US - China relations

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***Note: I can not vouch for the veracity of this but from everything I've read it probably is true. No matter, take it fwiw, dyodd & make of it what you will.

 
Better think internationally like Singapore and Psnama.
 

Report to Congress on South China Sea Disputes​

The following is the Aug. 25, 2026, Congressional Research Service report, China Primer: South China Sea Disputes.

From the Report​

Multiple Asian governments assert sovereignty over rocks, reefs, and other geographic features in the heavily trafficked South China Sea (SCS), with the People’s Republic of China (PRC or China) arguably making the most assertive claims. While United States makes no territorial claim in the SCS and takes no position on sovereignty over any of the geographic features in the SCS, U.S. officials have long urged that disputes be settled without coercion and on the basis of international law. Separate from the sovereignty disputes, the governments of the United States, China, and other countries disagree over what rights international law grants foreign militaries to fly, sail, and operate in a country’s territorial sea or exclusive economic zone (EEZ). For more than a decade, some Members have examined China’s efforts to use coercion and intimidation to increase its control over the SCS and have passed legislation aimed at improving the ability of the United States and its partners to protect their interests.

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Should get interesting now that Xi has stroked out in India. Not looking good for too much of a recovery for him.
 
  • Chinese President Xi Jinping heads to the U.S. for his first state visit since the Obama administration.
  • That May summit started “a U-turn in China-U.S. relations,” said Zhou Bo, a senior fellow at Tsinghua University’s Center for International Security and Strategy.
  • Any discussion over Taiwan is expected to take a back seat to Iran.
 
***Note: I can not vouch for the veracity of this. Up to you what to make of it, so take it fwiw and dyodd.


Xi delivers humiliating warning to Trump amid lavish White House welcome: report​

President Donald Trump pulled out all the stops for Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday — but Xi used the White House visit to deliver a warning about the rivalry between the two countries, according to a new report in The Daily Beast.

“The Thucydides trap can be overcome,” Xi said, urging the United States and China to “coexist in peace” and keep their competition “within bounds.” He was referring to the idea that tensions between a rising power and an established one can spiral into war, The Beast reported Thursday.

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https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/othe...e-welcome-report/ar-AA2cVsRY?ocid=socialshare
 
  • American businesses ramped up orders for Chinese goods in the weeks leading up to the summit between President Donald Trump and President Xi Jinping.
  • The upswing, on both a monthly and yearly basis, came as businesses positioned for a friendlier outcome at the summit.
  • Eurasia Group raised its odds of continued stability in the U.S.-China bilateral relationship to the highest level since Trump returned to office.
 

Chinese Cutters, Warships Block Philippine Resupply Mission to Second Thomas Shoal​

Chinese warships and cutters blocked a Philippine resupply mission to Second Thomas Shoal on Thursday in the most significant development at the disputed South China Sea feature.

The People’s Liberation Army Navy and China Coast Guard attempted to “hinder” the resupply mission, Manila’s National Task Force for the West Philippine Sea announced on Friday.

“In doing so, they put Filipino personnel at risk and obstructed a legitimate humanitarian and sustainment operation,” reads the task force’s statement.

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🚨 China has just taken 5 actions in 168 hours. All focused on Taiwan. None has a name.

And no one is connecting the dots.

Action 1: More than 100 Chinese warships and coast guard vessels are spread across the western Pacific.
Taiwan said on November 3 that they were already in position.
4 task groups from 3 military theater commands stretch across the area between Taiwan and Guam.
A wall separating Taiwan from its friends.

Action 2: 2 of China's 3 aircraft carriers are at sea at the same time.
The Liaoning carrier group is in the Philippine Sea.
The newest carrier, Fujian, left Hainan on November 2 and headed east.
The third carrier, Shandong, left dry dock on November 1 for sea trials.
The carriers have been deployed.

Action 3: On November 2 alone, Chinese military aircraft flew 49 sorties.
36 of those sorties were flown south of Taiwan.
The skies have joined the action at sea.

Action 4: A second, closer ring of encirclement.
At least 6 coast guard vessels, plus naval ships, surround Taiwan's main island.
As of 6 a.m. today: 10 Chinese navy vessels and 3 government vessels.
The ring is still there.

Action 5: No announcement. No name.
Beijing gave names to all 4 of its recent large-scale exercises encircling Taiwan.
ISW: This may indicate that China can cut Taiwan off from the outside world by air and sea whenever it wants.

Before all this:
Pakistan closed its airspace to all Taiwanese airlines.
4 Chinese research vessels are lingering or slowing down above the undersea cables connecting Taiwan to the world.

Connect the dots:

More than 100 ships = a wall before Guam
2 carriers deployed = the outer ring
49 sorties = a ring of encirclement in the sky
Ships around the island = the inner ring
No name = no warning next time

This is not chaos.
This is a blockade drill.

One ship after another.
One ring after another.
No invasion needed.

 
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