News and analysis on China: PLA activity, Taiwan, the South China Sea, US-China relations and Beijing’s global strategy.
Taiwan security update: 15 PLA aircraft fly near Taiwan with 13 median-line crossings as North Korea fires cruise missiles at sea.
US-China trade war: FMC proposes $200,000 Spanish ship fees; Commerce resets Italian pasta margins; EU summit opens on imbalances.
The Air Force’s FQ-42 and FQ-44 drone wingmen are on contract for production, but a stopgap budget keeps procurement money from flowing until Congress acts.
Taiwan logged 13 PLA sorties, 11 across the median line, in its third joint combat readiness patrol in nine days, as patrols turn smaller but more frequent.
A Conflict Armament Research report says Yemen’s Houthis imported Chinese-made motor and airframe parts to build Iran’s Kheibar Shekan missile.
Taiwan tracks a PLA combat readiness patrol, China’s Liaoning carrier heads into the Pacific, and Seoul and Washington delay defence talks.
Trade war update: China’s September surplus hits $133.53 billion, Beijing opens the Canton Fair and Taiwan is named as an Alaska gas buyer.
The Navy awarded $743.6 million in SLCM-N prototype OTAs on Sept. 23, 2026, splitting missile and canister work among five firms through Dec. 31, 2027.
North Korea claims a tactical missile test, Trump says he may meet Kim, and China sanctions ministers from Taiwan’s allies.
Trade war update: China calls the EU hybrid cap growth, Iran auto and rail sanctions are published, and Beijing eases aviation exports.
PLA sorties near Taiwan fall to four, Manila challenges a Chinese research ship at Hubo Reef, and Japan backs the ICC against US sanctions.
Trade war update: EU adds 1,600 Russia listings and presses the US on the Graham Bill as a metals-content rule nears publication.
Keen Sword drills start Oct. 19 near Taiwan, China keeps pressing Tokyo, and Japan’s defense request tops $55B. What each source says, and what is unknown.
Northrop Grumman and True Anomaly will build GHOST-R prototypes to inspect satellites 22,000 miles up. What is known, what is not, and how it feeds RG-XX.
Chinese militia boats swarm a Philippine island, PLA sorties near Taiwan ease, and Japan splits with Washington over ICC sanctions.
Bessent says the US-China truce runs to January 10, 2027, with no Federal Register notice yet; US goods deficits with Vietnam and Taiwan exceed China’s.
Boeing beat Northrop Grumman for the Navy’s F/A-XX carrier fighter, a $20B-plus development deal. What is known, what is classified and the risks ahead.
USNI counts at least six Philippine–China clashes in the South China Sea and Luzon Strait since October 1. A dated timeline of what each side says.
PLA sorties near Taiwan jump to 21 as Lai defends defense spending on National Day, China claims a Senkaku patrol, and US-Korea intelligence friction surfaces.
The EU and China trade a hybrid-car deal for rare-earth licences, Beijing warns on a US pact, and tanker freight hits $41 a barrel.
China’s coast guard delays a Philippine medevac at Second Thomas Shoal by 10 hours, Washington warns Beijing over Taiwan, and the Koreas clash at the UN.
Day-by-day Taiwan defense ministry counts of PLA aircraft and ships, a rare U.S.–PLA commanders’ meeting and Beijing’s protests: September in review.
Senators vote 17-0 to back the Status of Visiting Forces Agreement, making France the first European nation with such a defense pact with Manila.
South Korea tests its first hypersonic weapon, Manila approves a visiting forces pact with France, and EU lawmakers push back on China over Taiwan.
NMESIS: Marine Anti-Ship Missiles Head to Yonaguni
B-21 Raider: Production Ramps Up as Fleet Size Debate Grows
SM-6: Navy’s $24.4B Deal to Rebuild Fleet Magazines
F-15EX Eagle II: $2.38B Deal for 22 More Jets
The AI War Has Begun: America, China and Ukraine Build the Autonomous Battlefield
China’s Sea Drones: Giant UUVs, Minelayers, Seabed MappingWe use cookies to improve your experience on our site. By using our site, you consent to cookies.
Manage your cookie preferences below:
Essential cookies enable basic functions and are necessary for the proper function of the website.
These cookies are needed for adding comments on this website.
Statistics cookies collect information anonymously. This information helps us understand how visitors use our website.
Google Analytics is a powerful tool that tracks and analyzes website traffic for informed marketing decisions.
Service URL: policies.google.com (opens in a new window)
You can find more information in our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
Automatic translation by Google. The English original is authoritative.