News that caught our eye / The week ending June 27, 2025
Six dead, thousands displaced as floods hit southwestern China / June 26, 2025
China is facing a summer of extreme weather events as a tropical depression flooded Guizhou province in southwestern China, killing at least six, and record heat in Beijing. Another rain front made landfall in Hainan on Thursday and will wind its way to Guangdong province, which is heavily populated (Al Jazeera).
China strongly condemns U.S. attacks on Iran / June 22, 2025
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson strongly condemned the US bombings of Iranian nuclear facilities, saying the action violated UN charter and international law, as well as the safeguards under the International Atomic Energy Agency. The representative also called on all parties, especially Israel, to reach a ceasefire as soon as possible (Xinhua News).
China’s response to Iran conflict more concerning if West loses, vs retribution for defeating its ally / June 21, 2025
With the dust still settling on the situation in Iran, speculation as to China’s response to the US targeting one of its allies was on the minds of many. Chinese expert, Gordon Chang, expressed concern if the US failed in its goals to destroy Iran’s nuclear sites since that would show weakness and vulnerability in the US’s military capabilities. Otherwise, however, President Xi has domestic issues that prohibit him from making rash decisions (Fox Business).
U.S. calls on China to prevent Iran from closing Strait of Hormuz / June 22, 2025
US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, called on China to encourage Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open after the US destroyed three nuclear sites in Iran. Iranian officials had considered closing the Strait in response to the US bombings. However, closing the Strait would also stop its revenue stream, and would cut off an oil supply that China relies on (CNBC).
As ceasefire looms, China's UN peace talk highlights limits of Beijing's influence / June 23, 2025
China’s call to de-escalate the conflict between Iran and the Israeli-US partnership in destroying Iran’s nuclear program was a low-key response from a country that usually wants to play a larger role in global politics. Rather than enter the fray, China chose to sit this one out, concerned that any involvement could jeopardize other political issues, including the 90-day pause on US tariffs (ABC News-Australia).
The spy next door: Decrypting China's Ministry of State Security / June 22, 2025
The world’s largest spy agency, China’s Ministry of State Security, may have up to 800,000 employees surveilling both domestic citizens, ex-patriot citizens, and foreign governments, all to protect the security of the CCP, not the Chinese people or nation. It is estimated that the bureau has an operating budget of $20 billion (The Economic Times).
China’s Mosquito-Sized Microdrone: The Future of Covert Military Surveillance? / June 22, 2025
“The unveiling of China’s mosquito-sized microdrone is a chilling yet fascinating preview of the future of warfare. As micro-UAV technology matures, the battlefield will no longer be dominated by tanks or missiles alone—but also by silent, near-invisible machines capable of infiltrating without warning” (Don’tLeaveIt.com).
Mapped: How China Staged Double Aircraft Carrier Show of Force in Pacific / June 24, 2025
Japan reported that two Chinese aircraft carriers, the Liaoning and Shandong, had crossed the “first island chain” en route to the South China Sea and that the Liaoning went even further, crossing the “second island chain” earlier this month. The “first island chain” includes Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines; the “second” chain is another archipelago further east in the Pacific. Crossing these natural boundaries demonstrated China’s increasing strength and boldness in naval operations (Newsweek).
How war-torn Myanmar plays a critical role in China’s rare earth dominance / June 24, 2025
More than ten years ago, the majority of rare-earth mineral mining was found in China, but as new environmental policies took effect in China, China looked elsewhere for the coveted deposits and found them in Myanmar. Now, China gets over 50% of its rare-earth minerals from Myanmar, which is in the midst of a civil war, and a rebel group in northern Myanmar has seized some of the mines, threatening supplies (CNBC).
Trump says US, China framework 'signed' as Bessent targets Labor Day for key deals / June 27, 2025
President Trump announced yesterday that negotiations between the US and China have brought the two countries closer to an economic trade deal that could be solidified by Labor Day. As tariff-pause deadlines loom closer, other countries are also working more with the US to avoid a spike in tariffs if the deadlines are crossed (Yahoo Finance).
China has millions of single men - could dating camp help them find love? / June 20, 2025
China’s one-child policy—ended in 2016—has left 30 million more males than females in China, so finding a wife and starting a family—still strongly held cultural expectations—is going to be impossible for most of them. To make matters worse, many available Chinese women prefer AI-generated boyfriends who are nicer and more emotionally stable. Many men born in the 90s were left with relatives by their parents, who headed off to the cities to find work (BBC).