China could cut off supplies to Taiwan-controlled Pratas Island, but forcing Taipei to abandon the remote outpost would require a sustained operation that might be too risky for Beijing, analysts told Radio Free Asia. The tiny atoll known as Dongsha Island in Chinese lies more than 400 kilometers (250 miles) from Taiwan’s main island, about 260 kilometers (160 miles) from the Chinese mainland in the northern South China Sea. The island’s isolation makes maintaining access by sea and air central to sustaining the coast guard and military personnel stationed there.…
Day: November 2, 2026
China’s Communist Party plenum targets passive ‘nice’ guys in anti-corruption push
China’s ruling Communist Party has pledged to target “old nice persons” within its ranks as it steps up its anti-corruption drive ahead of a major leadership reshuffle next year. Rendered in Chinese as lao hao ren, the term refers to unprincipled, conflict-averse officials who turn a blind eye to misconduct to protect their own careers and social standing. A resolution adopted at the close of the party’s 20th Central Committee’s fifth plenum last week signalled a crackdown on this culture of… South China Morning Post
OpenAI executive urges caution in China-US AI talks, warns of distillation threats
A top OpenAI executive said on Monday that Washington needs to be “clear-eyed” and “aware” about sharing information with Beijing during coming talks on artificial intelligence (AI), while also warning about the threat posed by alleged Chinese distillation attacks. “Be very clear-eyed. Be very aware of what information you are able to expect in return for what you are sharing, and start to build a foundation,” said Caroline Zier, OpenAI’s deputy lead for national security, during a discussion at… South China Morning Post
US midterm elections 2026: all you need to know
Americans go to the polls on Tuesday, November 3, in midterm elections that could reshape the final two years of Donald Trump’s second term as president. Control of both chambers of Congress is in play, along with 36 governorships. Polls suggest Democrats go into the vote with an advantage, but the outcome will hinge on a few dozen closely fought races. More than 100 million people are expected to vote if turnout matches the 2022 midterms. By October 12, a record US$3.8 billion had been spent on… South China Morning…
Will ‘strategic stability’ with China go out the window if Trump loses the midterms?
US President Donald Trump is likely to continue on a path of trying to stabilise ties with Beijing – even if the Democrats flip the House of Representatives, according to analysts. But they said if the Republicans lost control of the House in this week’s midterm elections, the framework of “strategic stability” agreed to by Washington and Beijing could be put to the test. One Chinese academic warned that other Republicans could pose the biggest risk to Sino-American ties in Trump’s final two… South China Morning Post
China Maritime Report #60: PLA Naval Aviation Personnel: Training and Career Paths for a Modern Force
Main Findings PLA Naval Aviation has undergone substantial institutional transformation over the past two decades. This transformation is driven by the goal of becoming a carrier-based force capable of effective joint operations in the maritime domain. This transformation has been accompanied by reforms to pilot education, training, and career management systems, aimed at producing a qualified force capable of conducting long-range maritime operations. Despite significant progress, there are still areas that require improvements, particularly the Naval Aviation University. The PLAN likely aims to further professionalize pilot education and shorten the…
Chinese cigarettes and Bolivian beer: the Amazonian town transformed by a rampant mining boom
The pork belly hits the oil with a sizzle, and a rich aroma of soy sauce and caramelising sugar fills the kitchen. Zhang Changchun, a middle-aged man from China’s Heilongjiang province, is cooking dinner for his friends on a warm evening in Mayaya, a small town in the Bolivian Amazon. “Bolivia is my happy place,” he says in Mandarin as he adds the dish to a table overflowing with pork trotters, duck wings and braised sábalo fish. In this small restaurant, a group of half a dozen Chinese men gathers…
The midterms and the world
A Democratic sweep of both houses of Congress would see big changes on energy and trade in particularFinancial Times
China’s soaring chemical exports threaten new trade war front
Output has almost doubled in some key ingredients in five years, putting pressure on foreign rivalsFinancial Times
UK making up China policy ‘as it goes along’, MPs warn
The UK is making up policy on China “as it goes along” and risks having its strategy dictated by Washington or Beijing, a parliamentary report has concluded. An investigation by the Commons business, innovation, science and trade select committee said Labour’s failure to formulate a coherent strategy since 2024 “combined the worst of both worlds” for the UK in relation to China. Liam Byrne, Labour MP and chair of the committee said the UK’s policy on China meant it was also endangering its business with the EU with the risk…