Beginning next month, China will impose a value-added tax on condoms and other contraceptives, reversing a 33-year exemption. This policy change, part of a broader effort to boost the nation’s declining birth rate, will likely increase the cost of contraception. Experts express concern that this tax could limit access to contraception, particularly for young people, while also overlooking gender-equality concerns and potentially increasing STI rates. Simultaneously, the state is promoting marriage and childbearing, with matchmaking agencies newly added to the tax-exempt list, creating a shift in how the state approaches family, marriage, and reproduction.
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On Tuesday, President Trump signed the Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act into law, prompting positive reactions from Taiwan and criticism from China. The new law mandates that the U.S. State Department regularly review and update guidelines for official interactions with Taipei, reflecting the United States’ role as Taiwan’s primary international supporter despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties. China’s Foreign Ministry expressed strong opposition, reiterating its stance that Taiwan is part of China and a core interest. The legislation follows the earlier lifting of restrictions on U.S.-Taiwanese official contact by the Trump administration in 2021 and is seen by Taiwan as a step toward closer relations.
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Russia, China agree to thwart efforts to revive ‘Japanese militarism’: Let’s get right to it – it seems the simmering tensions around Japan’s defense posture have boiled over again, and this time, Russia and China are joining forces to try and, well, put a lid on things. The core of the issue seems to be Japan’s willingness to acknowledge that a war on its borders would be considered a security threat – a pretty standard position for any nation, really. But for China, this became an opportunity to express outrage and score some political points.
This whole situation brings to mind a game of political theater, with China hoping to leverage the situation for its own gain.… Continue reading
The US has requested Lebanon return an undetonated GBU-39 bomb, a Boeing-manufactured glide bomb capable of traveling up to 110 km, due to concerns it could fall into the hands of Russia or China. This request follows the discovery of the unexploded bomb. The US fears the technology could be reverse-engineered by rival nations.
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During a Thanksgiving address at Mar-a-Lago, President Trump stated he personally redesigned new Coast Guard ships, emphasizing his aesthetic preferences. These remarks followed the announcement of increased funding for the Coast Guard’s fleet modernization, particularly the Sentinel-class cutters, which are being built to counter China’s naval expansion. However, ship designs are created by naval architects and shipyards, not the president, and are part of the Coast Guard’s strategic initiative to enhance its capabilities in the face of growing global competition. Ultimately, the successful delivery and performance of these new vessels are crucial for the U.S. to maintain its presence in key maritime regions.
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Trump told Japan’s PM in their call to lower the tone on Taiwan, WSJ reports, and it seems like this particular nugget of information has stirred up quite a reaction. The reports suggest that during a call, former President Trump advised Japan’s Prime Minister to dial back her rhetoric regarding Taiwan. The initial reaction, judging by the overall sentiment, seems to be a mix of shock, skepticism, and a healthy dose of cynicism.
The underlying concern seems to be that Trump’s actions, particularly in this context, could be interpreted as a willingness to appease China at the expense of allies and long-standing geopolitical strategies.… Continue reading
Japan’s defense ministry scrambled aircraft after detecting a suspected Chinese drone near Yonaguni Island, where Tokyo plans to deploy missiles, sparking a diplomatic spat with Beijing. This incident follows remarks by Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi that suggested potential military intervention in Taiwan, further souring relations. China criticized Japan’s missile deployment plan as a deliberate attempt to create regional tension and provoke military confrontation, while Japan maintains the deployment is for defensive purposes. The situation has intensified, with Taiwan supporting Japan’s strengthening of military facilities and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaking with both Chinese and Japanese leaders.
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In early 2022, Ukraine’s request to Elon Musk on X resulted in the swift deployment of Starlink terminals, providing crucial battlefield communication. Russia attempted to jam the signals, but SpaceX’s software updates and constellation reconfiguration thwarted their efforts. This success has prompted significant concern, particularly in Beijing, regarding the challenge of achieving electromagnetic dominance in the face of adaptable satellite systems like Starlink. A new Chinese study details the PLA’s potential strategies to neutralize such resilient communication networks.
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Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te announced plans to bolster defense spending with a $40 billion budget, citing “intensifying” threats from China, which views the island as its own territory. Lai stated that Xi Jinping’s regime is accelerating military preparations to take Taiwan by force, leading to a focus on achieving a “high level of combat preparedness” by 2027. This includes investment in equipment like missiles and drones, artificial intelligence, and increased cooperation with the United States. President Lai emphasized that any compromise in the face of aggression would only lead to war, and the greatest threat is giving up.
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China and Russia have expressed unwavering support for Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro amidst escalating tensions with the United States. Leaders Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin sent letters of solidarity, with Xi strongly rejecting external interference in Venezuela’s internal affairs. This backing comes as the Trump administration considers potential military action, having labeled Maduro as the head of the “Cartel de los Soles” and increased military presence in the Caribbean. Despite this, the possibility of direct talks between Trump and Maduro remains open.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood