Taiwan

Construction has begun on a large-scale military command center in the western part of Beijing, covering an area of more than 60 hectares. According to US intelligence, the complex will include fortified bunkers and will be the largest in the world.

An earthquake with a magnitude of 6. 4 occurred in the mountainous area near the city of Jiaji at a depth of 9.4 km. Several people were trapped in damaged buildings, and some villages lost power.

Nvidia invests for the first time in MetAI, a Taiwanese startup developing AI-based technology for rapidly creating digital twins. The company has invested $4 million along with other strategic investors.

The Mexican government has developed a plan to reduce the trade deficit with China, which reached $105 billion in 2023. The plan calls for increasing domestic production and attracting investment to reduce dependence on Chinese imports.

At the Guangzhou Shipyard, China is building new mobile docks modeled after D-Day. The barges will have retractable ramps for transporting heavy equipment and could be a key element in a potential invasion of Taiwan.

The Chinese currency fell to 7. 33 yuan per dollar, reaching its lowest level since September 2023. Experts attribute the drop to Trump's possible imposition of 60% tariffs on Chinese goods.

Panamanian authorities have declared their inviolable sovereignty over the inter-oceanic canal in response to Trump's threats. Experts and locals called the idea of American control over the canal “remote and absurd.

A Chinese vessel flying the flag of Cameroon is suspected of damaging an undersea communications cable off the coast of Taiwan. Taipei has asked South Korea for help in investigating the incident as the vessel is heading to the port of Busan.

Taiwan's National Security Bureau reports a sharp increase in cyberattacks in 2024, with an average of 2. 4 million attempts per day. Most of the attacks are carried out by Chinese groups amid Beijing's growing military activity in the region.

The Cameroon-flagged cargo ship Shunxing 39, owned by a Chinese company, damaged a communication cable near the port of Keelung. Taiwan asked South Korea for help in investigating the incident.

Chinese leader Xi Jinping emphasized the inevitability of China's reunification with Taiwan in his New Year's address. China continues to strengthen its military presence around the island through regular drills.

China has unveiled a new Type 076 Sichuan amphibious assault ship with an electromagnetic catapult for launching aircraft. The 40,000-ton ship can carry more than 1,000 marines and competes with the US military power.

For the first time, Taiwan conducted a large-scale exercise to simulate a response to military escalation with China. The simulation involved 19 ministries, local authorities, and non-governmental organizations under the leadership of the Vice President.

China has called on the United States to reconsider its nuclear policy in response to the Pentagon's report on 600 Chinese nuclear warheads. China has stated that its nuclear program does not pose a threat to other countries.

Donald Trump threatens to demand the return of control over the Panama Canal if Panama does not reduce transit fees. Panamanian President Mulino said that the sovereignty of the canal is not subject to discussion.

The United States has allocated $571 million in military aid to Taiwan, delegating the management of the funds to Anthony Blinken. China criticized this decision, calling it a violation of the “one-China principle” and promised to take action.

The U. S. State Department has approved the sale of $265 million worth of military equipment to Taiwan to modernize its command and control and communications systems. Earlier, the supply of F-16 spare parts and radars worth $385 million was approved.

The U. S. Senate has passed a large-scale defense bill that provides for a pay raise for junior military personnel. The document also includes restrictions on medical care for transgender children of military personnel.

China's top diplomat said on Tuesday that he hoped the new administration of US President-elect Donald Trump would “make the right choice” and work with Beijing, hours after Trump told reporters that the COVID-19 pandemic had complicated his relationship with his “friend” Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The US Navy has sent the USS Carl Vinson aircraft carrier with six F-35C Lightning II fighters to the Philippine Sea. The increased military presence comes after China's large-scale exercises near Taiwan involving 90 ships.

The first 38 U. S. M1A2 Abrams tanks have arrived in Taiwan to strengthen its defense against a possible Chinese attack. This is part of an order for 108 tanks, the rest will be delivered in 2025-2026.

On Friday, China lodged a claim against the Philippines, accusing it of provocations in the disputed waters of the South China Sea.

The U. S. House of Representatives has approved a $883.7 billion defense budget bill for 2025. The funds will be used to increase military salaries, purchase equipment, and create a special fund for Taiwan.

China has deployed the largest navy in the last three decades in regional waters off Taiwan. 47 military aircraft, 12 warships and Coast Guard activity were recorded.

China has deployed about 90 Navy and Coast Guard ships near Taiwan, two - thirds of which are military vessels. In response, Taiwan stepped up training and established emergency centers.

In the Netherlands, a 43-year-old engineer from Russia was banned from entering for 20 years for stealing ASML technological secrets. The suspect could sell stolen chip manufacturing data for tens of thousands of euros.

Taiwan has set up an emergency response center through seven new Chinese airspace zones around the island. China is planning military exercises in response to the visit of the Taiwanese president to the United States.

Taiwan's Defense Ministry has reported 16 Chinese warships near the island and expects new maneuvers. China reacted sharply to the visit of the Taiwanese president to the United States and American support for the island.

Donald Trump announced the appointment of ex-senator David Purdue as the new US ambassador to China. Purdue, who has a background in Asia and has supported challenging the 2020 election, will replace Nicholas Burns.

KNIISE established Russia's use of two types of North Korean missiles KN23 and KN24 against Ukraine. Experts were able to identify the differences between the missiles after obtaining more complete fragments.