A Senate bill, approved by former President Donald Trump, proposes a 500% tariff on goods from countries trading with Russia, specifically targeting India and China, who are major purchasers of Russian oil. The bill, co-sponsored by Senator Lindsey Graham, aims to pressure these nations to cease supporting Russia’s war efforts in Ukraine. Initially facing resistance from the White House, the bill has gained momentum, potentially causing a significant shift in US trade relations with Beijing and New Delhi. While the administration previously expressed hesitations regarding sanctions’ economic impact, it now seems prepared to support the legislation.
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China’s claim that it can’t “invade” Taiwan because it’s already part of its territory is at the heart of a deeply complex and historically charged disagreement. This justification, reminiscent of justifications used for other conflicts, highlights the core of the issue: a clash over history, identity, and the very definition of what constitutes “China.” The People’s Republic of China (PRC) views Taiwan as a renegade province, a part of its sovereign territory that needs to be reunified, by force if necessary.
This perspective, however, is directly at odds with Taiwan’s own self-identification and historical narrative. The Republic of China (ROC), Taiwan’s official name, maintains that it is the legitimate government of all of China, a claim rooted in the aftermath of the Chinese Civil War.… Continue reading
Taiwan’s president recently stated unequivocally that Taiwan is, of course, a country. This declaration serves as a direct rebuke to China, which considers Taiwan a breakaway province and has consistently threatened military action should the island formally declare independence. The statement’s significance lies in its unambiguous nature; it breaks from the previously more ambiguous official pronouncements from Taiwan, which carefully navigated the complex geopolitical landscape. This assertive stance shifts the dynamics of the Taiwan Strait significantly.
The president’s words represent a bold move, potentially escalating tensions with China. For years, Taiwan has maintained a delicate balance, asserting its own sovereignty while carefully avoiding a direct declaration of independence to lessen the risk of immediate conflict.… Continue reading
On June 20th, 2025, Taiwan’s Defence Ministry reported the detection of 50 Chinese military aircraft and six naval vessels near the island. This action follows a British naval vessel’s transit through the Taiwan Strait on June 18th, an event China strongly condemned. The increased military presence around Taiwan reflects China’s ongoing assertion of sovereignty over the island, a claim rejected by Taiwan. This incident represents a significant escalation in military activity, surpassing even the March incursion of 59 Chinese aircraft.
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China dispatched a record-breaking 74 military aircraft toward Taiwan, with 61 crossing the Taiwan Strait median line. This large-scale deployment, encompassing various aircraft types and naval vessels, follows a British warship’s transit through the strait, which China condemned as a disturbance to regional peace and stability. Taiwan’s defense ministry responded to the Chinese action with its own air and naval forces. The motivations behind China’s actions remain unclear, but it is consistent with its strategy to assert control over Taiwan.
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A Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF) destroyer, the Takanami, transited the Taiwan Strait on June 12, marking the third such passage in the last year. This action, closely monitored by the Chinese military, follows a June 7-8 incident where a Chinese fighter jet dangerously approached a Japanese patrol plane. The transit, along with a subsequent joint exercise with the Philippine Navy in the South China Sea, demonstrates Japan’s increasing assertiveness in the face of growing Chinese pressure on Taiwan and in regional waters. This represents a shift in Japanese policy regarding the Taiwan Strait, reflecting concerns over China’s expanding military activities.
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In a rare move, the Japanese Defense Ministry publicly released a map charting the movements of China’s two aircraft carriers from May 25th to June 5th. This unprecedented action underscores the significance of the carriers’ simultaneous Pacific operations, a development seen as a notable expansion of Chinese naval power. The map’s release aimed to highlight the unusual length of these joint carrier exercises. Such transparency regarding foreign naval movements is atypical for the ministry.
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Three Boeing 747 freighters departed China within a three-day period, flying westward before disappearing from radar near Iran following an Israeli attack. The planes, typically used for military equipment transport, sparked concern about potential Chinese aid to Iran amidst the ongoing conflict. Aviation experts highlight China’s strategic partnership with Iran and its potential motives for providing support, although direct military involvement remains unlikely due to the risk of escalating tensions with the US. While the cargo remains unknown, past instances of Chinese attempts to disguise military shipments raise suspicion.
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In China, a widespread crackdown on “boys love” (BL) fiction has resulted in numerous female writers being summoned and potentially facing detention, fines, or imprisonment for publishing their work online. Many of these writers, often university students, published their stories on the Taiwanese website Haitang, and some have reported significant financial and emotional distress resulting from the legal action. Authorities cite outdated laws on “digitally obscene” content as justification, despite homosexuality not being illegal in China. Legal experts offer varying interpretations of the government’s motivations, with some suggesting a connection to policies aimed at increasing fertility rates, while others point to expanded surveillance of subcultures and restrictions on freedom of speech.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood