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August 09, 2022 - The Chinese military has said that they would be continuing their live-fire military drills Monday, August 8th, 2022 in the waters and skies around the island of Taiwan, focusing on anti-submarine and air-to-ship strikes. Read more
August 08, 2022 - The Group of Seven #G7) Foreign ministers released a joint statement regarding Taiwan calling an end to China's provocative exercises around the island of Taiwan, after which the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) condemned the statement and called it scrap paper. Read more
August 07, 2022 - 66 Chinese military aircraft and 14 vessels were detected around Taiwan on August 7th, 2022. 22 of the aircraft had flown on the east part of the median line of the Taiwan Strait and the southwest ADIZ according to Taiwan's MOD. Read more
August 07, 2022 - 20 Chinese military aircraft and 14 Chinese vessels conducted an air-sea operation on the surrounding area of Taiwan on August 6th, 2022. Chinese state-run television also says that China will be carrying out regular drills from now on. Read more
August 06, 2022 - TAIWAN - (From Taiwanese Translation) Taiwanese official Ou Yang Li-hsing, who was the vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and led missile production has died of a "sudden heart attack" at 57 years old in the hotel that he was saying in. Read more
August 05, 2022 - The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs have announced a list of "countermeasures" in response to Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island of Taiwan. Read more
August 05, 2022 - Taiwan's Ministry of Defense has reported that 49 Chinese aircraft flew into the east part of the median line of the Taiwan Strait on August 5th, 2022. Read more
August 05, 2022 - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, after having visited the island of Taiwan visiting the heavily fortified Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ) that sits between the North and South Korean border on her way to Seoul, the Capital of South Korea. Read more
August 04, 2022 - Chinese state-affiliated media announced live fire exercises in the Taiwan Strait. The Japanese Ministry of Defense reported that five Chinese missiles are 'presumed' to have landed in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Read more
August 04, 2022 - The U.S. Department of State has put out a worldwide travel alert, advising against traveling abroad after Sunday's drone strike where two R9X Hellfire missiles killed al-Qaeda leader, and Osama bin Laden successor, Ayman al-Zawahri. Read more
August 03, 2022 - 27 Chinese military aircraft entered into the surrounding area of Taiwan on August 3rd, 2022, and 21 Chinese military aircraft violated Taiwan's ADIZ just one day before that, after Pelosi's visit to the island according to the country's MOD. Read more
August 03, 2022 - 21 Chinese military aircraft entered into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on August 2nd, 2022 after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi touched down in Taiwan. Read more
August 02, 2022 - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was confirmed to have been on the aircraft heading toward the Island of Taiwan and has now landed safely. The U.S. air force had been authorized to open fire in case there was any interference from the Chinese on the plane that carried Pelosi. Read more
August 02, 2022 - There have been many reports, and sightings of Chinese military vehicles, equipment and tanks in the Chinese city of Xiamen and the province of Fujian, which sits straight across from the island of Taiwan. Read more
August 02, 2022 - According to Taiwan's official state news The Central News Agency (CNA) and the Xiamen Airlines website, China's Fujian region has announced August 2nd that airspace flow control will be implemented, and a "large number of flights have been canceled". Read more
August 02, 2022 - US Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set to travel to Taipei on Tuesday. Chinese military vessels and aircraft have been spotted carrying out tactical moves by touching the median line in the Taiwan Strait. Read more
August 01, 2022 - Satellite photos obtained from Planet Labs from the location of Lop Nur nuclear test site in China show what looks to be upgraded and expanded facilities, indicating that China may be preparing for nuclear tests for the first time in 26 years. Read more
August 01, 2022 - As Pelosi is expected to arrive in the Asia Pacific, growing concerns come from other countries who are in support of China instead of the United States and an independent Taiwan. Read more
July 31, 2022 - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has put out a statement outlining her trip to the Indo-Pacific region. The outline indicates that the Speaker will be visiting Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, but does not mention visiting Taiwan. Read more
July 31, 2022 - Morgan Ortagus, who is a former State Department spokesperson said that she believes that China is going to be getting more aggressive in both rhetoric and action in the foreseeable future as it is incredibly important for them to have control. Read more
July 30, 2022 - In the event China invades Taiwan, the director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs expects Switzerland to adopt any measures that are implemented by the European Union against China. Read more
July 30, 2022 - A message posted by China's official People's Liberation Army (PLA) 80th Group over Pelosi's possible visit to Taiwan stated on the Chinese social media website Weibo said: Get ready for war, over Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. Read more
July 30, 2022 - High-level officials, who previously held defense ministry positions in Japan, have visited Taiwan to discuss possible ways to prepare for possible conflict with Beijing and shore up Asia-Pacific defenses in the region. Read more
July 30, 2022 - The Chinese Navy will be holding live fire military exercises "in waters west of the Qiongzhou Strait" in the South China Sea on Friday and Saturday. Read more
July 30, 2022 - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has warned South Korea's leader Yoon Suk-yeol and his government of military gangsters will be wiped out if it makes any dangerous attempt, such as a preemptive strike. Read more
July 30, 2022 - In response to the latest blasts from the east regarding Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, the United States military has decided to send the largest ship in the fleet, the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, along with its battle group to the South China Sea. Read more
July 29, 2022 - Chinese President Xi Jinping alerted US President Joe Biden against playing with fire over Taiwan, as Beijing's disputes are accelerating over a conceivable visit to Taiwan by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Read more
July 26, 2022 - Three Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's southwest Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on July 26th, 2022. Read more
July 26, 2022 - China has dispatched stricter admonishments to U.S. Functionaries about Speaker Nancy Pelosi's probable visit to Taiwan a foreign ministry representative said on Monday. Read more
July 26, 2022 - The Tiangong space station has received a new module, the Wentian science laboratory, which was docked with the Tianhe living module at around 3:13 AM local time on Monday. Read more
July 25, 2022 - A U.S. House Intelligence Committee member has put out a warning to Americans not to so easily share their genetic information to websites like the Biotechnology company 23andMe, as there are bio-weapons being developed that can target an individual's DNA and potentially kill them. Read more
July 25, 2022 - Two Chinese military aircraft entered into Taiwan's southwest Air Defense Identification Zone on July 25th, 2022. The Chinese aircraft included a Y-8 RECCE reconnaissance aircraft and J-11 fighter jet. Read more
July 24, 2022 - Four Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on July 24th, 2022. The aircraft included a reconnaissance plane and flew through the Taiwan Strait, as well as the northwestern part of the Philippine Sea. Read more
July 22, 2022 - Pelosi would not confirm whether or not she will be following through with her plans to travel to the island of Taiwan in August, but did say that she believes that the military may be afraid her plane would be shot down by Chinese forces as they neared Taiwanese airspace. Read more
July 22, 2022 - Chinese state media says that China might try to impose a no-fly zone over the island of Taiwan ahead of Nancy Pelosi's visit in order to prevent the U.S. speaker of the House from being successful. Read more
July 22, 2022 - CIA Director William Burns stated that Xi Jinping has the intention to take control of the Island of Taiwan, but has been studying the Russian invasion of Ukraine Read more
July 21, 2022 - Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin repeated on Thursday that China will act strongly to respond to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's planned trip to Taiwan and take countermeasures if the United States insists on making the visit. Read more
July 21, 2022 - Biden is now urging Pelosi to cancel her visit to the Island of Taiwan after China put out a warning about forceful measures being taken if Pelosi made the trip to the region. Read more
July 20, 2022 - TAIWAN STRAIT - A US guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold sailed through the Taiwan Strait on July 19th, 2022 with the Chinese military following and monitoring its transit; after which China claims the United States 'hyped' the transit up publicly and slammed the US as a 'maker of security risks'. Read more
July 19, 2022 - China: if U.S. Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visits the Taiwan Region, there will be consequences. Read more
July 17, 2022 - Capital police in Islamabad, Pakistan have put security on high alert for the next 48 hours across the district, with "no unnecessary movement" allowed. Read more
July 16, 2022 - Former U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says that South Korea will have no choice but to intervene with the United States in the Taiwan Strait if conflict breaks out between China and Taiwan. Read more
July 15, 2022 - Chinese researchers have created an artificial intelligence (AI) program named 'lex ex machina' that is reportedly capable of identifying a crime and press charges. Read more
July 14, 2022 - Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says that they have cut ties with North Korea as a result of North Korea recognizing the "independence" of Ukrainian territories under the occupation of Russia. Read more
July 14, 2022 - SOUTH CHINA SEA - Chinese military is claiming that it drove a U.S. destroyer, the USS Benfold, away from the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on Wednesday, after claiming the ship had entered its territorial waters illegally. Read more
July 10, 2022 - The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) put out a statement that it detected "trajectories" that were believed to be artillery shots off North Korea's coast. Read more
July 09, 2022 - Ranil Wickremesignhe, Sri Lanka Prime Minister has agreed to step down and resign once a new government is formed, after official party leaders in the Sri Lankan Government laid out demands that he and the president resign, following a protesting mob of enraged Sri Lankan citizens storming the president's office and official residence. Read more
July 08, 2022 - China sent military aircraft into the Taiwan Strait on Friday, a move that Taiwan is calling "provocative", as U.S. senator Rick Scott visited the island in order to meet with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, which China has openly criticized. Read more
July 08, 2022 - The Japanese former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been shot in the western prefecture of Nara, Japan and had died due to cardiopulmonary arrest after being taken to the hospital, where he had been being given blood transfusions in an effort to try to save his life. Read more
July 04, 2022 - The United States commerce department says that China has not been seen evading sanctions, or providing military equipment to Russia and said that enforcement measures that were taken earlier in the week were targeting Chinese companies, not the government. Read more
July 02, 2022 - Although new vehicle sales in the United States have dropped by over 21 percent in the second quarter, versus a year ago, demand is still greater than supply due to a global shortage of semiconductors in spite of rising inflation, fuel prices and interest rates. Read more
July 01, 2022 - The United States, South Korea, and Japan have vowed a response to any North Korean nuclear test and said that the response would be in the form of joint military drills, according to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday. Read more
July 01, 2022 - Australian bank, Volt has collapsed in the midst of rising inflation and the bank has urged their customers to pull their funds from their accounts before it closes them on Tuesday. Inflation in Australia and US on the rise. Read more
July 01, 2022 - The Japanese defense ministry reported around 10 Russian Chinese navy vessels earlier this month in Waters Near Japan, leaving analysts to believe that the two countries are sending a message to Japan, the United States as well as Taiwan. Read more
July 01, 2022 - Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian on Thursday expressed "serious concern" and "resolute protest" on behalf of the CCP regarding the NATO's new 'Strategic Concept', saying that it ignores facts, distorts the truth and vilifies China's foreign policy. Read more
June 30, 2022 - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on June 21st that the BRICS countries, which include Russia, China, Brazil, and South Africa (Iran and Argentina have applied but not yet accepted) are currently working on setting up a global reserve currency to cut their financial reliance on the West. Read more
June 29, 2022 - China has claimed that two U.S. military aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, Jun 28th, according to the SCS Probing Initiative (SCSPI). Read more
June 28, 2022 - South Korea’s unification minister Kwon Young-se says that North Korean nuclear weapons are not just targeting the United States, but also targeting South Korea, pointing to a March test of a multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS). Read more
June 28, 2022 - The North Korean government has accused the United States of creating an "Asia-Style NATO" in order to overthrow the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un on Sunday pointing to the military cooperation between the US, Japan and South Korea. Read more
June 28, 2022 - Iran has applied to become a member of the BRICS, a group of emerging world economies that include: Russia, China, South Africa, Brazil and India. Read more
June 27, 2022 - Chinese Ambassador to Moscow Zhang Hanhui told Russian state news TASS that they are ready to supply aircraft components to Russia, noting that there are no restrictions from the Chinese side. Read more
June 26, 2022 - Chinese state media, Global Times claims that the United States sent a destroyer to the South China Sea just one day after sending a P-8A anti-submarine aircraft 'spy plane' over the Taiwan Straits. Read more
June 26, 2022 - (Based on translation) On June 26th, a Japan Coast Guard boat confirmed that the Chinese Coast Guard was navigating in the 'contiguous waters' on the 'overseas side' of the territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands administered by Japan, in the Okinawa Prefecture, according to Japanese The Sankei News. Read more
June 26, 2022 - China says that they "can't leave Taiwan independent" and that they will "retake Taiwan by all means, including military ones" if they can't reunify the island using peaceful methods. They also said that the United States wants two wars, one in Europe and one in Asia. Read more
June 25, 2022 - China says that their military went on high alert and they mobilized ground and air forces after a U.S. maritime plane flew through the Taiwan Strait. Furthermore, China says that their forces now remain on high alert. Read more
June 25, 2022 - List of travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State from June 1st, 2022 to June 24th, 2022. KEY: Level 1: Normal Precautions | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 3: Reconsider Travel | Level 4: Do Not Travel. For a clickable list visit the OSLINT Advisories post. Read more
June 25, 2022 - U.S. lawmakers from both political parties have been coming out with a flurry of bills and resolutions aimed at expanding America's involvement in the Indo-Pacific region, including strengthening ties with nations in the region and increasing support for Taiwan. Read more
June 25, 2022 - Japan's Ministry of Defense reported that three Chinese PLAAF H-6 strategic bombers were spotted over international waters between the islands of Okinawa and Miyako-Jima on their way to the Pacific Ocean, then returned using the same route to the East China Sea. Read more
June 23, 2022 - 22 Chinese military aircraft have entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) today, June 23rd, 2022. Read more
June 22, 2022 - Six Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's southwest Air Defense Identification Zone on June 22nd, 2022. The military aircraft included four J-16 fighter jets, one Y-8 antisubmarine-warfare aircraft and one Y-8 electronic warfare (EW) aircraft. Read more
June 21, 2022 - 29 Chinese military aircraft has entered Taiwan's southwest Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on June 21st, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense. Read more
June 20, 2022 - 10 Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone in the southwest corner on June 19th, 2022, making it the 8th day of intrusions into Taiwan's ADIZ so far this month. Read more
June 20, 2022 - China has carried out a land-based missile interception test that it said "achieved its expected purpose," according to the Chinese defense ministry who said that the test was purely defensive and not aimed at any country in particular. Read more
June 20, 2022 - Two Chinese Coast Guard vessels intruded and then left Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands, leaving the territory on Sunday morning after having intruded the day before, according to Japan Times. Read more
June 19, 2022 - WASHINGTON - A US Senate bill seeks to pave the way for a training program in order to increase armed forces interoperability between the United States and Taiwan, while significantly increasing support for the island, including billions of dollars in security assistance and making Taiwan a 'major non-NATO ally'. China has warned, however, against what they call a 'dangerous' policy overhaul. Read more
June 17, 2022 - China has launched its third aircraft carrier, manufactured by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) shipyard in Shanghai and named it Fujian which is named after a province located directly facing the island of Taiwan in an apparent statement to the island. Read more
June 17, 2022 - WASHINGTON- The United States has announced sending $122 million to the top three medical research institutions in India in order to "prevent avoidable pandemics, early detection of disease threats, and rapid and effective response", according to the Indian Express newspaper. Read more
June 16, 2022 - The Center for Strategic and International Studies has put out a report that says that North Korea appears to be expanding work at its nuclear test site and adding a second tunnel. Meanwhile, U.S. and South Korean officials say that North Korea is ready to conduct a nuclear test any day. Read more
June 16, 2022 - Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Wednesday that Beijing will keep backing Moscow on "Sovereignty and security", according to Chinese state media. Read more
June 16, 2022 - China has notified the United States that the Taiwan Strait is a part of their maritime exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and not international waters, opposing the U.S. view that the strait is part of international waters. They have also given a warning to the U.S. to stay out of the Strait saying that they have sovereign rights over it. Read more
June 15, 2022 - Former Taiwanese minister of former affairs John Deng said on Tuesday that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would do more damage to the global economy than the Russian invasion on Ukraine has. Read more
June 15, 2022 - South Korea's unification ministry stated on Tuesday that North Korea is ready to carry out a nuclear test at any time, South Korean news agency Yonhap quoted an anonymous official from the ministry as saying. Read more
June 14, 2022 - According to the Iranian state's shipping company, Iran has commenced its first shipment of Russian goods to India using a new trade route that uses Iran to link Russia to Asian export markets. Read more
June 14, 2022 - SOLOMON ISLANDS - Chinese police have begun training Solomon Islands police officers, with the first batch of exercises taking place at the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Rove, which is a suburb of Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. Read more
June 13, 2022 - South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) released a statement on Sunday night saying that they have observed "several trails" that it assumes were created by North Korean multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) on Sunday morning. Read more
June 12, 2022 - Russia and China have finished building and opening up a cross-border bridge that they stated in February will bring the two countries closer together in their "no limits' partnership, before Russian President Vladimir Putin began his invasion of Ukraine. Read more
June 12, 2022 - South Korean defense minister Lee Jong-sup said during a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday that South Korea is ready to engage in talks with Japan in order to strengthen their cooperation and three-way alliance with the United States to counter North Korea. Read more
June 11, 2022 - U.S. inflation hit a 40-year high of 8.6 percent in the month of May according to data given by the U.S. government on Friday. This makes it the 12th month in a row that the inflation percentage has been above 5%. Food and fuel prices are also soaring up, while China, India and other countries benefit from Cheap Russian Oil at discounted prices. Read more
June 11, 2022 - Both India and China have drastically increased their imports of Russian oil at greatly discounted prices, with Indian purchases of Russian oil up by 400%, while countries buying from Russia benefit from discounted prices, the price for oil for the rest of the world is surging. Read more
June 11, 2022 - While at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Saturday that China is continuing to harden the position along the border it shares with India, and that the United States stands by its mutual defense commitments. Read more
June 11, 2022 - Chinese defense minister Wei Fenghe has said that they will "not hesitate to start a war" if Taiwan declares independence during face to face talks with U.S. defense minister Lloyd Austin on Friday in Singapore, according to China’s defense spokesman Wu Qian. Read more
June 10, 2022 - The United States, South Korea and Japan are working together closely in order to prepare 'for all contingencies' ahead of expected seventh nuclear test by North Korea a diplomatic envoy stated in South Korea. Read more
June 9, 2022 - The Japanese Joint Staff put out a statement saying "Yesterday, JASDF’s fighters scrambled to cope with a suspected intrusion into Japan’s airspace over the East China Sea, the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk. JSDF continues to responding to protect our territory and peace for the people of Japan 24/7. (sample image)". Read more
June 9, 2022 - White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the United States is 'watching very closely' for a possible nuclear test by North Korea, which Washington believes is preparing for its seventh nuclear test. Read more
June 9, 2022 - The U.S. has deployed B-1B bombers to Guam ahead of a nuclear test expected by Washington by North Korea, though one expert says that the deployment appears to just be part of a regular, rotational plan and could be related to the biennial field training exercise Valiant Shield taking place in Guam this month. Read more
June 9, 2022 - Environmental activists in South Korea are protesting the plan by Japan to dump radioactive waste water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean in 2023. Read more
June 9, 2022 - Russia's Foreign Ministry says that it is suspending a fishing agreement allowing Japan to have fishing rights near the disputed Kuril Islands, which are called the Northern Territories by Japan. Read more
June 8, 2022 - The World Bank put out a statement saying that less developed countries in the world face a major recession as a result of the war in Ukraine, as well as the consequences of the COVID-19 lockdowns as the cost of energy and food continue to rise globally. Read more
June 8, 2022 - Japanese Joint Staff statement (translated from Japanese): "Yesterday, the JASDF Western Air Defense Force’s fighters scrambled to cope with a suspected intrusion into Japan’s airspace over the East China Sea. JSDF continues to responding to protect our territory and peace for the people of Japan 24/7". Read more
June 7, 2022 - US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman warned North Korea of a forceful response if the country decides to carry out a nuclear test, as both U.S. and South Korean officials say that the North is preparing it's first nuclear test in five years. Read more
June 7, 2022 - China is secretly building a naval base in Cambodia for the use of its military, according to statements from both Western officials and a Chinese official who partially confirmed an exclusive report from the Washington Post regarding the secret facility". Read more
June 7, 2022 - Japanese Joint Staff statement (translated from Japanese): "Yesterday, the JASDF Western Air Defense Force’s fighters scrambled to cope with a suspected intrusion into Japan’s airspace over the East China Sea. JSDF continues to responding to protect our territory and peace for the people of Japan 24/7". Read more
June 7, 2022 - The United States and South Korea have conducted a joint air power demonstration in 'a show of readiness' on Tuesday a day after North Korea had fired off eight short-range missiles (SRBMs) on Sunday according to South Korean news agency Yonhap. Read more
June 6, 2022 - The United States and South Korea has test launched 8 surface-to-surface missiles from Army Tactic Missile Systems (ATACMS) toward the East Sea in response to the 8 missiles that North Korea had test fired over the weekend, according to the South Korean military. Read more
June 6, 2022 - Thailand's Royal Thai Police (RTP) issued a 'secret order' to police the country's police force on the lookout for spies from Iran, after an Iranian spy was arrested in Indonesia, according to the country's police force, who spoke to Bangkok Post. Read more
June 5, 2022 - The Australian defense department revealed on Sunday that a Chinese fighter aircraft had intercepted one of its Royal Australian Air Force planes in May, which resulted in a dangerous maneuver where it released a bundle of chaff which posed a threat to both the aircraft and its crew. Read more
June 5, 2022 - *UPDATED* North Korea launches 8 short-ranged ballistic missiles toward the East Sea off of its east coast according to the Japanese Coast Guard and South Korean military. Read more
June 3, 2022 - Taiwan has banned all exports of 'modern' microchips to both Russia and Belarus, according to Taiwan News. The ban limits sales of all CPUs to chips with a frequency of less than 25 MHz to the two countries in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Read more
June 2, 2022 - Canadian government officials have become 'increasingly concerned' about Chinese aggression towards its aircraft in the Indo-Pacific after Chinese jets repeatedly buzzed a Canadian surveillance plane that was part of a United Nations mission over international waters in the region Read more
June 1, 2022 - On Friday, China was appointed to the World Health Organization's Executive Board. Read more
May 27, 2022 - A food insecurity expert has told the United Nations Security Council that the world only has a 10-week supply of wheat left stored, and that global food insecurity has now reached levels that hasn't been seen since the 2008 financial crisis. Read more
May 26, 2022 - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a statement Thursday saying that the Chinese threat will 'test U.S. diplomacy like nothing we've ever seen before' but said that the United States does not want another Cold War, and made it very clear that America does not support an independent Taiwan. Read more
May 26, 2022 - According to a South Korean official, North Korea has been testing a 'nuclear detonation device' for weeks, likely in preparation for a nuclear test, but that it is unlikely to conduct a nuclear test in the next couple of days, according to Kim Tae-hyo, who is the deputy director of the National Security Office (NSO), according to NK News. Read more
May 25, 2022 - DAVOS, SWITZERLAND - Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros said on Tuesday that the Russian invasion on Ukraine may have been the beginning of World War Three, and that the best way to preserve free civilization was for the West to defeat Russia. Read more
May 25, 2022 - On Monday, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia must cease being dependent upon the West, and that the 'dictator's position' of the West will lead economic ties with China to grow 'even faster'. Read more
May 25, 2022 - USINDOPACOM has put out a statement saying that they are aware that North Korea has carried out multiple ballistic missile launches, but that it does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to that of allies. Read more
May 24, 2022 - China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released a statement saying that China has full confidence, adequate capability and enough preparations to contain the "Taiwan Independence" and "separatist" activities. Read more
May 24, 2022 - Japan scrambled fighter jets after warplanes from both Russia and China approached its airspace on Tuesday. Japan called the action a "provocation" that was likely planned while it hosted an informal gathering of Quad nations. Read more
May 24, 2022 - South Korea has scrambled fighter jets after at least four Russian warplanes and four Chinese warplanes entered the country's Air Defense Identification Zone without giving notice. Read more
May 24, 2022 - Russia and China have held the first joint exercise since Russia's war on Ukraine began as a part of the two countries "annual military cooperation plan" over the Sea of Japan, East China Sea and Western Pacific, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry. Read more
May 23, 2022 - U.S. President Joe Biden has announced on Monday 13 countries that will be 'initial partners' of a US led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework in order to pushback on Chinese expansion in the Indo-Pacific region. Read more
May 23, 2022 - U.S. President Joe Biden says that the United States would intervene militarily if China were to invade Taiwan, and would defend the island from aggression from China. Read more
May 22, 2022 - Taiwan is moving its Indigenous Defense Fighters and Mirage 2000 jets to Penghu in the Taiwan Strait, and Taitung on the east coast in response to the constant incursions by Chinese military aircraft. Read more
May 21, 2022 - WASHINGTON - U.S. President Joe Biden signed a $40 billion dollar aid package to Ukraine during his visit to Seoul, the capital of South Korea after the Senate passed the package with an 86-11 vote, while inflation in the United States sits at a 40-year high. Read more
May 20, 2022 - 14 Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's southwest Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on May 20th, 2022. Read more
May 20, 2022 - According to The National Intelligence Service, South Korea's spy agency on Thursday, North Korea has been weighing out the timing to conduct its seventh nuclear test and has completed its preparations for such a test. Read more
May 19, 2022 - U.S. National security advisor Jake Sullivan stated on Wednesday that U.S. intelligence indicates that North Korea may carry out a nuclear test, a missile test or both either before, during or after U.S. President Joe Biden takes his trip to South Korea and Japan this week. Read more
May 14, 2022 - White House says North Korea may be ready to conduct a nuclear test by the end of the month, just a week after a state department spokesman said that North Korea is set to possibly resume nuclear tests in the near future Read more
May 14, 2022 - The Chinese Liaoning aircraft carrier was spotted by satellite images off Taiwan, while Japan stated that they had to scramble fighter jets after a suspected intrusion into its own airspace in the East China Sea. Read more
May 14, 2022 - North Korea fired three short-ranged ballistic missiles from a location near Pyongyang toward waters off the North's east coast on May 13th, according to South Korea. Read more
May 14, 2022 - Satellite photos by Maxar captured between April and May indicate that North Korea has resumed construction of an inactive nuclear reactor in recent weeks after years of inactivity. Read more
May 8, 2022 - After watching the U.S. place a freeze on Russian central bank assets, and place harsh sanctions on the country, China has said that if the West places similar sanctions on them, China has 'financial nuclear bombs'. Read more
May 6, 2022 - 18 Chinese military aircraft has entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on May 6th, 2022. Read more
May 4, 2022 - The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff has confirmed North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile that was launched from Sunan, Pyongyang at 12:03 pm on May 4th and landed into the East Sea. Read more
May 4, 2022 - North Korea has reportedly fired an unidentified projectile toward the East Sea just days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to bolster its nuclear arsenal "at the fastest possible pace" and threatened to use them against rivals. Read more
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China: Month Long Live-Fire Drills Begin Monday, Regular Drills Planned - The Chinese military has said that they would be continuing their live-fire military drills Monday, August 8th, 2022 in the waters and skies around the island of Taiwan, focusing on anti-submarine and air-to-ship strikes. Read Full Article
China Responds To G7 Joint Statement Regarding The Taiwan Strait - The Group of Seven (G7) Foreign ministers released a joint statement regarding Taiwan calling an end to China's provocative exercises around the island of Taiwan, after which the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) condemned the statement and called it scrap paper. Read Full Article
66 Chinese Military Aircraft And 14 Vessels Around Taiwan August 7th, 2022 - 66 Chinese military aircraft and 14 vessels were detected around Taiwan on August 7th, 2022. 22 of the aircraft had flown on the east part of the median line of the Taiwan Strait and the southwest ADIZ according to Taiwan's MOD. Read Full Article
20 Chinese Aircraft, 14 Vessels Conduct Operations Around Taiwan, China Says Drills Will Now Be Regular Occurrence - 20 Chinese military aircraft and 14 Chinese vessels conducted an air-sea operation on the surrounding area of Taiwan. Chinese state-run television also says that China will be carrying out regular drills from now on. Read Full Article
Taiwanese Official Ouyang Lixing Found Dead At Hotel - TAIWAN - (From Taiwanese Translation) Taiwanese official Ou Yang Li-hsing, who was the vice president of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and led missile production has died of a "sudden heart attack" at 57 years old in the hotel that he was saying in. Read Full Article
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Announces Countermeasures in Response to Nancy Pelosi’s Visit to Taiwan - The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs have announced a list of "countermeasures" in response to Nancy Pelosi's visit to the island of Taiwan.
The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, ""In disregard of China’s strong opposition and serious representations, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visited China’s Taiwan region. On 5 August, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced the following countermeasures in response:
1.Canceling China-U.S. Theater Commanders Talk.
2.Canceling China-U.S. Defense Policy Coordination Talks (DPCT).
3.Canceling China-U.S. Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) meetings.
4.Suspending China-U.S. cooperation on the repatriation of illegal immigrants.
5.Suspending China-U.S. cooperation on legal assistance in criminal matters.
6.Suspending China-U.S. cooperation against transnational crimes.
7.Suspending China-U.S. counternarcotics cooperation.
8.Suspending China-U.S. talks on climate change."
Taiwan MOD: 49 Chinese Military Aircraft Flew Into Median Line Of Taiwan Straight August 5th, 2022 - Taiwan's Ministry of Defense has reported that 49 Chinese aircraft flew into the east part of the median line of the Taiwan Strait on August 5th, 2022. The Chinese aircraft included 24 SU-30 multi-role fighter aircraft, 10 J-16 fighter jets, 7 J-10 fighter jets, 6 J-11 fighter jets, 1 Y-8 electronic warfare (EW) aircraft and one Y-8 antisubmarine warfare (ASW) plane.
CAP aircraft tasked, radio warnings issued and air defense missile systems deployed to monitor the activities.
Pelosi To Visit Koreas Demilitarized Zone, Vows To Support South In Denuclearizing The North - U.S. House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi, after having visited the island of Taiwan visiting the heavily fortified Korean demilitarized zone (DMZ) that sits between the North and South Korean border on her way to Seoul, the Capital of South Korea. Read Full Article
China Shoots Missiles Over Taiwan And Into Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone - Chinese state-affiliated media announced live fire exercises in the Taiwan Strait. The Japanese Ministry of Defense reported that five Chinese missiles are 'presumed' to have landed in Japan's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Read Full Article
U.S. Department Of State: Worldwide Travel Alert - The U.S. Department of State has put out a worldwide travel alert, advising against traveling abroad after Sunday's drone strike where two R9X Hellfire missiles killed al-Qaeda leader, and Osama bin Laden successor, Ayman al-Zawahri.
R9X Hellfire are "kinetic kill" missiles, meaning rather than cause an explosion that kills the target, these missiles deploy six metal blades that do the job.
"Following al-Zawahri's death, supporters of al- Qa'ida, or its affiliated terrorist organizations, may seek to attack U.S. facilities, personnel, or citizens," the State Department said.
A second worldwide travel alert was also put out for a "Global Level 3 Health Advisory" that said that citizens should "reconsider travel" abroad due to COVID-19.
The statement put out by the State Department was as follows:
Caution: August 2nd, 2022 - Worldwide Caution: Worldwide Cautions provide U.S. citizens with general information regarding terrorist activities, political violence, and criminal activity that occur abroad, as well as specific recommendations on how to prepare for possible contingencies, receive information on breaking security events and ensure that travelers can be contacted in an emergency. This version replaces the Worldwide Caution dated January 15, 2019.
The Department of State remains concerned about the continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations, and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests overseas. The Department of State believes there is a higher potential for anti-American violence given the death of Ayman al-Zawahiri on July 31, 2022. Current information suggests that terrorist organizations continue to plan terrorist attacks against U.S. interests in multiple regions across the globe. These attacks may employ a wide variety of tactics including suicide operations, assassinations, kidnappings, hijackings, and bombings.
As terrorist attacks, political violence (including demonstrations), criminal activities, and other security incidents often take place without any warning, U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance and practice good situational awareness when traveling abroad. U.S. government facilities worldwide actively monitor potential security threats and may temporarily close or periodically suspend public services to assess their security posture. In those instances, U.S. embassies and consulates will make every effort to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens. U.S. citizens abroad are urged to monitor the local news and maintain contact with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
When planning a trip and prior to departing the United States, U.S. citizens should consult country specific Travel Advisories and information pages on travel.state.gov. Travelers are also urged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive security messages and to make it easier to locate them in an emergency. The Department uses these security messages to convey information about terrorist threats, security incidents, planned demonstrations, natural disasters, etc. In an emergency, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate or call the following numbers: 1 (888) 407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1 (202) 501-4444 from other countries.
Private U.S. citizens should not travel to any country to participate in armed conflict. U.S. citizens are reminded that fighting on behalf of, or providing other forms of support to, designated terrorist organizations can constitute the provision of material support for terrorism, which is a serious crime that can result in penalties, including prison time and large fines.
China Sends Military Aircraft Into Surrounding Area Of Taiwan, Closes Airspace - 27 Chinese military aircraft entered into the surrounding area of Taiwan on August 3rd, 2022, and 21 Chinese military aircraft violated Taiwan's ADIZ just one day before that, after Pelosi's visit to the island according to the country's MOD. Read Full Article
21 Chinese Military Aircraft Enter Taiwan's ADIZ On August 2nd, 2022 - 21 Chinese military aircraft entered into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on August 2nd, 2022 after U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi touched down in Taiwan.
The Chinese military aircraft included 10 J-16 fighter jets, 8 J-11 fighter jets, one KJ-500 Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) aircraft, one Y-9 Electronic Warfare (EW) aircraft and one Y-8 ELINT plane.
CAP aircraft were tasked, radio warnings were issued and air defense missile systems were deployed by the Taiwanese military in order to monitor the activities of the Chinese aircraft.
Speaker Pelosi's Plane Touches Down In Taiwan - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was confirmed to have been on the aircraft heading toward the Island of Taiwan and has now landed safely. The U.S. air force had been authorized to open fire in case there was any interference from the Chinese on the plane that carried Pelosi.
The Chinese Foreign Ministry has strongly protested and condemned Pelosis visit to the island of Taiwan.
Pelosi stated over Twitter upon landing: "Our delegation’s visit to Taiwan honors America’s unwavering commitment to supporting Taiwan’s vibrant Democracy. Our discussions with Taiwan leadership reaffirm our support for our partner & promote our shared interests, including advancing a free & open Indo-Pacific region."
The hours before Pelosi landed in Taiwan, a cyber attack had hit the country. Taiwan said that an "overseas cyberattack" targeted the Office of the President's website. The website was reportedly down for 20 minutes.
The flight monitoring software, Flightradar 24 was also reported by many users to have been taken down during the cycberattacks.
Pelosi is the highest level official to visit the island in 25 years.
China Pools Amphibious Tanks And Military Equipment Adjacent To Taiwan - There have been many reports, and sightings of Chinese military vehicles, equipment and tanks in the Chinese city of Xiamen and the province of Fujian, which sits straight across from the island of Taiwan.
The Chinese military vehicles and equipment have not only been spotted within the city, but also gathering on the Fujian beaches adjacent to Taiwan. China says that the vehicles and equipment is for military exercises that will be held from August 2nd, to August 6th.
Of the vehicles present on the beaches, are Chinese Type 63A amphibious tanks which are used to carry out beachhead assaults and navigate across rivers and lakes.
Large amounts of military equipment continue to be moved by China to Fujian as U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to make a visit to Taiwan, in the midst of Chinese threats of a response.
Chinese Airline In Xiamen Announces Large Number Of Flights Canceled - According to Taiwan's official state news The Central News Agency (CNA) and the Xiamen Airlines website, China's Fujian region has announced August 2nd that airspace flow control will be implemented, and a "large number of flights have been canceled".
CNA reported (translated from Mandarin) "Since the Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi will visit Taiwan tonight, there is speculation that the control should be related to this incident."
Taiwan's state news also said, "Xiamen Airlines issued an announcement this morning stating that due to the impact of traffic control in Fujian, some flights will be adjusted today. Although Xiamen Airlines did not further explain the reasons for traffic control, public opinion generally believed that it was related to Pelosi Will arrive in Taiwan tonight to visit."
The news agency added, "After checking the public flight information, there are still a few flights taking off smoothly at Quanzhou Jinjiang Airport and Xiamen Gaoqi Airport this morning, but almost all the flights that have not yet taken off have been canceled."
The Central News Agency also reported that locals in Xiamen who spoke to them said that flights have been adjusted since August 1st, and told CNA that he had never seen such a thing in over 10 years that he's been in Xiamen. He told the news agency, "What is the reason, everyone is tacit".
The person told CNA that Xiamen is said to be "the front line against Taiwan" geographically, and the fact that Pelosi might be taking a delegation to visit Taiwan had caused "a bad atmosphere" and mentioned that it has been very tense.
Pelosi Set To Travel To Taiwan Tuesday, Despite Warnings From Beijing - US Speaker Nancy Pelosi is set to travel to Taipei on Tuesday. Chinese military vessels and aircraft have been spotted carrying out tactical moves by touching the median line in the Taiwan Strait. Read Full Article
Satellite Photos Indicate China May Be Resuming Nuclear Tests - Satellite photos obtained from Planet Labs from the location of Lop Nur nuclear test site in China show what looks to be upgraded and expanded facilities, indicating that China may be preparing for nuclear tests for the first time in 26 years. Read Full Article
International Support For China's One-China Policy Amid Escalation With US Over Taiwan - As Pelosi is expected to arrive in the Asia Pacific, growing concerns come from other countries who are in support of China instead of the United States and an independent Taiwan. Read Full Article
Pelosi's Press Release Does Not Mention The Delegation Visiting Taiwan - U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has put out a statement outlining her trip to the Indo-Pacific region. The outline indicates that the Speaker will be visiting Singapore, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan, but does not mention visiting Taiwan. Read Full Article
Former State Department Spokesperson Says China Will Be Getting Even More Aggressive - Morgan Ortagus, who is a former State Department spokesperson said that she believes that China is going to be getting more aggressive in both rhetoric and action in the foreseeable future as it is incredibly important for them to have control. Read Full Article
Neutral Zurich No Longer Neutral, Sanctions Possible If China Invades Taiwan - In the event China invades Taiwan, the director of the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs expects Switzerland to adopt any measures that are implemented by the European Union against China. Read Full Article
China: Preparing For War, Says Taiwan Will Be Where US Shows Its True Paper Tiger Face - A message posted by China's official People's Liberation Army (PLA) 80th Group over Pelosi's possible visit to Taiwan stated on the Chinese social media website Weibo said: Get ready for war, over Pelosi's visit to Taiwan. Read Full Article
Japanese Officials Meet with Taiwan President to Discuss Conflict Preparation - High-level officials, who previously held defense ministry positions in Japan, have visited Taiwan to discuss possible ways to prepare for possible conflict with Beijing and shore up Asia-Pacific defenses in the region. Read Full Article
China To Hold Live Fire Military Exercises In Waters West Of QiongZhou Strait - The Chinese Navy will be holding live fire military exercises "in waters west of the Qiongzhou Strait" in the South China Sea on Friday and Saturday.
During the military exercises, entry will be prohibited, according to the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration.
Three navigation warnings were issued by the Guangdong Maritime Safety Administration (MSA): GD70/22, GD71/22, GD73/22, which have advised vessels against entering three 'designated' areas of the South China Sea during the times set apart for the exercises.
North Korea Warns South Korea Will Be Wiped Out If Preemptive Strike Carried Out - North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has warned South Korea's leader Yoon Suk-yeol and his government of military gangsters will be wiped out if it makes any dangerous attempt, such as a preemptive strike. Read Full Article
USS Ronald Reagan Battle Group In The South China Sea Amidst Biden Call With Xi - In response to the latest blasts from the east regarding Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, the United States military has decided to send the largest ship in the fleet, the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan, along with its battle group to the South China Sea. Read Full Article
Xi Jinping Warns Biden Against Playing With Fire Over Taiwan - Chinese President Xi Jinping alerted US President Joe Biden against playing with fire over Taiwan, as Beijing's disputes are accelerating over a conceivable visit to Taiwan by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Read Full Article
Three Chinese Military Aircraft Enter Taiwan's ADIZ July 26th, 2022 - Three Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's southwest Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on July 26th, 2022.
The Chinese aircraft included: Two JH-7 fighter bombers and one Y-8 Antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. CAP aircraft were tasked, radio warnings were issued and missile defense systems were deployed to monitor the activities of the Chinese aircraft.
China Has Verified Its Warnings To The US Over Pelosi's Taiwan Visit - China has dispatched stricter admonishments to U.S. Functionaries about Speaker Nancy Pelosi's probable visit to Taiwan a foreign ministry representative said on Monday. Read Full Article
Science Lab Module Added To the Chinese Tiangong Space Station - The Tiangong space station has received a new module, the Wentian science laboratory, which was docked with the Tianhe living module at around 3:13 AM local time on Monday. Read Full Article
US Intelligence: Bio-Weapons Being Made That Target People's Unique DNA - A U.S. House Intelligence Committee member has put out a warning to Americans not to so easily share their genetic information to websites like the Biotechnology company 23andMe, as there are bio-weapons being developed that can target an individual's DNA and potentially kill them. Read Full Article
Two Chinese Military Aircraft Enter Taiwan's ADIZ - Two Chinese military aircraft entered into Taiwan's southwest Air Defense Identification Zone on July 25th, 2022. The Chinese aircraft included a Y-8 RECCE reconnaissance aircraft and J-11 fighter jet.
Four Chinese Military Aircraft Enter Taiwan's ADIZ - Four Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on July 24th, 2022. The aircraft included a reconnaissance plane and flew through the Taiwan Strait, as well as the northwestern part of the Philippine Sea.
The Chinese planes that entered Taiwan's ADIZ included: Two J-16 fighter jets, one Y-8 Anti-submarine warfare aircraft and one Y-8 RECCE (reconnaissance) plane.
Pelosi Says Chinese Military Might Shoot Down Her Plane Over Taiwan - Pelosi would not confirm whether or not she will be following through with her plans to travel to the island of Taiwan in August, but did say that she believes that the military may be afraid her plane would be shot down by Chinese forces as they neared Taiwanese airspace. Read Full Article
China May Declare No-Fly Zone Over Taiwan And Fly Over The Island If Pelosi Visits - Chinese state media says that China might try to impose a no-fly zone over the island of Taiwan ahead of Nancy Pelosi's visit in order to prevent the U.S. speaker of the House from being successful. Read Full Article
CIA Director Asserts That China Intends To Take Control Of Taiwan - CIA Director William Burns stated that Xi Jinping has the intention to take control of the Island of Taiwan, but has been studying the Russian invasion of Ukraine Read Full Article
Former US National Security Advisor Admits Plotting Coups, China, Venezuela Respond - Former U.S. national security advisor John Bolton publicly admitted that he has helped plan coups abroad. China took note of the interview and reported about it on their military website. Read Full Article
China: We Will Act Strongly If US Official Insists On Visiting Taiwan - Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin repeated on Thursday that China will act strongly to respond to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's planned trip to Taiwan and take countermeasures if the United States insists on making the visit. Read Full Article
Biden: Pentagon Does Not Support Pelosi Visiting Taiwan, After China Warning - Biden is now urging Pelosi to cancel her visit to the Island of Taiwan after China put out a warning about forceful measures being taken if Pelosi made the trip to the region. Read Full Article
China Warns Of Forceful Measures If Nancy Pelosi Visits Taiwan - TAIWAN STRAIT - A US guided-missile destroyer USS Benfold sailed through the Taiwan Strait on July 19th, 2022 with the Chinese military following and monitoring its transit; after which China claims the United States 'hyped' the transit up publicly and slammed the US as a 'maker of security risks'. Read Full Article
China Warns Of Forceful Measures If Nancy Pelosi Visits Taiwan - China: if U.S. Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visits the Taiwan Region, there will be consequences. The Chinese Foreign Ministry stated on Tuesday that if U.S. Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi visits the "Taiwan Region", there will be consequences. Read Full Article
Capital Police In Islamabad, Pakistan Put Security On High Alert - Capital police in Islamabad, Pakistan have put security on high alert for the next 48 hours across the district, with "no unnecessary movement" allowed.
The Islamabad Police put out the following statements: "Islamabad Capital Police has put security on high alert for the next 48 hours across the district. IG Islamabad Dr. Akbar Nasir Khan has issued security high alert orders. Checking has been increased on all entry and exit routes".
"Security has been tightened at all police stations, important buildings and important installations. Additional police personnel have been deployed in the red zone. Strict checking is going on at the entry and exit points of the red zone. No unnecessary movement will be allowed. Citizens are requested to cooperate with the police during checking".
Former US Defense Secretary Believes South Korea Would Get Involved In Taiwan/China Conflict - SOUTH KOREA - Former U.S. Defense Secretary Mark Esper says that South Korea will have no choice but to intervene with the United States in the Taiwan Strait if conflict breaks out between China and Taiwan. Read Full Article
Chinese Researchers Create AI Prosecutor Called 'Lex Ex Machina - Chinese researchers have created an artificial intelligence (AI) program named 'lex ex machina' that is reportedly capable of identifying a crime and press charges. Read Full Article
Ukraine Cuts Diplomatic Ties With North Korea - Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says that they have cut ties with North Korea as a result of North Korea recognizing the "independence" of Ukrainian territories under the occupation of Russia.
The statement put out by Ukraine's Foreign Ministry said that they strongly condemn the decision by North Korea to recognize the "so-called "independence" of the territories temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine".
"We consider this decision as an attempt by Pyongyang to undermine the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, a gross violation of the Constitution of Ukraine, the UN Charter and the fundamental norms and principles of the international law," it added.
The DPR, or Donetsk People's Republic pro-Russian separatists in Donetsk, Ukraine had stated that it was in discussions with Pyongyang regarding North Korea's recognition of its independence.
After the North Korean embassy in Moscow reportedly confirmed their recognition of the DPR and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry had announced that they were cutting diplomatic relations with North Korea.
"In response to such an unfriendly act, Ukraine announces the severance of diplomatic relations with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea [North Korea's official name]".
China Claims It Chased U.S. Destroyer Away From Disputed Paracel Islands - SOUTH CHINA SEA - Chinese military is claiming that it drove a U.S. destroyer, the USS Benfold, away from the disputed Paracel Islands in the South China Sea on Wednesday, after claiming the ship had entered its territorial waters illegally. Read Full Article
North Korea Fires Possible Artillery Shots From Multiple Rocket Launchers - The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) put out a statement that it detected "trajectories" that were believed to be artillery shots off North Korea's coast between 6:21 p.m. to 6:37 p.m.
South Korean news agency Yonhap reported that an "informed source" stated that the South Korean military had detected two "trajectories".
The JCS statement said, "While bolstering our military's surveillance and vigilance, South Korea and the United States are working closely and maintaining a thorough readiness posture".
Not long after the shots were fired, Yonhap reported that the The presidential National Security Office (NSO) held a meeting headed by National Security Adviser Kim Sung-han in order to review the South Korean military's readiness.
The South Korean presidential office said that they are keeping close tabs on the possibility that North Korea might carry out more launches.
- Alert Put Out By Donald Standeford
Sri Lanka is Imploding | PM Agrees to Resign - SRI LANKA - Ranil Wickremesignhe, Sri Lanka Prime Minister has agreed to step down and resign once a new government is formed, after official party leaders in the Sri Lankan Government laid out demands that he and the president resign, following a protesting mob of enraged Sri Lankan citizens storming the president's office and official residence. Read Full Article
Chinese Fighter Jets Cross Taiwan Strait, Taiwan Calls The Move Provocative - China sent military aircraft into the Taiwan Strait on Friday, a move that Taiwan is calling "provocative", as U.S. senator Rick Scott visited the island in order to meet with Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, which China has openly criticized.
China claims that the island of Taiwan is part of mainland China, and Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin said that there is "no such thing as international waters" in the Taiwan Strait and said that China has sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction over the entire Taiwan Strait, and claims that vessels passing through the strait are violating China's own territorial sovereignty.
Taiwan's Defense Ministry said that the Chinese military aircraft "intentionally crossed the median line of the strait in a provocative move, which has seriously damaged regional peace and stability".
Their Defense Ministry also said that their own aircraft "forcefully expelled" the Chinese aircraft and that they deployed ground-to-air missiles in order to "monitor" the situation.
The incident took place after China carried out a number of military exercises, patrols, and drills in both the sea and air around the island of Taiwan. Chinese defense spokesperson Wu Qian had said that they were in response to "collusion and provocations" by both the United States and Taiwan.
Tsai put out a Tweet saying, "Unprecedented threats from authoritarian actors will not deter us in Taiwan from working with our partners around the world to uphold liberal values [and] strengthen democratic institutions".
While China regularly flies aircraft into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone, or ADIZ, crossing over into the median line, also called the Davis Line does not happen as often.
The Chinese military aircraft also entered the Davis Line from the northwest, flying across the Davis Line and then circled the location until the Taiwanese aircraft "repelled" the aircraft.
Japanese Former Prime Minister Shot And Killed In Nara, Japan - The Japanese former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has been shot in the western prefecture of Nara, Japan and had died due to cardiopulmonary arrest after being taken to the hospital, where he had been being given blood transfusions in an effort to try to save his life.
The weapon appears to be an improvised shotgun. The suspect, 41 year old Yamagami Tetsuya has been brought into custody, and has told authorities that he shot Shinzo Abe due to a grudge had had with the Prime Minister on political issues, according to Japanese media.
NHK News said that one of their reporters on the scene heard two shots at around 11:30 a.m. shortly after Abe began his speech and that the former Prime Minister appeared to have been shot around his chest and neck.
NHK also reported that a woman on the scene said that there were two shots. She saw a man approaching Abe from behind as he was delivering a speech, and didn't see anyone fall down after the first shot, which she said was very loud and that he collapsed after the second gunshot.
She said that the suspect stayed where he was and didn't try to run, he put his gun down and waited to be caught by security personnel.
US: China Not Giving Material Support To Russia For Ukraine War - The United States commerce department says that China has not been seen evading sanctions, or providing military equipment to Russia and said that enforcement measures that were taken earlier in the week were targeting Chinese companies, not the government.
The statement comes after five companies in China were added to a trade blacklist for allegedly supporting Russia's military.
A senior Biden administration official spoke to Reuters and said "“China is not providing material support. This is normal course-of-business enforcement action against entities that have been backfilling for Russia".
"We have not seen the PRC (People’s Republic of China) engage in systematic evasion or provide military equipment to Russia" they added, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Although the Biden administration has not found that China has been helping Russia's military with material support, or evading sanctions to help Russia, and Beijing has stated the same, China has been refusing to condemn Russia's actions in Ukraine and criticized the United States for the sweeping sanctions that have been placed upon Russia.
Chip Shortage: New U.S. Vehicle Sales Drop But Demand Still Greater Than supply - UNITED STATES - Although new vehicle sales in the United States have dropped by over 21 percent in the second quarter, versus a year ago, demand is still greater than supply due to a global shortage of semiconductors in spite of rising inflation, fuel prices and interest rates.
Ukraine produces around 70% of the world's neon gas, which is used to operate the lasers used in manufacturing semiconductors. While Russia's invasion on Ukraine is greatly influencing the global microchip shortage, a Chinese invasion of Taiwan, which we have covered extensively in the past would greatly exacerbate shortages. Read Full Article
US, South Korea and Japan Vow Joint Response If North Tests Nuclear Weapon - The United States, South Korea, and Japan have vowed a response to any North Korean nuclear test and said that the response would be in the form of joint military drills, according to Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Wednesday.
Kishida spoke to reporters and said, "The possibility of further provocations by North Korea is increasingly concerning," and said that it's important for the United States, Japan, and North Korean alliances to bolster deterrence.
"In the event of a nuclear test [by North Korea], South Korea, the U.S., and Japan will respond together, including joint training," he said.
U.S. President Joe Biden had also said that the three countries "remain deeply concerned about DPRK’s continued escalatory ballistic missiles tests and potential to conduct a nuclear test".
"Our trilateral cooperation, in my view, is essential to achieving our shared objectives, including a complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and a free and open Indo-Pacific," Biden had added.
At the same time, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has also adopted a new strategic concept which was revealed at the NATO Summit that states, "the erosion of the arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation architecture has negatively impacted strategic stability" that addresses North Korea's nuclear and missile programs as well as the use of nuclear weapons.
The new NATO strategic concept outline also states that "the Indo-Pacific is important for NATO, given that developments in the region can directly affect Euro-Atlantic security," and seeks to strengthen both dialogue and cooperation with partners in the region.
Australian Bank Collapses, Urging Customers To Pull Their Funds - Australian bank, Volt has collapsed in the midst of rising inflation and the bank has urged their customers to pull their funds from their accounts before it closes them on Tuesday. Inflation in Australia and US on the rise. Read Full Article
Russian And Chinese Vessels Working Together In Waters Near Japan - The Japanese defense ministry reported around 10 Russian Chinese navy vessels earlier this month in Waters Near Japan, leaving analysts to believe that the two countries are sending a message to Japan, the United States as well as Taiwan.
A high-ranking Defense Ministry official said that "It was a clear demonstration of cooperation between China and Russia".
What confused officials and analysts, however, is how both China and Russia staggered their voyages so that each country's voyages were slightly separated from one another. "China may have wanted to avoid openly working with Russia, especially at a time when it is facing international criticism for its invasion of Ukraine" the official stated.
The Defense Ministry official said that Japan must "view the situation calmly and not go beyond the limits of provocation," as there hasn't been any confirmation that their vessels or aircraft ever entered Japanese waters or airspace.
China Expresses "Serious Concern" And "Resolute Protest" Regarding NATO's New Strategic Concept - Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Zhao Lijian on Thursday expressed "serious concern" and "resolute protest" on behalf of the CCP regarding the NATO's new 'Strategic Concept', saying that it ignores facts, distorts the truth and vilifies China's foreign policy.
"The so-called NATO’s new Strategic Concept ignores facts, distorts the truth, vilifies China's foreign policy, makes irresponsible statements about China’s natural military development and its national defense policy, promotes confrontation and conflict, it is filled with the Cold War mentality and ideological prejudices", he stated.
"China expresses serious concern and resolute protest over this", claiming that China has always strived for global peace, defended the international order and facilitated global development.
He also claimed that China has never invaded another country, or joined or formed any military blocs, always following the path of a peaceful development.
Putin: BRICS Countries Setting Up Global Reserve Currency To Cut Financial Reliance On West - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on June 21st that the BRICS countries, which include Russia, China, Brazil, and South Africa (Iran and Argentina have applied but not yet accepted) are currently working on setting up a global reserve currency to cut their financial reliance on the West.
Putin stated at the BRICS business forum, "The issue of creating an international reserve currency based on a basket of currencies of our countries is being worked out". The Russian President also said that the BRICS member states are in the process of developing reliable alternative mechanisms for making international payments.
The BRICS group had previously stated that it was working on setting up a payment network that would cut financial reliance on the West, and have been increasing using local currencies in mutual trade with one another, according to the Economic Times.
China Claims Two US Military Aircraft Flew Through Taiwan Strait On June 28th - China has claimed that two U.S. military aircraft flew through the Taiwan Strait on Tuesday, Jun 28th, according to the SCS Probing Initiative (SCSPI).
The SCSPI claimed that a U.S. Navy (USN) EP-3E Aries II electronic warfare and reconnaissance aircraft were "diving into the Taiwan Strait" and claimed that they were supporting the operation of a United States Navy (USN) surface ship.
The statement from the SCS Probing Initiative said "USN EP-3E #AE1D94 is diving into Taiwan Strait this morning on June 28, which is likely to support the operation of USN surface ship".
Another statement by the SCSPI on their Weibo account said that a U.S. Air Force Boeing RC-135W Rivet Joint electronic surveillance aircraft on that day had also flown through the Taiwan Strait, East China Sea as well as the Yellow Sea.
They theorized that the American aircraft had been collecting electromagnetic spectrum signals from Chinese air and sea platforms.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin has said that there is "no such thing as international waters" in the Taiwan Straits and said that China has sovereignty , sovereign rights and jurisdiction over the entire Taiwan Straits, and claims that vessels and aircraft passing through the straits are violating China's territorial sovereignty.
South Korea Says North Korea Increasingly Targeting South - South Korea’s unification minister Kwon Young-se says that North Korean nuclear weapons are not just targeting the United States, but also targeting South Korea, pointing to a March test of a multiple rocket launcher system (MRLS). Read Full Article
North Korea Accuses US Of Creating Asia-Style NATO To Overthrow Its Leader - The North Korean government has accused the United States of creating an "Asia-Style NATO" in order to overthrow the North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un on Sunday pointing to the military cooperation between the US, Japan and South Korea. Read Full Article
Iran Applies To Become A Member Of BRICS - Iran has applied to become a member of the BRICS, a group of emerging world economies that include: Russia, China, South Africa, Brazil and India.
Iran's Foreign Ministry said that the move "would result in added values for both sides".
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Argentina has also applied to join the BRICS group. Zakharova stated in Telegram "While the White House was thinking about what else to turn off in the world, ban or spoil, Argentina and Iran applied to join the BRICS".
At the moment the BRICS group has a combined population of about 3.2 Billion. Iran has a population of around 85 to 86 million people, while Argentina has a population of around 45 million people.
If both Iran and Argentina join BRICS , it would bring the total combined population of the group to around 3.3 billion.
China Ready To Supply Aircraft Components To Russia - Chinese Ambassador to Moscow Zhang Hanhui told Russian state news TASS that they are ready to supply aircraft components to Russia, noting that there are no restrictions from the Chinese side.
"We are ready to supply components to Russia, we are organizing such cooperation. [Airlines] are currently addressing [it], they have certain channels, there are no restrictions from the Chinese side".
TASS noted that the European Union had prohibited the sale and supply, including leasing of aircraft, as well as components for Russian air carriers over the situation in Ukraine, but said that Russian authorities responded by 'taking a number of actions' including allowing local carriers "to continue exploiting aircraft leased or rented from foreign companies".
China: US Sent Destroyer To South China Sea After US Spy Plane Flew Over Taiwan Strait - Chinese state media, Global Times claims that the United States sent a destroyer to the South China Sea just one day after sending a P-8A anti-submarine aircraft 'spy plane' over the Taiwan Straits. Read Full Article
Chinese Ships Spotted Around Japanese Islands 72 Consecutive Days - (Based on translation) On June 26th, a Japan Coast Guard boat confirmed that the Chinese Coast Guard was navigating in the 'contiguous waters' on the 'overseas side' of the territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands administered by Japan, in the Okinawa Prefecture, according to Japanese The Sankei News.
The Sankei News reports that this is the 72nd day in a row that Chinese Authorities have confirmed vessels around the Senkaku Islands. The Japanese 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters (Naha) reported that Japanese patrol boats warned the Chinese vessels against approaching the "territorial waters".
China Says "We'll Take Taiwan By All Means", Says US Is Starting Wars - China says that they "can't leave Taiwan independent" and that they will "retake Taiwan by all means, including military ones" if they can't reunify the island using peaceful methods. They also said that the United States wants two wars, one in Europe and one in Asia.
Chinese ambassador to France Lu Shaye said "We can’t leave Taiwan independent. We’ll retake Taiwan by all means, including military ones. If we can’t reunify the country by peaceful means, what else are we left to do?"
"The Americans want to start two wars in the world: one in Europe, the other in Asia" he also said. "Taiwan is not a sovereign state. It has been an integral part of China since ancient times".
Meanwhile, Taiwan has been spotted by Alert 5 on Flight Radar flying a UAV around the island for 10 hours straight, likely on the lookout for activity around the island by Chinese forces.
Chinese Forces On High Alert After US Plane Flies Through Taiwan Strait - China says that their military went on high alert and they mobilized ground and air forces after a U.S. maritime plane flew through the Taiwan Strait. Furthermore, China says that their forces now remain on high alert. Read Full Article
Travel Advisories: June 1st - June 24th, 2022 - List of travel advisories from the U.S. Department of State from June 1st, 2022 to June 24th, 2022. KEY: Level 1: Normal Precautions | Level 2: Increased Caution | Level 3: Reconsider Travel | Level 4: Do Not Travel. For a clickable list visit the OSLINT Advisories post.
Cabo Verde Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 23, 2022
Hong Kong Travel Advisory Level 4 - June 22, 2022
Ecuador Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 22, 2022
Democratic Republic of the Congo Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 22, 2022
China Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 22, 2022
Republic of the Congo Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 22, 2022
Moldova Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 21, 2022
Ethiopia Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 21, 2022
El Salvador Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 21, 2022
Tanzania Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 21, 2022
Tanzania Travel Advisory Level 2 -June 21, 2022
Kenya Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 21, 2022
Guinea Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 21, 2022
Ghana Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 21, 2022
Bolivia Travel Advisory Level 2 -June 21, 2022
Sweden Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 21, 2022
Sint Eustatius Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 21, 2022
Romania Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 21, 2022
Fiji Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 21, 2022
Comoros Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 21, 2022
Botswana Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 21, 2022
Bhutan Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 21, 2022
United Arab Emirates Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 14, 2022
Mexico Travel Advisory Other -June 13, 2022
Iraq Travel Advisory Level 4 - June 13, 2022
Belarus Travel Advisory Level 4 - June 13, 2022
Honduras Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 13, 2022
Maldives Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 13, 2022
Cuba Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 13, 2022
Saba Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 13, 2022
Saba Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 13, 2022
Malawi Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 10, 2022
The Bahamas Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 8, 2022
Suriname Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 8, 2022
French Guiana Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 8, 2022
Denmark Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 7, 2022
Libya Travel Advisory Level 4 - June 6, 2022
Iran Travel Advisory Level 4 - June 6, 2022
Lebanon Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 6, 2022
Guyana Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 6, 2022
Guatemala Travel Advisory Level 3 - June 6, 2022
Zimbabwe Travel Advisory Level 2 - June 6, 2022
Saint Kitts and Nevis Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 6, 2022
Poland Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 6, 2022
Namibia Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 6, 2022
Mongolia Travel Advisory Level 1 - June 6, 2022
Russia Travel Advisory Level 4 -June 1, 2022
U.S. Lawmakers Push For Increased Involvement In The Indo-Pacific Region - U.S. lawmakers from both political parties have been coming out with a flurry of bills and resolutions aimed at expanding America's involvement in the Indo-Pacific region, including strengthening ties with nations in the region and increasing support for Taiwan. Read Full Article
China Flies Three H-6 Strategic Bombers Near Japan - Japan's Ministry of Defense reported that three Chinese PLAAF H-6 strategic bombers were spotted over international waters between the islands of Okinawa and Miyako-Jima on their way to the Pacific Ocean, then returned using the same route to the East China Sea.
Japan scrambled their fighter jets in order to both identify and track the bombers.
22 Chinese Military Aircraft Enter Taiwan's ADIZ June 23rd, 2022 - 22 Chinese military aircraft have entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) today, June 23rd, 2022.
The Chinese military aircraft included 10 J-16 fighter jets, 5 JH-7 fighter bombers, two KJ-500 airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft, two Y-8 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft, two H-6 nuclear capable bombers, and one Y-8 electronic warfare (EW) aircraft.
CAP aircraft were tasked, radio warnings were issued and air defense missile systems were deployed in order to monitor the activity of the Chinese military aircraft.
Six Chinese Military Aircraft Enters Taiwan's ADIZ June 22nd, 2022 - Six Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's southwest Air Defense Identification Zone on June 22nd, 2022. The military aircraft included four J-16 fighter jets, one Y-8 antisubmarine-warfare aircraft and one Y-8 electronic warfare (EW) aircraft.
CAP aircraft were tasked, radio warnings issued and air defense missile systems deployed in order to monitor the activities of the Chinese planes.
29 Chinese Military Aircraft Enter Taiwan's ADIZ - 29 Chinese military aircraft has entered Taiwan's southwest Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on June 21st, 2022 according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense.
The Chinese military aircraft included Eight J-16 fighter jets, six H-6 nuclear capable bombers, five J-11 fighter jets, four SU-30 multi-role fighter jets, two KJ-1500 Airborne Early Warning & Control aircraft, one Y-9 Electronic Warfare (EW) plane, one Y-8 Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) aircraft, one Y-20 Aerial Refueling aircraft and one Y-8 Antisubmarine Warfare (ASW) plane.
Taiwan's Ministry of Defense said (translated) "The Air Force should act as Reactions: Dispatch air patrol forces to respond, broadcast expulsion, and monitor anti-aircraft missiles. CAP aircraft tasked, radio warnings issued and air defense missile systems deployed to monitor the activities".
10 Chinese Military Aircraft Enter Taiwan's ADIZ - June 19th, 2022 - 10 Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone in the southwest corner on June 19th, 2022, making it the 8th day of intrusions into Taiwan's ADIZ so far this month.
The military aircraft that entered the ADIZ included 4 Shenyang J-16 fighter jets, two Chengdu J-10 fighter planes, two Shenyang J-11 jet fighters, and one KJ-500 airborne early warning and control plane according to Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense (MND). One Xian H-6 bomber also entered the southwest and southeast corners of Taiwan's ADIZ.
Taiwan responded to the incursion by sending out aircraft to intercept the Chinese planes, broadcasting radio warnings and deploying air defense missile systems in order to monitor the activity of the aircraft.
China Carries Out Land-Based Missile-Interception Test - China has carried out a land-based missile interception test that it said "achieved its expected purpose," according to the Chinese defense ministry who said that the test was purely defensive and not aimed at any country in particular.
China has carried out a land-based missile interception test that it said "achieved its expected purpose," according to the Chinese defense ministry who said that the test was purely defensive and not aimed at any country in particular.
The Chinese defense ministry statement said that "The test reached its expected goals. This test was defensive and not aimed at any country."
Full statement by the Chinese Ministry of Defense: "China successfully implements ground-based mid-course anti-missile interception technology test. On the evening of June 19, 2022, China conducted a land-based mid-course anti-missile interception technology test within its territory, and the test achieved the expected purpose. This test is defensive and not directed against any country".
Chinese Coast Guard Ships Intrude And Leave Japanese Waters - Two Chinese Coast Guard vessels intruded and then left Japanese territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands, leaving the territory on Sunday morning after having intruded the day before, according to Japan Times.
The two Chinese Haijing high speed patrol vessels left Japanese waters at around 11:25 a.m. on Sunday after 'repeatedly moving in and out' of the areas 'in line' with the movements of a Japanese fishing boat, according to officials from the Japanese regional Coast Guard headquarters.
Japan Times says that the 'Japanese-administered islands' in the East China Sea are claimed by China, and that China calls the islands Diaoyu.
US Bill To Make Taiwan 'Major Non-NATO Ally', China Warns Against 'Dangerous Policy' - WASHINGTON - A US Senate bill seeks to pave the way for a training program in order to increase armed forces interoperability between the United States and Taiwan, while significantly increasing support for the island, including billions of dollars in security assistance and making Taiwan a 'major non-NATO ally'. China has warned, however, against what they call a 'dangerous' policy overhaul. Read Full Article
China Launches 3rd Aircraft Carrier: The Fujian - China has launched its third aircraft carrier, manufactured by the China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) shipyard in Shanghai and named it Fujian which is named after a province located directly facing the island of Taiwan in an apparent statement to the island.
The Type-003 aircraft carrier is the largest aircraft carrier of any country in the world except for the United States. It has a full-length flight deck and a catapult launch system, according to Chinese state media.
The Fujian is the most advanced carrier that the Chinese Navy has and is equipped with the latest weaponry, having capabilities far better than even British, Indian or French aircraft carriers.
Satellite images taken of the new Chinese aircraft carrier show that it has similarities to the capabilities of the Ford-class carriers operated by the United States. However, unlike the Ford-class carrier it is not nuclear powered, though some analysts believe that China will be putting out a nuclear-powered carrier next.
A senior Taiwan official spoke to Reuters and said that the new carrier is sending a message about China's intentions about projecting power in the Pacific.
"In the future, they want to directly penetrate to the east of the first island chain, which includes Japan's Ryukyu Islands and the Pacific waters off Taiwan's east" the official reportedly stated.
"Any regional cooperation is seen by Beijing as an intervention in the Taiwan issue or a challenge to China. The launch of the new carrier is a defiant statement".
United States Announces Sending $122 Million To Medical Research Institutions In India - WASHINGTON- The United States has announced sending $122 million to the top three medical research institutions in India in order to "prevent avoidable pandemics, early detection of disease threats, and rapid and effective response", according to the Indian Express newspaper.
The total amount the U.S. will give to these institutions will be USD 122,475,000 and will be distributed to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), National Institute of Virology (NIV), and the National Institute of Epidemiology (NIE) over a five years period of time.
The announcement was made by the Centers For Diseases Control And Prevention (CDC) on Wednesday. A media release said that the funding would help India accelerate progress toward a safer and more secure India from the threat of epidemics by focusing on the emerging and re-emerging pathogens through ICMR institutions.
It also said that this would include detecting and controlling zoonotic disease outbreaks through a 'one health' approach, evaluating vaccine safety monitoring systems, capacitating the public health workforce in field epidemiology and outbreak response as well as combating antimicrobial resistance.
North Korea Expanding Nuclear Test Site And Adding Second Tunnel - The Center for Strategic and International Studies has put out a report that says that North Korea appears to be expanding work at its nuclear test site and adding a second tunnel. Meanwhile, U.S. and South Korean officials say that North Korea is ready to conduct a nuclear test any day.
The think tank said that preparations at the Punggye-ri Nuclear Test Facility's Tunnel Number 3 have been completed and the site is ready for a nuclear test, and said that their analysts have spotted new construction at tunnel number 4 at the facility, which they said is "strongly suggesting an effort to re-enable it for potential future testing".
China To Russia: Beijing To Keep Backing Russia On Sovereignty And Security - Chinese President Xi Jinping told Russian President Vladimir Putin in a phone call on Wednesday that Beijing will keep backing Moscow on "Sovereignty and security", according to Chinese state media.
Chinese state broadcaster CCTV reported Xi Jinping ans saying that China is "willing to continue to offer mutual support (to Russia) on issues concerning core interests and major concerns such as sovereignty and security".
China has not condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine since Putin began his war on the country and has continued to criticize sanctions placed on Russia by the West, as well as weapons and arms sales to Ukraine from Western countries.
According to CCTV, the Chinese President applauded the "good momentum of development" in bilateral relations between the two countries since the beginning of the year "in the face of global turmoil and changes".
He also reportedly said that China is ready to "strengthen communication and coordination", as well as "push the international order and global governance towards more just and reasonable development".
He added that Bejing is willing to "intensify strategic coordination between the two countries" according to the report.
China Says Taiwan Strait Part Of Their EEZ, Warns US To Stay Out - CHINA - China has notified the United States that the Taiwan Strait is a part of their maritime exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and not international waters, opposing the U.S. view that the strait is part of international waters. They have also given a warning to the U.S. to stay out of the Strait saying that they have sovereign rights over it. Read Full Article
Taiwan: Chinese Invasion Would Do More Damage To Global Economy Than Ukrainian Invasion - Former Taiwanese minister of former affairs John Deng said on Tuesday that a Chinese invasion of Taiwan would do more damage to the global economy than the Russian invasion on Ukraine has.
Deng said that the world relies on Taiwan for computer chips used in electric vehicles and smartphones. An invasion on Taiwan would have vast consequences on the technology industry.
"The disruption to international supply chains; disruption on the international economic order; and the chance to grow would be much, much (more) significant than this one" he stated, comparing the Russian invasion of Ukraine to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan.
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North Korea Ready To Carry Out Nuclear Test At Any Time - South Korea's unification ministry stated on Tuesday that North Korea is ready to carry out a nuclear test at any time, South Korean news agency Yonhap quoted an anonymous official from the ministry as saying.
"North Korea is currently prepared to conduct a nuclear test at any time in case Chairman Kim Jong-un decides to do so" the official reportedly stated on the condition of anonymity.
The official also reportedly said that South Korea and Washington are both 'discussing various countermeasures', including measures through the United Nations Security Council.
Iran Tests New Trade Route Linking Russia To Asian Export Markets - According to the Iranian state's shipping company, Iran has commenced its first shipment of Russian goods to India using a new trade route that uses Iran to link Russia to Asian export markets.
The first shipment, which consists of wood laminate sheets weighing about 41 tons which began its departure at Saint Petersburg, Russia to the port city of Astrakhan. From there, the shipment will cross the Caspian Sea to the Iranian port of Anzali, where it will be transported by road to the port of Bandar Abbas on the Persian Gulf. After this it will be loaded back onto a ship and transported to the Indian port of Nhava Sheva, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency IRNA.
Dariush Jamali, director of a joint-owned Iranian-Russian terminal in Astrakhan said that the initial shipment is a 'pilot' transfer in order to test the corridor.
Jamali said that the transfer is being coordinated and managed by the Iranian state-run Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines Group along with its regional offices in Russia and India, and expects that it will take 25 days.
After heavy sanctions were placed on Russia, Iran has been Iran has been wanting to revive the North-South Transit Corridor that had previously been stalled. The Times of India reports that eventually the plan will be to build a railroad that transfers goods "arriving at Iranian Caspian Sea ports to the southeastern port of Chabahar".
Chinese Police Train Solomon Islands Police Due To Security Challenges - SOLOMON ISLANDS - Chinese police have begun training Solomon Islands police officers, with the first batch of exercises taking place at the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force (RSIPF) in Rove, which is a suburb of Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. Read Full Article
South Korea Detects "Trails" It Assumes Were Made By North Korean MRLs Launchers - South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) released a statement on Sunday night saying that they have observed "several trails" that it assumes were created by North Korean multiple rocket launchers (MRLs) on Sunday morning.
The released statement was in response to a report by local South Korean news agency Newsis which had reported that the North had conducted an MRL launch and cited an anonymous source in their report.
The South Korean military said that they had detected "trails" between 8:07 a.m. and 11:03 a.m but did not give any information about a launch site or flight information for the suspected rocket launch.
They said that they had detected 'several trajectories' they believed to be shots from artillery, presumably from multiple rocket launchers.
After the JCS confirmed the trails, the presidential office for South Korea spoke to reporters and said that "usually, relevant facts on conventional MRLs with shorter ranges and lower altitudes — like of those today — have often not been publicized".
The presidential office also said that first vice director of the National Security Office (NSO) Kim Tae-hyo held a meeting with security officials at 10:30 a.m. in order to discuss the launches, but that South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol did not attend the meeting.
A release by the office said that the meeting "reaffirmed the government’s position that it is concerned about how North Korea is consistently improving various weapons systems that cause direct threat to our national security".
The JCS put out a statement saying "While bolstering our military's surveillance and vigilance, South Korea and the United States are working closely and maintaining a thorough readiness posture".
Russia And China Build First Bridge Between The Two Countries As Ties Grow - Russia and China have finished building and opening up a cross-border bridge that they stated in February will bring the two countries closer together in their "no limits' partnership, before Russian President Vladimir Putin began his invasion of Ukraine.
The bridge, which is a little over half a mile in length and costs about $342 million has two lanes and links Russia's Blagoveshchensk city to the Chinese city of Heihe together across the Amur river (also called Heilongjiang river in China) according to Russian state news agency RIA Novosti.
In February, Russia said that the bridge, which had been started in 2016 and completed in May of 2020 would bring both China and Russia closer together by increasing trade. The construction had been delayed by COVID-19 restrictions, however, according to BTS-MOST, which is the construction firm that participated in building the bridge on the Russian side.
Deputy prime minister of Russia Yuri Trutnev said "In today's divided world, the Blagoveshchensk-Heihe bridge between Russia and China carries a special symbolic meaning".
During the opening ceremony for the bridge, Chinese Vice Premier Hu Chunhua said that China seeks to deepen practical cooperation with Russia in all areas, while Russia's Transport Minister Vitaly Savelyev said that the bridge will boost bilateral annual trade to over 1 million tons of goods.
According to BTS-MOST, the bridge should shorten the distance that Chinese goods have to travel to get to Russia by about 1,500 kilometers (930 miles). Vehicles traveling across the bridge have to pay a toll fee of 8,700 rubles ($150) but the fee should go down in price after the costs for constructing the bridge have been covered, according to the Jerusalem Post.
South Korea Ready To Increase Trilateral Cooperation With Japan and U.S. - South Korean defense minister Lee Jong-sup said during a speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue on Sunday that South Korea is ready to engage in talks with Japan in order to strengthen their cooperation and three-way alliance with the United States to counter North Korea.
He voiced a deep concern for the recent missile launches by North Korea, and a possible seventh nuclear test and said that the North's nuclear and missile development is beyond a threat, according to Japanese News NHK.
Jong-sup said that South Korea is ready to normalize their security cooperation between South Korea and Japan, as well as its trilateral cooperation with the United States, and that the defense cooperation with Japan will be centered around the nuclear and missile threats posed by North Korea.
South Korea will increase security cooperation via 'senior level talks' and 'sharing information' which includes warnings of missile attacks.
U.S. Inflation At 40 Year High In May, Gas Prices Soaring - WASHINGTON - U.S. inflation hit a 40-year high of 8.6 percent in the month of May according to data given by the U.S. government on Friday. This makes it the 12th month in a row that the inflation percentage has been above 5%. Food and fuel prices are also soaring up, while China, India and other countries benefit from Cheap Russian Oil at discounted prices. Read Full Article
China And India Benefit From Cheap Russian Oil While Oil Prices Surge For West - Both India and China have drastically increased their imports of Russian oil at greatly discounted prices, with Indian purchases of Russian oil up by 400%, while countries buying from Russia benefit from discounted prices, the price for oil for the rest of the world is surging. Read Full Article
US Defense Secretary: China Continues To Harden Its Position Along Border With India - While at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said on Saturday that China is continuing to harden the position along the border it shares with India, and that the United States stands by its mutual defense commitments.
Austin also said that China is taking aggressive and illegal approaches to its claims on the territory in the South China Sea while it advances its maritime plans. "Further to the West, we see Beijing continuing to harden the borders it shares with India" he stated. "We remain unwavering in our mutual defense commitments".
Austin said that "We also stand by our friends as they uphold their rights that is especially important as the People's Republic of China adopts the war coercive and aggressive approach to its territorial claims" and said that the U.S. believes India's "growing military capability and technological prowess can be a stabilizing force in the region".
Charles A Flynn, a top US General just a day before had said that the activity by China near Ladakh is 'eye-opening' and that the infrastructure being created there is 'alarming' and said that the "destabilizing and corrosive" behavior of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in the Indo-Pacific region is not helpful.
China: We Will Not Hesitate To Start A War Over Taiwan - Chinese defense minister Wei Fenghe has said that they will "not hesitate to start a war" if Taiwan declares independence during face to face talks with U.S. defense minister Lloyd Austin on Friday in Singapore, according to China’s defense spokesman Wu Qian.
The Chinese defense minister said "If anyone dares to split Taiwan from China, the Chinese army will definitely not hesitate to start a war no matter the cost" and added that China would "smash to smithereens any 'Taiwan independence' plot and resolutely uphold the unification of the motherland".
He also said that "Taiwan is China's Taiwan... Using Taiwan to contain China will never prevail".
Austin told the Chinese defense minister that Beijing must "refrain from further destabilizing actions toward Taiwan", according to the Department of Defense.
The Pentagon released a statement after the meeting that said "The Secretary reiterated to General Wei that the United States remains committed to our longstanding one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three U.S.-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances".
"The Secretary reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Strait, opposition to unilateral changes to the status quo, and called on the PRC to refrain from further destabilizing actions toward Taiwan".
Wu said that the talks were "a good start" and stated a desire to meet with Austin again while he was visiting Asia.
US & South Korea & Japan Preparing Contingencies For North's 7th Nuclear Test - The United States, South Korea and Japan are working together closely in order to prepare 'for all contingencies' ahead of expected seventh nuclear test by North Korea a diplomatic envoy stated in South Korea.
The diplomatic envoy consisted of US Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim, South Korea’s special representative for Korean Peninsula peace and security affairs, Kim Gunn and Takehiro Funakoshi, director general of the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s Asian and Oceanian Affairs Bureau.
"The US assesses that the DPRK is preparing its Punggye-ri test site for what would be its seventh nuclear test. This assessment is consistent with the DPRK’s own recent public statements" US Special Representative for North Korea Sung Kim stated on Friday.
"We are preparing for all contingencies in close coordination with our Japanese and ROK allies" the envoy said. Kim said "We do remain committed to seeking dialogue with the DPRK and continue to hope that the DPRK will respond positively to our offers to meet without preconditions".
"North Korea’s relentless pursuit of nuclear weapons will only end up strengthening our deterrence. This will ultimately run counter to Pyongyang’s own interest. Simply put, the course that Pyongyang is currently embarking on has only one inevitable destination — reduced security for North Korea itself".
US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman had said that any nuclear test would be met with a "swift and forceful response".
China's envoy to the United Nations said on Thursday that Beijing does not want to see another nuclear test, according to Reuters. North Korea hasn't carried out a nuclear test in five years. Washington has put out a warning saying that a nuclear test by North Korea could happen at "any time".
Japanese Joint Staff: JASDF's Fighters Scrambled, Suspected Airspace Intrusion - The Japanese Joint Staff put out a statement saying "Yesterday, JASDF’s fighters scrambled to cope with a suspected intrusion into Japan’s airspace over the East China Sea, the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk. JSDF continues to responding to protect our territory and peace for the people of Japan 24/7. (sample image)".
Japan's Joint Staff also reported suspected intrusions on June 7th, 6th, 5th, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st so far this month.
U.S. Is Watching "Very Closely" For Possible Nuclear Test By North Korea - White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that the United States is 'watching very closely' for a possible nuclear test by North Korea, which Washington believes is preparing for its seventh nuclear test.
Sullivan told reporters on Wednesday that the numerous recent missile launches by North Korea "only further cemented the strength of our alliances. We've been able to conduct joint exercises with both of them in response to some of these launches".
He also said "We're also watching very closely the continuing possibility of a nuclear test, to which we would also have a robust response" and stated that there has been no contact with North Korea, but that the United States is willing and ready to engage in diplomacy if the country is prepared to come to the table.
U.S. Deploys B-1B Bombers To Guam Ahead Of Expected North Korean Nuclear Test - The U.S. has deployed B-1B bombers to Guam ahead of a nuclear test expected by Washington by North Korea, though one expert says that the deployment appears to just be part of a regular, rotational plan and could be related to the biennial field training exercise Valiant Shield taking place in Guam this month. Read Full Article
Japan's Plan To Dump Fukushima Wastewater Into Pacific Triggers Protests - Environmental activists in South Korea are protesting the plan by Japan to dump radioactive waste water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the Pacific Ocean in 2023. Read Full Article
Russia Suspends Fishing Deal With Japan As Japan Strengthens Ties With NATO - Russia's Foreign Ministry says that it is suspending a fishing agreement allowing Japan to have fishing rights near the disputed Kuril Islands, which are called the Northern Territories by Japan.
Russia says that Tokyo failed to make payments that were stipulated in the agreement, according to a statement by Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
While the failed payments were given by Russia as the reason for the suspension, many media reports blame the war in Ukraine for being the real reason behind the decision, due to the fact that Japan has been strengthening ties with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and has welcomed increased cooperation between Tokyo and NATO.
This comes as Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force conducted naval exercises with NATO in the Mediterranean Sea, and also conducted joint flight drills with the United States over the Sea of Japan with fighter jets.
Japanese Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi said that "The security of Europe and Asia are closely intertwined, especially now with the international community facing serious challenges".
World Bank: Less Developed Countries Facing Major Recession - The World Bank put out a statement saying that less developed countries in the world face a major recession as a result of the war in Ukraine, as well as the consequences of the COVID-19 lockdowns as the cost of energy and food continue to rise globally.
David Malpass, the President of the World Bank says that there is also a major risk of high inflation and small growth, which is also called 'stagflation'.
Malpass said that "The war in Ukraine, lockdowns in China, supply-chain disruptions, and the risk of stagflation are hammering growth. For many countries, recession will be hard to avoid".
"Subdued growth will likely persist throughout the decade because of weak investment in most of the world. With inflation now running at multi-decade highs in many countries and supply expected to grow slowly, there is a risk that inflation will remain higher for longer".
Although the countries that will be immediately affected in 2022, according to a World Bank forecast are Russia and Ukraine, it warned of long term effects [from the war and COVID lockdowns] that will likely have much wider effects.
Malpass said "Even if a global recession is averted, the pain of stagflation could persist for several years - unless major supply increases are set in motion".
Japanese Fighters Scrambled, Suspected Intrusion Into Japan's Airspace - Japanese Joint Staff statement (translated from Japanese): "Yesterday, the JASDF Western Air Defense Force’s fighters scrambled to cope with a suspected intrusion into Japan’s airspace over the East China Sea. JSDF continues to responding to protect our territory and peace for the people of Japan 24/7".
A different translation stated: "Yesterday, in the East China Sea, there was a risk of violation of airspace, so a fighter plane of the Air Self-Defense Force Western Air Defense Force took an emergency start and responded. The Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces will continue to take all possible measures 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to protect the peaceful lives of Japan's territory and its people".
US Warns North Korea Of A Forceful Response If It Carries Out Nuclear Test - US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman warned North Korea of a forceful response if the country decides to carry out a nuclear test, as both U.S. and South Korean officials say that the North is preparing it's first nuclear test in five years Read Full Article
China Building A Secret Naval Base In Cambodia - China is secretly building a naval base in Cambodia for the use of its military, according to statements from both Western officials and a Chinese official who partially confirmed an exclusive report from the Washington Post regarding the secret facility". Read Full Article
Japanese Fighters Scrambled, Suspected Intrusion Into Japan's Airspace - Japanese Joint Staff statement (translated from Japanese): "Yesterday, the JASDF Western Air Defense Force’s fighters scrambled to cope with a suspected intrusion into Japan’s airspace over the East China Sea. JSDF continues to responding to protect our territory and peace for the people of Japan 24/7".
A different translation stated: "Yesterday, in the East China Sea, there was a risk of violation of airspace, so a fighter plane of the Air Self-Defense Force Western Air Defense Force took an emergency start and responded. The Ministry of Defense and the Self-Defense Forces will continue to take all possible measures 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to protect the peaceful lives of Japan's territory and its people".
US, South Korea Stage Air Power Demonstrations After North's 8 Missile Launches - The United States and South Korea have conducted a joint air power demonstration in 'a show of readiness' on Tuesday a day after North Korea had fired off eight short-range missiles (SRBMs) on Sunday according to South Korean news agency Yonhap.
The demonstrations consisted of 20 warplanes which included F-35A stealth fighters, F-15Ks and KF-16s on the South Korean side, and F-16 fighter jets on the American side, according to a military official who spoke to Yonhap.
A military official who spoke to Yonhap said, "We conducted the combined flight to show our deterrence capabilities and capabilities to respond (to North Korean provocations)".
US And South Korea Test Launches 8 Ballistic Missiles - The United States and South Korea has test launched 8 surface-to-surface missiles from Army Tactic Missile Systems (ATACMS) toward the East Sea in response to the 8 missiles that North Korea had test fired over the weekend, according to the South Korean military. Read Full Article
Iranian Spy Put Thailand Police On Alert - Thailand's Royal Thai Police (RTP) issued a 'secret order' to police the country's police force on the lookout for spies from Iran, after an Iranian spy was arrested in Indonesia, according to the country's police force, who spoke to Bangkok Post.
The police source also said that the country's security agencies are 'closely monitoring' the movement of Iranian nationals, including some Thai Muslims that they have suspected may be Iranian spies within the country.
China Intercepted Australian Surveillance Aircraft And Released Chaff - The Australian defense department revealed on Sunday that a Chinese fighter aircraft had intercepted one of its Royal Australian Air Force planes in May, which resulted in a dangerous maneuver where it released a bundle of chaff which posed a threat to both the aircraft and its crew.
The Australian defense ministry said that one of its RAAF P-8 aircraft was intercepted by a Chinese J-16 fighter jet while the P-8 was doing 'routine surveillance activity' in international airspace in the South China Sea on May 26th, according to a statement.
The statement said, "The intercept resulted in a dangerous maneuver which posed a safety threat to the P-8 aircraft and its crew". The Australian defense department also said that its government raised concerns about the incident with the Chinese government.
Australian defense minister Richard Marles said that the Chinese aircraft flew very close to the RAAF P-8 aircraft and then released a 'bundle of chaff' which contained small pieces of aluminum which was then sucked up by the Australian aircraft's engine.
Marles told ABC news that this was "Quite obviously this is very dangerous".
North Korea Fires 8 Short-Range Ballistic Missiles Toward East Sea - The Japanese Coast Guard and South Korean military have both reported that North Korea has launched at least one ballistic missile toward the East Sea off of its east coast at around 09:08 a.m. to 09:43 a.m. KST.
South Korean news Yonhap is reporting that North Korea has fired 8 short-range ballistic missiles after Washington completed joint drills with South Korea which involved a U.S. aircraft carrier citing the South Korean military.
VOA Seoul bureau chief William Gallo also reported that "The eight North Korean short-range ballistic missiles were launched between 9:08-9:43am this morning, South Korea's military says".
The South Korean National Security Council is set to convene in response to the North Korean missile launches, according to Yonhap.
The missiles reached an altitude of between 16 and 56 miles and flew a distance of between 68 and 416 miles and it is believed that they reached between three to six times the speed of sound.
The South Korean military stated that they were "maintaining a full readiness posture" after consulting with U.S. forces, according to the Joint Chiefs.
U.S. Indo-Pacific Command released a statement that said that they were aware of the missile launches but said that they do "not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies".
"The U.S. commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad" the statement said.
Taiwan Bans Exports Of Modern Microchips To Russia And Belarus - Taiwan has banned all exports of 'modern' microchips to both Russia and Belarus, according to Taiwan News. The ban limits sales of all CPUs to chips with a frequency of less than 25 MHz to the two countries in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Read Full Article
Chinese Fighters 'Buzz' Canadian Planes Over Indo-Pacific Region - Canadian government officials have become 'increasingly concerned' about Chinese aggression towards its aircraft in the Indo-Pacific after Chinese jets repeatedly buzzed a Canadian surveillance plane that was part of a United Nations mission over international waters in the region, according to Canadian Global News. A food insecurity expert has told the United Nations Security Council that the world only has a 10-week supply of wheat left stored, and that global food insecurity has now reached levels that hasn't been seen since the 2008 financial crisis. Read Full Article
China Appointed To World Health Organization's Executive Board - On Friday, China was appointed to the World Health Organization's Executive Board.
U.N. Watch Executive Director Hillel Neuer stated "BREAKING: 🇨🇳 China has just been elected by acclamation to the World Health Organization’s Executive Board" and added "This is the regime that crushed those in Wuhan like Dr. Li Wenliang who courageously tried to warn the world about the coronavirus".
China Sends 30 Military Aircraft Into Taiwan's ADIZ - China has sent 30 military aircraft into Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on Monday, which is the largest incursion on the island's ADIZ since January and caused Taiwan to scramble their fighter own fighter jets.
The Chinese military aircraft that entered Taiwan's ADIZ included 8 J-11 fighter jets, six J-16 fighter jets, four J-10 fighters, four Y-8 Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) aircraft, 2 SU-35, two SU-30, one Y-8 Electronic Warfare (EW) aircraft and one Y-8 Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) plane.
According to the map provided by Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense, the Chinese aircraft traveled into the southwestern part of Taiwan's ADIZ, northeast of Pratas island which is administered by Taiwan.
Taiwan sent out fighter jets and issued radio warnings to warn the Chinese planes away, and deployed missile systems to monitor the aircraft.
World Only Has 10-Week Supply Of Wheat Left, Expert Tells UN - A food insecurity expert has told the United Nations Security Council that the world only has a 10-week supply of wheat left stored, and that global food insecurity has now reached levels that hasn't been seen since the 2008 financial crisis. Read Full Article
White House: United States Does Not Support Taiwan Independence - U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken made a statement Thursday saying that the Chinese threat will 'test U.S. diplomacy like nothing we've ever seen before' but said that the United States does not want another Cold War, and made it very clear that America does not support an independent Taiwan Read Full Article
South Korea: North Korea Has Been Testing A Nuclear Detonation Device - SOUTH KOREA - According to a South Korean official, North Korea has been testing a 'nuclear detonation device' for weeks, likely in preparation for a nuclear test, but that it is unlikely to conduct a nuclear test in the next couple of days, according to Kim Tae-hyo, who is the deputy director of the National Security Office (NSO), according to NK News. Read Full Article
DAVOS: Soros Says Russian Invasion May Have Been Beginning Of World War 3 - DAVOS, SWITZERLAND - Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros said on Tuesday that the Russian invasion on Ukraine may have been the beginning of World War Three, and that the best way to preserve free civilization was for the West to defeat Russia. Read Full Article
Lavrov: Russia To Focus On Ties With China And Cease Being Dependent Upon The West - On Monday, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia must cease being dependent upon the West, and that the 'dictator's position' of the West will lead economic ties with China to grow 'even faster'.
On Monday, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia must cease being dependent upon the West, and that the 'dictator's position' of the West will lead economic ties with China to grow 'even faster'.
Lavrov said that Russia is working to replace goods imported by Western countries, and that the country would only rely on 'reliable' countries that aren't beholden to the West.
"If they (the West) want to offer something in terms of resuming relations, then we will seriously consider whether we will need it or not" he stated, according to Russia's foreign ministry.
"We must cease being dependent in any way on supplies of absolutely everything from the West for ensuring the development of critically important sectors for security, the economy or our homeland's social sphere" he said.
"Now that the West has taken a 'dictator's position', our economic ties with China will grow even faster. In addition to direct revenue for the state budget, this is a chance to develop (Russia's) far east and eastern Siberia".
Lavrov said that China has information and communications technology that is "in no way inferior to the West. A great deal here will ensure mutual benefits" and said that Russia would count on "only ourselves and on countries which have proved themselves reliable and do not 'dance to some other piper's music'. If Western countries change their minds and propose some form of cooperation, we can then decide".
USINDOPACOM: North Korea Carried Out Multiple Ballistic Missile Launches - USINDOPACOM has put out a statement saying that they are aware that North Korea has carried out multiple ballistic missile launches, but that it does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to that of allies.
The statement by U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said, "CAMP H.M, SMITH, Hawaii -- We are aware of the multiple DPRK ballistic missile launches today and are assessing and consulting closely with our allies and partners. While this event does not pose an immediate threat to U.S. personnel or territory, or to our allies, the missile launches highlights the destabilizing impact of the DPRK’s illicit weapons program. The U.S. commitment to the defense of the Republic of Korea and Japan remains ironclad".
The South Korean government said that the three weapons that had been fired by North Korea included a suspected ICBM and two short-ranged ballistic missiles.
A statement put out by the South Korean government said, "North Korea’s sustained provocations can only result in stronger and faster South Korea-U.S. combined deterrence and can only deepen North Korea’s international isolation".
"(Our) government is maintaining constant readiness to strongly and effectively respond to any kind of North Korean provocation" the statement continued.
Japan's Coast Guard also reported that there had been a suspected ballistic missile launch by North Korea.
China Says It Has Enough Preparations To Contain Taiwan Independence - China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released a statement saying that China has full confidence, adequate capability and enough preparations to contain the "Taiwan Independence" and "separatist" activities.
The Ministry stated, "China has full confidence, adequate capability and enough preparations to contain the “Taiwan independence” separatist activities, thwart all external interference, and uphold its sovereignty and territorial integrity".
Japan Scrambles Jets After Russian And Chinese Warplanes Approach Airspace - Japan scrambled fighter jets after warplanes from both Russia and China approached its airspace on Tuesday. Japan called the action a "provocation" that was likely planned while it hosted an informal gathering of Quad nations.
The informal meeting consisted of leaders of four nations, Fumio Kishida, Joe Biden, Anthony Albanese and Narendra Modi. Japanese defense minister Nobuo Kishi expressed Japan's 'grave concerns' to both Russia and China regarding their actions and threatening its airspace, according to AFP.
Kishi said that two Chinese bombers had joined two Russian bombers in the Sea of Japan and "made a joint flight to the East China Sea". "After that, a total of four aircraft, two presumed (new) Chinese bombers – which replaced the two Chinese bombers – and two Russian bombers, conducted a joint flight from the East China Sea to the Pacific Ocean" he stated.
He also said that the aircraft hovered over Northern Hokkaido to the Noto Peninsula in central Japan.
Kishi said that Japan has lodged its concerns to both Russia and China through diplomatic channels. "As the international community responds to Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the fact that China took such action in collaboration with Russia, which is the aggressor, is cause for concern. It cannot be overlooked" he said.
South Korea Scramble Jets As Russian Warplanes Enter Air Defense Zone - South Korea has scrambled fighter jets after at least four Russian warplanes and four Chinese warplanes entered the country's Air Defense Identification Zone without giving notice.
The Russian and Chinese aircraft entered and left the Korea Air Defense Identification Zone (Korea ADIZ) in the Sea of Japan, or East Sea several times throughout the day, according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS).
The aircraft that entered into South Korea's ADIZ included fighter jets and bombers from both the Russian side and Chinese side, but they did not violate South Korea's airspace, according to the JCS.
South Korea deployed fighter jets to "implement tactical measures" in order to brace for a potential contingency.
Russia does not recognize the Korean ADIZ, and China says that the airspace is not territorial and that all countries should enjoy freedom of movement in the region.
Russia And China Hold Joint Aerial Patrol Over Japanese And East China Seas - Russia and China have held the first joint exercise since Russia's war on Ukraine began as a part of the two countries "annual military cooperation plan" over the Sea of Japan, East China Sea and Western Pacific, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry.
Both country's Air Force held 'regular joint strategic patrols' on Tuesday, with the Chinese Defense Ministry saying, "Air forces of China and Russia held regular joint strategic patrols above the Sea of Japan, the East China Sea and the West Pacific Ocean on Tuesday according to the two sides’ yearly military cooperative plan".
In addition to the joint aerial patrols, the Chinese Navy also sent warships through both of the strategically important straits in Northwestern and Southwestern Japan simultaneously, according to Chinese state media, Global Times.
Global Times claims that the move comes as US and Japanese leaders made, what they call "provocative" remarks to China.
Russia had also confirmed that there would be a joint patrol with China. The patrol lasted for 13 hours and involved Russian Tu-95 and Chinese Xian H-6 strategic bombers over the Japanese and East China seas.
A senior US administration official said that the joint exercise shows the depth of the two countries alignment. "We think it shows that China continues to be willing to closely align themselves with Russia, including through military cooperation" the official stated.
"China is not walking away from Russia. Instead, the exercise shows that China is ready to help Russia defend its east while Russia fights in its west".
Biden Announces 13 Member Indo-Pacific Framework Countering China - U.S. President Joe Biden has announced on Monday 13 countries that will be 'initial partners' of a US led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework in order to pushback on Chinese expansion in the Indo-Pacific region. Read Full Article
Biden: U.S. Would Intervene Militarily If China Were To Invade Taiwan - U.S. President Joe Biden says that the United States would intervene militarily if China were to invade Taiwan, and would defend the island from aggression from China.
While Biden stated that he doesn't believe that China will invade, he said that it has been 'flirting with danger'. When asked by a reporter whether the United States would intervene on behalf of Taiwan, he said "That's the commitment we made".
However, he also added "my expectation is that it will not happen" in reference to an invasion of the Chinese on the island of Taiwan. "It will not be attempted" he stated.
In October, Biden had made similar comments, but due to the fact that the United States has no official treaty to defend the island in the event of an attack, the White House walked his comments back.
In the same manner, after Biden's recent comments promising to defend Taiwan from Chinese aggression, a White House official who did not want to be named stated, "As the president said, our policy has not changed. He reiterated our one-China policy and our commitment to peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait".
"He also reiterated our commitment under the Taiwan Relations Act to provide Taiwan with the military means to defend itself" the official continued.
Taiwan Moves Its IDF And Mirage Jets In Response To Chinese ADIZ Incursions - Taiwan is moving its Indigenous Defense Fighters and Mirage 2000 jets to Penghu in the Taiwan Strait, and Taitung on the east coast in response to the constant incursions by Chinese military aircraft. Read Full Article
Biden Signs $40 Billion Aid Package To Ukraine While U.S. Inflation At 40 Year High - WASHINGTON - U.S. President Joe Biden signed a $40 billion dollar aid package to Ukraine during his visit to Seoul, the capital of South Korea after the Senate passed the package with an 86-11 vote, while inflation in the United States sits at a 40-year high. Read Full Article
14 Chinese Military Aircraft Enter Taiwan's ADIZ May 20th, 2022 - 14 Chinese military aircraft entered Taiwan's southwest Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on May 20th, 2022.
The military aircraft that entered the ADIZ on Friday included: Five J-16 fighter jets, Four J-11 fighter jets, Three H-6 bombers, one Y-8 Electronic Warfare (EW) plane, and one KJ-500 AEW&C aircraft.
CAP aircraft were tasked, radio warnings were issued and air defense missile systems were deployed to monitor the activities
South Korea: North Korea Finished Preparations For Nuclear Test - According to The National Intelligence Service, South Korea's spy agency on Thursday, North Korea has been weighing out the timing to conduct its seventh nuclear test and has completed its preparations for such a test. Read Full Article
North Korea Could Carry Out Nuclear Test During Biden Trip - U.S. National security advisor Jake Sullivan stated on Wednesday that U.S. intelligence indicates that North Korea may carry out a nuclear test, a missile test or both either before, during or after U.S. President Joe Biden takes his trip to South Korea and Japan this week. Read Full Article
White House: North Korea May Be Ready To Conduct A Nuclear Test By End Of Month - White House says North Korea may be ready to conduct a nuclear test by the end of the month, just a week after a state department spokesman said that North Korea is set to possibly resume nuclear tests in the near future Read Full Article
Chinese Aircraft Carrier Spotted Near Taiwan, Japan Scrambles Jets - SOUTH CHINA SEA - The Chinese Liaoning aircraft carrier was spotted by satellite images off Taiwan, while Japan stated that they had to scramble fighter jets after a suspected intrusion into its own airspace in the East China Sea. Read Full Article
Satellite Photos Indicate North Korea Resumed Construction Of Inactive Nuclear Reactor - Satellite photos by Maxar captured between April and May indicate that North Korea has resumed construction of an inactive nuclear reactor in recent weeks after years of inactivity.
The satellite photos show renewed construction at the Yongbyon nuclear complex, which is 10 times larger than North Korea's current Yongbyon nuclear reactor that has been in operation since the 1980s.
US officials say that they are closely monitoring the progress at the Yongbyon nuclear complex and that North Korea is making no effort to hide their activities at the facility.
The new Yongbyon reactor would increase North Koreas production of plutonium tenfold, or by a factor of 10 according to Jeffrey Lewis, who is a weapons expert and professor at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies.
North Korea Fires Three Short Ranged Ballistic Missiles - North Korea fired three short-ranged ballistic missiles from a location near Pyongyang toward waters off the North's east coast on May 13th, according to South Korea.
The missiles traveled about 224 miles, reaching an altitude of around 60 miles according to South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff, and were also reported to have been observed by the Japanese Defense Ministry.
This ballistic missile launch is North Korea's third so far this month, prompting South Korea's presidential office to release a statement saying that it "strongly regrets" the hostile behavior by North Korea and said that it would be taking 'stern measures' as a response.
South Korean media Yonhap reported that North Korea appeared to have fired the missiles from a large multiple rocket launcher at intervals of around 20 seconds. The missiles likely landed outside of Japan's exclusive economic zone, according to Japan Broadcasting Corporation (NHK).
China Has 'Financial Nuclear Bombs' If U.S. Enforces Sanctions On It - After watching the U.S. place a freeze on Russian central bank assets, and place harsh sanctions on the country, China has said that if the West places similar sanctions on them, China has 'financial nuclear bombs'. Read Full Article
18 Chinese Military Aircraft Enter Taiwan's ADIZ - 18 Chinese military aircraft has entered Taiwan's Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) on May 6th, 2022.
The Chinese military aircraft included six J-16 fighter jets, six J-11 fighter jets, two H-6 bombers, two KJ-500 Airborn early warning and control (AEW&C), one Y-8 Electronic Warfare (EW) aircraft, and one Y-8 Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) aircraft.
CAP aircraft were tasked, radio warnings were issued to the Chinese aircraft and air defense systems were deployed to track the planes.
South Korea Confirms North Korea's Launch Of Ballistic Missile - The South Korean Joint Chiefs of Staff has confirmed North Korea's launch of a ballistic missile that was launched from Sunan, Pyongyang at 12:03 pm on May 4th and landed into the East Sea.
The Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the missile had a flight range of 470 kilometers (292 miles) and an altitude of 780 kilometers (484 miles) with a speed of Mach 11.
South Korea's Yonhap news agency says that some South Korean and U.S. intelligence agencies are currently analyzing the specifications in detail.
Yonhap says that some experts believe North Korea might have reduced the range of the Hwasong-17 Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) that had failed in a March test, in order to retest the missile.
Joint Chiefs of Staff said that the successive ballistic missile launches by North Korea pose "a grave threat to the peace and stability of the Korean Peninsula as well as the international community and is a clear violation of 'UN Security Council resolutions".
The Joint Chiefs of Staff stated, "Our military is maintaining a full readiness posture while tracking and monitoring related trends in preparation for additional launches".
It was also reported that the United States Cobra Ball (RC-135S) reconnaissance aircraft was caught on sortie over the Korean Peninsula while the North Korean missile was being launched.
The Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida told reporters during his visit to Rome that "North Korea’s series of actions that threatens the peace, safety and stability of the international community are impermissible".
Kishida also said that he'll be discussing the launch when he meets with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi later on Wednesday. "Naturally, we will exchange views on the regional situation in the Indo-Pacific and East Asia, and I will thoroughly explain the reality of the region including the North Korean missile launch today, to gain understanding about the pressing situation in the East Asia" he stated.
North Korea Fires Unidentified Projectile Towards East Sea - North Korea has reportedly fired an unidentified projectile toward the East Sea just days after North Korean leader Kim Jong-un vowed to bolster its nuclear arsenal "at the fastest possible pace" and threatened to use them against rivals. Read Full Article
U.S. Has Given A Third Of Its Javelin Missiles To Ukraine - The United States has depleted about a third of its Javelin missiles due to donations of its stock of missiles to Ukraine to aid in its war with Russia, leaving lawmakers concerned that it leaves the United States vulnerable. Read Full Article
