed through the Taiwan Strait in early February, government officials said Saturday, in an apparent move to counter China's aggressive behavior in the East China Sea and South China Sea.

E-ling Chiu is theExecutive Director at Amnesty International Taiwan. where RightsCon2025 is currently underway. She is also a Board Member on the Human Rights Network for Tibet and Taiwan. We talk with her about some of the issues facing this small island including cable cutting, the death penalty and the impact of having such a powerful neighbour as China just across the Taiwan Strait.

00:00 Intro01:41 US, Russian Officials Meet for Talks on Ukraine War03:14 How Does China Read Trump's China Strategy?04:06 Trump's Larger Foreign Policy Objectives with Russia07:58 US Navy Ship Surveys the Taiwan Strait for 3 Days08:56 China Loses $168B in Foreign Direct Investment11:10 Chinese Residents Witness, Mourn Rising Death Cases15:10 Report: Salt Typhoon Still Trying to Breach US Networks16:08 S. Korea Alleges Deepseek Shared Data with ByteDance17:20 Cook Islands Pact with China Sparks Uproar18:37 Son of Jailed Hong Kong Media Mogul Pleads for Help20:29 Expert on Alliances Between Iran, China, Russia

How has Chinese hegemony shaped power relations in East Asia? Why did imperial China conquer Tibet and Xinjiang but not Vietnam or Korea? Can learning from history help maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait? Today's interview begins with one shocking truth — while medieval Europe suffered under near-constant war, East Asia's Middle Ages were defined by great power peace. To discuss, ChinaTalk interviewed Professor David C. Kang, director of the Korean Studies Institute at USC and co-author of Beyond Power Transitions: The Lessons of East Asian History and the Future of U.S.-China Relations. We discuss… How East Asian nations managed to peacefully coexist for centuries, Why lessons from European history don't always apply in non-European contexts, Why wars begin and how they can be avoided, How to interpret outbreaks of violence in Asia — including conflicts with the Mongols, China's meddling in Vietnam, and Japan's early attempts at empire, State behaviors that cannot be explained by power transition theory alone, Whether the Thucydides trap makes U.S.-China war inevitable, Old school methods for managing cross-strait relations. Co-hosting today is Ilari Mäkelä of the On Humans podcast. Outro music: 荒城の月 "The Moon over the Ruined Castle" by 滝廉太郎 Rentarō Taki (Youtube link) Cover photo of a Song Dynasty axe-wielding god https://dragonsarmory.blogspot.com/2016/12/song-chinese-armor-in-religious.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

How has Chinese hegemony shaped power relations in East Asia? Why did imperial China conquer Tibet and Xinjiang but not Vietnam or Korea? Can learning from history help maintain peace in the Taiwan Strait? Today's interview begins with one shocking truth — while medieval Europe suffered under near-constant war, East Asia's Middle Ages were defined by great power peace. To discuss, ChinaTalk interviewed Professor David C. Kang, director of the Korean Studies Institute at USC and co-author of Beyond Power Transitions: The Lessons of East Asian History and the Future of U.S.-China Relations. We discuss… How East Asian nations managed to peacefully coexist for centuries, Why lessons from European history don't always apply in non-European contexts, Why wars begin and how they can be avoided, How to interpret outbreaks of violence in Asia — including conflicts with the Mongols, China's meddling in Vietnam, and Japan's early attempts at empire, State behaviors that cannot be explained by power transition theory alone, Whether the Thucydides trap makes U.S.-China war inevitable, Old school methods for managing cross-strait relations. Co-hosting today is Ilari Mäkelä of the On Humans podcast. Outro music: 荒城の月 "The Moon over the Ruined Castle" by 滝廉太郎 Rentarō Taki (Youtube link) Cover photo of a Song Dynasty axe-wielding god https://dragonsarmory.blogspot.com/2016/12/song-chinese-armor-in-religious.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The world economy is still globalised, at least for the moment. But superpower rivalry and the decay of global rules and norms mean that geopolitical tensions are deepening and global maritime trade is being caught in the crossfire, both literally and figuratively. Some of this is happening in plain sight. In the Red Sea, the Houthis redirected maritime trade and the combined naval forces of Europe, the US, UK and Israel were unable to convince the majority of global shipping that freedom of navigation had been maintained. In the Baltic, coastal states are publicly threatening to detain ships considered to be an environmental or security threat as a shadow-war of pipeline and cable sabotage plays out beneath the waves. Strategic choke points from the Arctic to the Panama Canal are subject to daily diplomatic spats, and harassment of merchant shipping in the Taiwan Strait, the Black Sea and the South China Sea is now considered so routine that incidents are barely reported. Behind closed doors, meanwhile, a legal and diplomatic war is being waged to redefine the very concept of international rules that allow ships to trade internationally. Trade lanes on the oceans are a contested zone for the first time since the Cold War. The very concept of freedom of navigation — a legal principle that states that ships from any country have the right to sail freely in international waters — is under attack. Over the course of a special two-part podcast Lloyd's List editor-in-chief Richard Meade takes a wider look at what this means for shipping. Is freedom of navigation, a fundamental principle of the law of the sea and a pillar of modern international law, something we have just quietly given up on? Featuring: Dominick Donald, geopolitical risk analyst and adviser to the joint war risks committee at Lloyd's Ian Ralby, chief executive of consultancy IR Consilium Kristina Siig, Professor of Maritime Law and Law of the Sea, University of Southern Denmark. Professor II of Maritime Law, Scandinavian Institute of Maritime Law, University of Oslo, Norway

Retired Australian Army Major General Mick Ryan–author of three recent books on the future of warfare–joins our hosts Ray Powell and Jim Carouso to discuss how autonomous weapons (drones) are challenging our military assumptions, and their implications for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific. Mick draws lessons from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and asserts that drones don't necessarily mean the obsolescence of current inventories of manned weapon systems, but will require significant cultural and organizational changes to integrate them into our strategies, tactics and force structure. Mick considers the U.S. “Replicator” project to field drones at high volume, and the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's notion of turning the Taiwan Strait into a drone “hellscape” for any potential invasion. He also talks about how developing countries can leverage inexpensive drone technology to level the playing field against larger aggressors.If you enjoyed this conversation, don't forget to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts so you won't miss an episode! Your subscription also helps us reach more people on these important Indo-Pacific topics.You can also follow Mick Ryan's substack, Futura Doctrina, a conversation about technology, ideas, people and their convergence in contemporary war and competition. Also covering issues related to the war in Ukraine, Chinese aggression against Taiwan and Indo-Pacific defence.Our podcast is produced by IEJ Media, sharing news that matters on statecraft & instruments of national power.Sponsored by BowerGroupAsia, a strategic advisory firm that specializes in the Indo-Pacific.

In this week's podcast Mike Burke meets up with Matt Gertken to discuss some of the rumours currently circulating around the Chinese Communist Party. They discuss the economic problems of the CCP, the potential for its collapse, changes in Chinese leadership and the future of the Taiwan Strait.  Matt is the Chief Strategist for both BCA Research Geopolitical Strategy and US Political Strategy services, where he oversees our coverage of market- relevant policy developments in the US and worldwide. Matt served as a Senior Analyst at Strategic Forecasting, Inc. (Stratfor) and in multiple academic and publishing roles. Matt has 18 years of experience in the field and appears frequently in global news media. Matt holds an MPhil from the University of Cambridge and a PhD from the University of Texas at Austin.

Seventy years ago, the seeds of discord were sown in the South China Sea—and the Seventh Fleet helped stave off the escalation to a full-scale shooting war. In this Naval History episode of the Proceedings Podcast, Eric Mills talks with Navy Lieutenant Commander Thomas J. Cutler about his article in the December issue of Naval History.

The United States' relationship with China has scarcely been so contentious. Over the last several years, the two powers have butted heads over issues including trade and technology, Russia's war on Ukraine, and Beijing's belligerence in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait. Nicholas Burns has helped oversee Washington's response to these rising tensions. Burns has served as U.S. ambassador to China since 2022, the capstone of a four-decade career in the foreign service that has included posts as ambassador to NATO and Greece, State Department undersecretary for political affairs and spokesperson, and on the National Security Council staff on Soviet and Russian affairs. He has been in the room for some of the most consequential moments in recent U.S. foreign policy history: the fall of the Soviet Union, the 9/11 attacks, and now, the intensifying U.S.-Chinese competition. Two years after his first conversation with editor Dan Kurtz-Phelan, Burns, in his final days as ambassador, looks back on the Biden administration's approach to managing the relationship at this critical moment—and reflects on the need for diplomacy in the rivalry that may define the twenty-first century. You can find sources, transcripts, and more episodes of The Foreign Affairs Interview at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/foreign-affairs-interview.

As 2025 gets into gear, all eyes are on the year ahead, with a degree of trepidation (or excitement, depending on whom you ask) for the early impacts of the incoming Trump administration on U.S.-China relations, and global politics at large. From the Ukraine war to possibility of conflict across the Taiwan Strait, not to mention economic and diplomatic conflict across the Pacific, it's a fresh era of uncertainty.To unpack these risks, our guest this month is the academic and author Oriana Skylar Mastro, whose research focuses on Chinese military policy and Asia-Pacific security. She is Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University, a scholar at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. Her most recent book, Upstart: How China Became a Great Power (Oxford University Press, 2024), tells the story of China's rise and it's military modernization, as well as the challenge that presents to the U.S. She talked about China's switch from emulation to entrepreneurship; her thoughts on relations with China under Trump; and why she thinks war over Taiwan is unlikely in the next four years.The China Books Podcast is a companion of China Books Review, a project of Asia Society's Center on U.S.-China Relations and The Wire, a digital business platform that also publishes The Wire China. For any queries or comments, please write to editor[at]chinabooksreview.com.

In his 2025 New Year address, President Xi Jinping expressed his expectation for both sides of the Taiwan Strait to work together toward a shared and prosperous future. In recent years, cross-Strait relations have grown increasingly complex. To better understand the trajectory of the evolving dynamics, host Liu Xin spoke with Wu Jung-yuan, chairman of Taiwan's Labor Party, the island's prominent left-wing party. What mark has history left on him? And how does he perceive the current state of cross-Strait relations?

China appears to have ended 2024 on a high note, quietly unveiling its sixth-generation stealth fighters during their maiden test flights over Sichuan on 26 December, coinciding with Mao Zedong's 131st birth anniversary. This advancement signals China's potential for airpower superiority and self-sufficiency, despite continued restrictions on technology transfers. As tensions persist in the South China Sea, East China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, China's military progress is likely to provoke an arms race and stimulate further technological development. The real question remains whether these advancements will act as a deterrent or indicate the potential for a larger conflict on the horizon. Read the column here: Read the column here: https://theprint.in/opinion/eye-on-china/chinas-6th-gen-fighter-jets-can-provoke-an-arms-race-the-us-is-now-upstaged/2426121/

In the four years since U.S. President Joe Biden took office, the geopolitical landscape has radically changed. Russia's invasion of Ukraine brought war back to Europe. Hamas's October 7 assault on Israel sparked a widening conflict in an already chaotic Middle East. And Chinese aggression in the Taiwan Strait has refocused attention on the Indo-Pacific as a possible theater of combat. Through it all, Secretary of State Antony Blinken has been at the helm of U.S. foreign policy: shuttling between capitals, negotiating with allies and adversaries, and helping shape a vision for American engagement with the world—a vision he laid out in a recent essay for Foreign Affairs.  Now, on the eve of Donald Trump's return to office, Blinken reflects on the geopolitical challenges facing the United States today—and offers lessons from his own tenure for American foreign policy going forward. You can find sources, transcripts, and more episodes of The Foreign Affairs Interview at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/foreign-affairs-interview.

In China's 14th Five-Year Plan that spans from 2021 to 2025, priority was assigned to development of emerging technologies that could be both disruptive and foundational for the future. China is now a global leader in AI technology and is poised to overtake the West and become the world leader in AI in the years ahead. Importantly, there is growing evidence that AI-enabled military capabilities are becoming increasingly central to Chinese military concepts for fighting future wars.A recently released report provides insights on Chinese perspectives on military use of AI. Published by Georgetown's Center for Security and Emerging Technology (CSET), the report illustrates some of the key challenges Chinese defense experts have identified in developing and fielding AI-related technologies and capabilities. Host Bonnie Glaser is joined by the author of this report, Sam Bresnick, who is a Research Fellow at Georgetown's CSET focusing on AI applications and Chinese technology policy.  TimestampsB[00:00] Start[01:33] Impetus for the Georgetown CSET Report[03:34] China's Assessment of the Impacts of AI and Emerging Technologies[06:32] Areas of Debate Among Chinese Scholars[09:39] Evidence of Progress in the Military Application of AI[12:13] Lack of Trust Amongst Chinese Experts in Existing Technologies[14:25] Constraints in the Development and Implementation of AI[18:20] Chinese Expert Recommendations for Mitigating AI Risk[23:01] Implications Taken from Discussions on AI Risk[25:14] US-China Areas of Discussion on the Military Use of AI[28:50] Unilateral Steps Toward Risk Mitigation

//The Wire//2300Z December 11, 2024////PRIORITY////BLUF: CONCERNS GROW REGARDING NEW JERSEY AIRCRAFT SIGHTINGS. MAJOR CHINESE ACTIVITY REPORTED IN THE TAIWAN STRAIT. SYRIAN REBELS NOW CONTROL SIGNIFICANT STOCKPILES OF MANPADS.// -----BEGIN TEARLINE------International Events-Syria: Concerns are growing regarding the staggering amount of military arms that are now in the hands of HTS rebels throughout the country. Though Israel, Turkey, and the United States have bombed most military arms caches throughout the country, the al-Qaeda-linked “rebels” now control hundreds (if not thousands) of Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADs), tens of thousands of rockets, the entire Syrian Air Force, and the like. Far East: Concerns are also mounting regarding China's recent activities in the Taiwan Strait. Currently, China has declared extremely large scale naval exercises throughout the region, which have drawn concerns that this may actually be the prelude to a military invasion of Taiwan. As of this morning over 90 surface vessels have taken part in maneuvers in the waters surrounding Taiwan, with hundreds of aircraft also participating in exercises to some degree.AC: So far, the Chinese doctrine of camouflaging drills with legitimate invasion plans is working, and thus it's too soon to tell if China will indeed invade Taiwan. Considering the events in the Middle East, and the outgoing American administration, it is possible that China means to strike while the iron is hot. However, as previously noted following the rapid-pace of deteriorating events around the world, it would also be in China's best interest to flex their power in the region, without actually committing to a full-blown war. Also, the typical list of indications that would lead up to invasion plans hasn't materialized in many ways that one might expect if China were planning to militarily invade Taiwan.-HomeFront-New Jersey: Speculation surrounding the recent drone sightings throughout the state has increased following more people becoming aware of the situation. So far, not much information has been made public regarding what is going on. However, due to the attention being placed on these events, various official statements have been made. Governor Phil Murphy has acknowledged the drones (and the dozens of sightings), but hasn't commented on the aircraft much, except to say that the drones are not a threat to public safety. Yesterday, locals reported that one of the aircraft crashed in Montville, though almost zero details have come to light to confirm this incident, and all reporting on this alleged crash is single-source at the moment and therefore could be a false report. Companies and military contractors have weighed in on the aircraft as well. Picatinny Arsenal, a major military contractor for R&D of various technologies has stated that the devices aren't related to their research, but they have confirmed sighting 11 drones themselves since November.This afternoon, various politicians have stated that the drones being observed in New Jersey are suspected to be of Iranian origin, and that they are being launched from a “mothership” that is operating off the coast. More specifically, most of the information being repeated by authorities indicates that no one knows who is operating the craft, or where they come from, but many have been observed arriving and departing from the coast. Additionally, the craft allegedly do not have any signals being transmitted to them, and the lighting onboard the aircraft turns off when the aircraft is approached.-----END TEARLINE-----Analyst Comments: The unidentified “drone” situation in New Jersey has become more concerning as more sightings have occurred. However, these reports are probably related to more people actually being on the lookout now that the story has gone viral. As such, an increase in reports does not always equa

Over the last few years, the world has seen the outbreak of a kind of war that had long seemed like a thing of the past. There was Russia's invasion of Ukraine; a Gaza war that threatened to turn into a full Middle Eastern war, and in many ways did; growing dangers in the Taiwan Strait or South China Sea; and tremendously damaging fighting in places like Sudan that get much less global attention.  Mara Karlin, a scholar of war as well as a veteran policymaker, served as the top U.S. Defense Department official overseeing strategy as these conflicts started or escalated. She is currently Professor of Practice at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies and a Visiting Fellow at the Brookings Institution, and the author of several books including The Inheritance: America's Military After Two Decades of War. She argues in an essay in Foreign Affairs that the world is seeing a return of total war—of conflicts that are more comprehensive and complex than ever before. Karlin joins Editor Dan Kurtz-Phelan to discuss how fighting in Ukraine and the Middle East is reshaping our understanding of modern war, and what this means for U.S. military strategy—especially in the face of growing tensions with China. You can find sources, transcripts, and more episodes of The Foreign Affairs Interview at https://www.foreignaffairs.com/podcasts/foreign-affairs-interview.

President-elect Donald Trump is warning of new tariffs earmarked for China, Mexico, and Canada. His message to them is to stop the drugs and illegal immigrants from coming into America or face consequences. The Kansas state pension sells off $300 million worth of China securities, joining the list of U.S. states seeking to divest from Washington's adversary, China. China is sending fighter jets to shadow U.S. Navy planes passing through the Taiwan Strait. We have more on why keeping the waterway open matters to the global economy. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is meeting allies in Italy at his final G7 summit, addressing threats from China and Russia. ⭕️ Watch in-depth videos based on Truth & Tradition at Epoch TV

GOOD EVENNG: The show begins in the Taiwan Strait... Here are the key points from the CBS Eye on the World with John Batchelor program on October 23, 2024: First Hour: - 9-9:15 - Segment on China's logistics issues with James Fanell and Gordon Chang. - 9:15-9:30 - Segment on China's capital flight, again with James Fanell and Gordon Chang. - 9:30-9:45 - Segment on North Korean troops in Ukraine, with Bruce Bechtol and Gordon Chang. - 9:45-10:00 - Segment on China's nuclear threats, with Rick Fisher and Gordon Chang. Second Hour: - 10-10:15 - 1/2 segment on the darkness in Cuba and what can be done, with Allison Fedirka. - 10:15-10:30 - 2/2 segment on the darkness in Cuba and what can be done, again with Allison Fedirka.  - 10:30-10:45 - Segment on the Trump Trials, with Andrew McCarthy, Thad McCotter, and others. - 10:45-11:00 - Segment on spies and the FBI, also with Andrew McCarthy and Thad McCotter. Third Hour: - 11:00-11:15 - Segment on what Xi wants from India, with Sadanand Dhume. - 11:15-11:30 - Segment on India not condemning Hamas and Hezbollah, again with Sadanand Dhume. - 11:30-11:45 - Segment on SpaceX's Space Force contracts, with Bob Zimmerman. - 11:45-12:00 - Segment on the Artemis program's Rendezvous 2029 plan, also with Bob Zimmerman. Fourth Hour: - 12-12:15 - Segment on the hunting season and "Le Sanglier" in France, with Simon Constable. - 12:15-12:30 - Segment on Russia's decelerating economy and shift from oil to guns, with Michael Bernstam. - 12:30-12:45 - Segment on strange conduct by TV partisans regarding the President, with Peter Berkowitz. - 12:45-1:00 - Segment on Palau under Chinese assault and what can be done, with Cleo Paskal of FDD.