China has announced plans to conduct large-scale military exercises around Taiwan, including live-fire drills in five maritime and air zones near the island on Tuesday. Senior Colonel Shi Yi, spokesperson for the Chinese military, said the exercises, code-named “Justice Mission 2025,” will involve the army, navy, air force, and rocket force under the PLA Eastern Theater Command. The state news agency Xinhua confirmed that the drills will begin on December 29.

In response, Taiwan has deployed what it described as “appropriate forces” around the island. Presidential Office spokesperson Karen Kuo condemned China’s actions as “military intimidation.” The announcement follows Japan’s recent plan to deploy missiles near Taiwan, which prompted China to warn that any foreign interference in Taiwan would be thwarted. Beijing reiterated its determination to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The exercises mark another escalation in the region, reflecting ongoing military and political friction between China and neighboring countries over Taiwan’s security and foreign involvement.

China has appointed its first female captain for the domestically produced C919 passenger aircraft, according to the South China Morning Post. The historic appointment went to Yu Yue, a former Boeing 737 pilot with China Southern Airlines. Since joining the airline in 2015, Yu has maintained a zero-error record. Earlier this year, she joined the C919 program and completed extensive training at the Civil Aviation Flight University of China and COMAC’s Shanghai training center, which included simulator sessions for emergency scenarios.

The C919, developed by the state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC), is a narrow-body jet designed for short- and medium-haul routes and is seen as China’s alternative to the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. The aircraft began commercial service on domestic routes in May 2023. Major state-owned carriers—China Southern, Air China, and China Eastern—are incorporating the C919 into their fleets and retraining pilots accordingly.

Yu highlighted the challenges faced by women pilots in balancing professional duties with family responsibilities. In 2024, China had 941 female pilots, less than two percent of the total, though participation has been gradually increasing.

China’s Foreign Ministry announced sanctions on 20 US defense companies and 10 executives on Friday, following the Trump administration’s approval of a record arms sale to Taiwan. The sanctions include freezing assets held in China and banning Chinese entities and individuals from conducting business with the targeted firms and persons.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration approved eight new arms packages for Taiwan worth more than 11 billion dollars. Beijing condemned the move, calling Taiwan a core interest and the first red line in China-US relations that should not be crossed. The ministry stated that any provocative actions crossing this line would face a strong response from China.

Beijing urged Washington to adhere to the One-China policy and the three joint communiqués, halt arms sales to Taiwan, and avoid undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

China announced sanctions on 20 US defense companies and 10 executives following the Trump administration’s approval of a record arms sale to Taiwan. The Chinese Foreign Ministry made the announcement on Friday, citing the sale of eight new weapons packages worth over 11 billion dollars. The sanctions include freezing assets of the targeted firms and individuals in China and prohibiting domestic entities from conducting business with them.

Beijing condemned Washington’s decision, reiterating that the Taiwan issue lies at the core of China’s national interests and marks the first red line in China-US relations. The ministry emphasized that crossing this line would not be tolerated and warned of strong countermeasures against any provocative actions related to Taiwan.

China also urged the United States to adhere to the One-China policy and the three joint communiqués, halt arms sales to Taiwan, and avoid undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

China plans to build six new aircraft carriers by 2035, according to a report released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Defense (Pentagon). The report states that this would give China a total of nine carriers, marking the largest carrier expansion in the Indo-Pacific region since World War II. China currently operates three aircraft carriers, ranking second after the United States, which has 11.

The Pentagon report highlights the Type 003 Fujian carrier as a major advancement for China’s navy. The 80,000-ton vessel is equipped with an electromagnetic catapult system and can carry fifth-generation J-35 fighter jets and KJ-600 transport aircraft. Compared with earlier ski-jump carriers Liaoning and Shandong, the Fujian can support longer missions with heavier fuel and armament loads. The report also notes that China has begun work on a fourth carrier this year.

Additionally, China is developing Type 076 amphibious assault ships with electromagnetic catapults, though the number planned remains unclear. The report mentions that China deployed its carriers during the Joint Sword exercise around Taiwan, signaling its intent to challenge potential third-party intervention during conflicts.

A draft report from the U.S. Department of Defense alleges that China has deployed more than 100 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) across three newly built silo fields near its border with Mongolia. The report, cited by Reuters, suggests Beijing shows little interest in arms control talks despite Washington’s calls for renewed disarmament dialogue.

According to the Pentagon, China is modernizing and expanding its nuclear arsenal faster than any other nuclear power. Beijing has rejected the allegations, calling them an attempt to tarnish its image and mislead the international community. The report estimates China’s nuclear warhead count exceeded 600 in 2024 and could surpass 1,000 by 2030 if current trends continue.

The document also raises concerns about China’s military ambitions toward Taiwan, suggesting Beijing aims to achieve the capability to prevail in a potential conflict by 2027. China maintains that its nuclear policy remains defensive and adheres to a “no first use” principle.

China has reportedly discovered an enormous undersea gold deposit off the coast of Laizhou in Shandong province, which local media describe as Asia’s largest underwater gold mine. The find, located near Yantai, is estimated to contain over 3,900 tons of gold, accounting for roughly 26 percent of China’s total reserves. While the central government has yet to confirm the discovery, reports from the South China Morning Post suggest the actual volume may exceed initial estimates.

The discovery follows a series of major gold finds across China, including deposits in Liaoning and Xinjiang provinces. The China Gold Association notes that China remains the world’s top gold ore producer, with 377 tons mined last year. However, it still trails South Africa, Australia, and Russia in total reserves. Geological teams have increasingly used artificial intelligence, high-powered radar, and satellite imaging to locate new mineral resources.

Analysts believe this discovery could strengthen China’s position in global gold markets and reduce import dependency. The government’s ongoing investment in exploration—totaling about 4.5 trillion yuan since 2021—signals a strategic push to secure critical resources amid global economic uncertainty.

China has introduced a value-added tax (VAT) on condoms and other contraceptives for the first time in three decades, as part of a broader effort to modernize its tax system and address the country’s persistently low birth rate. The new VAT law, passed in 2024, ends a long-standing exemption dating back to 1993. At the same time, Beijing has launched a national childcare subsidy program worth 90 billion yuan ($12.7 billion) and expanded maternity coverage under the national health insurance scheme.

The policy shift comes as China’s birth rate stood at just 6.77 per 1,000 people in 2024, despite incentives such as cash bonuses, IVF discounts, and extended paid leave for new couples. Social media users have mocked the condom tax, calling it a desperate attempt to boost fertility. Experts argue the measure is largely symbolic and unlikely to influence reproductive decisions, though it signals the government’s preference for pro-natalist behavior.

Sociologists warn that restricting access to contraception could disproportionately affect women, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, while raising concerns about intrusive local monitoring of women’s reproductive cycles.

China is advancing plans to build the world’s largest hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet, a $168 billion undertaking that could generate around 300 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity annually—three times the output of the Three Gorges Dam. President Xi Jinping has called for the project to be pursued with force and efficiency, framing it as a cornerstone of China’s renewable energy ambitions.

Experts describe the project as an unprecedented engineering feat involving tunnels and reservoirs stretching up to 150 kilometers through the Himalayas. However, India and Bangladesh, both downstream nations, fear severe ecological and hydrological impacts, including altered river flows, flooding, and displacement. Indian analysts have dubbed it a potential “water bomb,” citing its proximity to disputed borders.

While Beijing insists the project follows decades of research, limited transparency has fueled speculation about its environmental and geopolitical risks. Analysts warn that the dam could reshape regional water politics, potentially intensifying Sino-Indian tensions and affecting millions dependent on the Brahmaputra basin.

China has announced a $100 million aid package to assist the Palestinian Authority in rebuilding Gaza and addressing the ongoing humanitarian crisis. The announcement was made by Chinese President Xi Jinping during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Beijing. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed gratitude to Xi in a letter, highlighting China’s continued support for Palestinian rights and its role in opposing Israeli occupation in Gaza and the West Bank. According to Chinese state media Xinhua, Xi emphasized China’s commitment to working closely with France to achieve a fair and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue. The move underscores Beijing’s growing diplomatic engagement in Middle Eastern affairs and its efforts to strengthen strategic ties with both Arab nations and European partners amid shifting global dynamics.

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale struck China's northwestern Xinjiang region on Thursday, according to the China Earthquake Networks Center (CENC). The quake occurred at 3:44 p.m. local time near Akqi County, close to the Kyrgyzstan-Xinjiang border, with its epicenter located about 10 kilometers underground. State media outlet Xinhua reported that as of 4:34 p.m. local time, there were no reports of casualties or building collapses. Local authorities confirmed that transportation, electricity, and telecommunications systems across Akqi County remained fully operational. The CENC recorded the epicenter at 41.13 degrees north latitude and 78.40 degrees east longitude. While the tremor was strong, initial assessments suggest minimal impact on infrastructure or residents in the affected area.

French President Emmanuel Macron met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Thursday, December 4, during his official visit to China. The meeting included a state reception for Macron and France’s First Lady, hosted by Xi. This marks Macron’s fourth visit to China during his presidency. In addition to meeting Xi, Macron is scheduled to hold talks with the Chinese Premier. Analysts suggest that trade relations between France and China will be a key topic of discussion. Macron is also expected to urge Beijing to use its influence on Moscow to help end the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. The visit underscores France’s efforts to balance economic cooperation with China while addressing global geopolitical challenges, particularly the conflict in Eastern Europe.

Chinese online retailers are facing a new wave of refund fraud as some customers use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create fake images showing damaged or defective products. According to the South China Morning Post, buyers first photograph genuine items and then edit them with AI to appear spoiled, broken, or rusted before requesting refunds. Sellers of fruits, electric toothbrushes, clothing, and ceramics have reported such incidents, with AI-detection tools confirming manipulated images in some cases. The scams have raised ethical and legal concerns, especially during the Double Eleven shopping festival. In response, major e-commerce platforms like Alibaba’s Taobao and Tmall have removed the 'refund only' option and introduced a buyer credit scoring system based on purchase and refund behavior. Additionally, China has mandated that all AI-generated content must include visible and invisible watermarks from September 1 to curb misinformation and fraud.

Eleven railway workers were killed and two others injured when a train struck a maintenance crew on the tracks near Kunming, the capital of China’s southwestern Yunnan province, on Thursday. The workers were reportedly testing seismic equipment used for earthquake monitoring when the train approached unexpectedly. Authorities said the train was traveling at normal speed as it entered Laowang Town Station. The Kunming Railway Bureau has launched an investigation to determine how the accident occurred. Officials described it as China’s deadliest rail accident in more than a decade. Train services at the station have since resumed. China’s vast rail network, one of the largest in the world, carries billions of passengers annually but has occasionally seen major accidents, including a 2011 collision in Zhejiang that killed 40 people and a 2021 incident in Gansu that left nine workers dead.

US President Donald Trump announced that Chinese President Xi Jinping has agreed to increase China’s imports of American goods following a recent phone call between the two leaders. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said he urged Xi to buy more US products, and Xi consented. The development follows Beijing’s earlier decision to resume soybean purchases from the United States and lift restrictions on rare earth exports. According to US Treasury Secretary Scott Besent, China has pledged to buy 12 million metric tons of soybeans from American farmers this year, with about 2 million tons already ordered. During the conversation, Xi emphasized the historical cooperation between China and the US against fascism and militarism and called for joint efforts to uphold the outcomes of World War II. He also reiterated China’s stance that Taiwan’s return is an integral part of the postwar international order and that Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory.