For @aspi-org.bsky.social, I write on how Beijing has escalated its rhetoric against Taiwan, with CCP mouthpiece comparing TW's ruling party to the Nazis, echoing Russia's pretext for its invasion of Ukraine. Their goal is to undermine TW's democratic institutions and deepen its political schisms

#Turkey busts foreign spy ring using fake cell towers ( #伪基站 #imsicatcher) to spoof SMS & exfil. data. Info was reportedly sent to servers in #China. Textbook tech-driven #transnationalrepression targeting #Uyghur diaspora. 🔗 www.middleeasteye.net/news/turkey-... #surveillance

In this episode of the ChinaPower Podcast, Mona Yacoubian and Tuvia Gering join to unpack the latest escalation between Israel and Iran and explore how China is navigating this evolving conflict. Listen here: www.csis.org/podcasts/chi...

Today's edition of Discourse Power has everything I translated and shared about the war, compiled and edited for your convenience. This VERY LONG issue took considerable time and effort, some of it while under fire. If you find it valuable and would like to support my work, please share it.

Why #Xi + #Putin - #Iran’s strongest strategic partners - are panicking right now 🤯🤬🤢 Analysis @telegraphnews.bsky.social Insights 🙏 @geringtuvia.bsky.social @nicolegrajewski.bsky.social www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2...

How apt that former Interior Minister Fazli, known for authorizing the slaughter of hundreds of Iranian civilian protesters in 2019, arrived in China on June 4th.

On June 4, Hong Lei, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs and Director-General of the Protocol Department, received credentials from Eli Belotserkovsky, Israel's new Ambassador, and Abdolreza Rahmani Fazli, Iran's new Ambassador. Both had recently arrived in China: B on May 30 and F on June 4.

#China in the #MiddleEast: relations with #Israel and the #Palestinians, salvation for #Iran's regime, support for the #Houthis. My interview with Israeli scholar @geringtuvia.bsky.social Choose the flag at the bottom right 🇬🇧🇮🇱🇨🇳 🇮🇹 and read in your language here: francescalancini.com/interviste/l...

📢 New paper out! Big thanks to @geringtuvia.bsky.social for his insightful research on how the PRC systematically exploits city-level diplomatic channels to expand influence, bypass national regulations, and advance its geopolitical and economic goals. medium.com/doublethinkl...

“Who does the Fed really represent? The interests of Jewish financial capital…We [Chinese] are not here to fight over scraps. We want the world” - A prominent Chinese economist delivered on Sunday a sweeping speech on the US–China trade war and great power rivalry. 1/4

Bloomberg: Chinese plastics plants that buy liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) are turning to the Middle East to replace tariff-hit imports from the US, disrupting global flows and reviving moribund freight rates. www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

"Over the past decade, several Middle Eastern countries, including Libya, Yemen, and Sudan, have failed to realize a peaceful political transition. The past four months have shown that Syria may not be an exception" - Niu Xinchun, China-Arab States Research Institute at Ningxia U and ex CICIR. 1/5

Walla! News: A Chinese national was caught at the West Bank border crossing with 1.5 million NIS ($408K) in cash in his luxury Mercedes. Unable to explain the money, he was questioned by police, while the cash and car were confiscated. news.walla.co.il/item/3735636...

Many thanks to The Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Fen Hampson and Val Percival for inviting me to share my perspectives and assessments regarding China last month in Ottawa. The audience had some really good questions on how to manage current geopolitical challenges.

I'm all for China turning the page and sending a skilled diplomat to focus on economic collab and innovation, but as long as it continues to legitimize Hamas, amplify anti-IL disinfo to attack the US, fund+supply Iran & proxies w/ dual-use tech-then, my friend, we have a problem

“China remains committed to developing our historical friendship with the Jewish people...the war is not the theme of Israel-CN bilateral relations" - Ambassador Xiao Junzheng in an interview with Calcalist, aiming to compartmentalize China-Israel ties. His key messages: 1/6

PRC MoFA: "China to host CN-Russia-Iran meeting on the Iran nuclear issue in Beijing on March 14. Vice FM Ma Zhaoxu will chair the meeting, w/ RU Dep FM Sergei Ryabkov and IR Dep FM Kazem Gharibabadi. The three sides will exchange views on the Iran nuclear issue and other matters of mutual concern"

Iran, Russia and China to hold joint naval exercises this week Russia: Naval units, including the Stregoshi class corvettes Roszky and Tsidenzhapov and the Russian Navy's Pechinga logistics ship, have entered Iranian territorial waters. 1/3

⚠️Deepfake character assassination: Canada warns of new tactic used by PRC state-linked Spamouflage, using doxing and sexually explicit deepfake videos to discredit politicians & critics. Every day, 100-200 deepfakes flood gov and media outlets' social media profiles on YouTube and TikTok. 1/3

National Post – China linked to 'malicious' WeChat campaign against Chrystia Freeland: monitoring task force

Renowned Israeli-Canadian architect Moshe Safdie has completed the second phase of his ambitious megaproject in Qinhuangdao, Hebei. This expansion builds upon the design principles of his iconic Habitat '67, originally conceived for the Canadian Pavilion at the World Expo of that year

When it comes to assessing the risks of DeepSeek, are we asking the wrong questions? Governments, journalists, and coders need to know that it’s a much more sophisticated propaganda tool than we all thought.

Howdy. Did you notice how muted official reaction was to the USAID story? Despite it so obviously benefitting Beijing? "Never interrupt your opponent while he is in the middle of making a mistake" A few didn't get that memo. Though, they could have been talking about themselves~

"We are opposed to any forced displacement of Gaza's population" - PRC Foreign Ministry spox on Trump’s plan to “take over” and “clean out” Gaza. Full translation: 1/6

AFP: China says it opposes 'forced transfer' of Palestinians after Trump plan China on Wednesday said it was opposed to the “forced transfer” of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip after US president Donald Trump said he planned to “take control” of the territory. www.theguardian.com/world/live/2...

I joined CNN Portugal to discuss Planet Nine's latest investigation into PortuBots, a network of fake accounts spreading disinfo on Bluesky. Coauthored w/ Noa Rozmann, we reveal how these ops mirror Russian & Chinese TTPs. Full report in the next post h/t @safety.bsky.app @eliothiggins.bsky.social

The Chinese Embassy in Israel posted yesterday the first direct reference to an Israeli hostage since the war began. During his visit to Israel 2 weeks ago, it was unveiled that Zhai Jun, CN's Special Envoy for the Middle East, had met with hostage families twice in Beijing and Israel. 1/4

A notorious Chinese diplomat famous for spreading disinformation on Twitter updated his X profile last month to "Inspector of X" and began pumping AI-generated cultish praise for Elon Musk. In this new investigation, I explain why

"If you search for Jewish topics on RedNote, some of the top posts encourage users to discuss their “most offensive topics” because “unlike the US, China has the advantage in free speech for the Jewish Question.” forward.com/culture/6910...

Some Chinese diplomats really have too much time on their hands

A notorious Chinese diplomat famous for spreading disinformation on Twitter updated his X profile last month to "Inspector of X" and began pumping AI-generated cultish praise for Elon Musk. In this new investigation, I explain why

@financialtimes.com: Two Iranian ships are transporting over 1,000 tons of sodium perchlorate from China, a key precursor for missile propellant, say "Western security officials." The shipment, reportedly for the IRGC, could fuel 260 missiles used by Iran, its proxies, or Russia in Ukraine. 1/3

For too long, China has acted like a free rider in the Red Sea, taking advantage of US protection while resourcing the Houthis and Iran, write @geringtuvia.bsky.social and Jason M. Brodsky. The incoming US administration could weaken this nexus by pressing this issue with Beijing, they argue.

As more reports uncover furtive deals between China and Iran, a new article I co-authored with Jason Brodsky of United Against Nuclear Iran analyzes Beijing's direct and indirect support for the Houthis and offers policy recommendations for the incoming Trump admin. @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social

In 2021, I wrote this for the China Project, referencing Chinese reactions to the AUKUS announcement

Africa's media landscape has become a contested space where great powers vie for influence and control. While Western media have historically dominated, Chinese and Russian outlets are gaining ground, capitalizing on anti-colonial sentiments. We speak with scholar Dani Madrid Morales to learn more.

As more reports uncover furtive deals between China and Iran, a new article I co-authored with Jason Brodsky of United Against Nuclear Iran analyzes Beijing's direct and indirect support for the Houthis and offers policy recommendations for the incoming Trump admin. @atlanticcouncil.bsky.social

Iraq-China trade reached $50 billion over 11 months, per Chinese Amb. to Iraq Cui Wei. "Amb. Wei attributed this milestone to Iraq’s improving stability, government support for foreign businesses, and a shared focus on development and infrastructure." h/t @chinagsproject.bsky.social

we should always remember that it's the PRC threatening Taiwan, not vice versa

"Although Trump himself has little personal interest in Taiwan, the strong 'pro-TW' faction within his admin may push him to take aggressive actions, increasing the likelihood of military friction in the TW Strait" - Sun Chenghao, head of the US-Europe program at CISS, Tsinghua University.

"[The US] maintains its influence in the region by continuing to support Israel, which sees Iran's nuclear program as a significant security threat. Against this backdrop, the chances of US-Iran reconciliation remain slim" - Niu Song and Li Zixin on the Iran nuclear deal. 1/

After pushing the "One China Principle" on Israelis, new CN Amb Xiao Junzheng continues in Times of Israel, redefining Tibet as the "real Xizang." Adopted by Beijing in late 2023, the term aims to assert territorial claims, suppress Tibetan identity, and deflect criticism of China's HR violations.

A new cartoon in China Daily, published under the direct supervision of the CCP Propaganda Department. Der Stürmer would have approved had it endured three more years to witness the founding of the State of Israel in the Jewish homeland. h/t Doron Ella

China "categorically denies" the Israeli @i24NEWS_EN report citing US intelligence sources on Chinese weapons and components being sold to the Houthis in exchange for safe passage in the Red Sea. 1/3

The latest edition of our Lingua Sinica newsletter is out. This week, we cover United Front tactics in Taiwan, Hong Kong's third wave of online media, pushing Party values in Chinese micro-dramas, building Pakistan's Great Firewall, and more. Read it here: linguasinica.substack.com/p/lingua-sin...

"I want to say to Chinese netizens that Israel is a friend of China" - FT Chinese interview with Israeli Ambassador to China, Irit Ben-Abba. Excerpt: 1/4

"Democracies like Taiwan and Israel must strengthen and coordinate their actions. Both nations play key roles in defending the democratic frontlines and countering terrorists" - Interview with Taiwan’s representative to Israel, Abby Lee, with my contribution.

Reuters: Iran is negotiating to recover 25 million barrels of oil, worth $1.75 billion, stranded in Chinese ports since 2018 due to U.S. sanctions under former President Trump, as it faces mounting challenges in selling oil amid looming stricter sanctions with Trump's return to power.

Shandong Port Group, which oversees key Chinese oil ports such as Qingdao, Rizhao, and Yantai, has banned US-sanctioned tankers, limiting imports of discounted oil from Iran, Russia, and Venezuela, potentially raising costs for independent refiners while tightening global tanker availability.