Today’s Focus: US Military Deploys Missile System in Asia! Why is the Chinese Communist Party so afraid? Musk Plans to Build New Party, Trump Disapproves, Tesla Plummets Over 7%; Shenzhen Urban Management Violently Enforces Law, Street Vendors Protest in Collective Clash.
Last year, the US military deployed the “Typhon” mid-range missile system in the Asia-Pacific region. Recently, the US military completed its first combat deployment and conducted field exercises. This action by the US Army has sparked protests from the Chinese Communist Party. What exactly is going on? Let’s take a closer look through detailed reporting:
According to Business Insider, recently, US Army soldiers in the Philippines conducted live combat exercises using the new mid-range missile system, “Typhon.” During the exercises, stationed soldiers not only operated the weapons but also directly participated in optimizing the system. This included addressing issues with the launcher’s direction and adjusting the position of trailer connection points. Through these changes, missile loading, operation, and maintenance can be made more convenient.
It is worth noting that these improvements were not ordered by military companies or high-level officials but were voluntarily completed by participating soldiers on-site.
The “Typhon” system was deployed to northern Luzon Island in the Philippines in April 2024 for joint US-Philippine military exercises. This marked the first deployment of a mid-range missile system by the US military in Asia since the end of the Cold War and is considered to hold significant strategic importance.
It is reported that the “Typhon” system has a range of over two thousand kilometers, enough to cover regions such as China’s southeast coast, the South China Sea, and the Taiwan Strait.
Experts point out that this deployment is a clear signal from the US military to deter the Chinese Communist Party, strengthening US military power in the Indo-Pacific region.
Each launcher of the “Typhon” missile system is equipped with 4-unit MK41 Vertical Launch Systems, capable of launching surface-to-surface “Standard-6” missiles and “Tomahawk” cruise missiles.
This means that in the event of a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, both of these missiles can disrupt the Chinese Communist Party’s air defense system, creating a pathway for large US warships.
Therefore, the Chinese Communist Party is highly wary of the “Typhon” missile system, repeatedly demanding the Philippines remove it. In September last year, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Lin Jian stated that China had repeatedly expressed opposition to this deployment. He said, “This deployment is a step backward in history.”
In February this year, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun stated that China would by no means sit idly by on the matter of the Philippines introducing the “Typhon” missile system.
However, the Philippines is unfazed by China’s reaction. Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro stated in an interview with Fox News in June that the Philippines’ actions are solely for their national defense security and have nothing to do with China. He emphasized that “What we are doing on our own territory is for our national defense construction.” He stressed, “This is in accordance with international law, so there is nothing to make a fuss about.”
Alright, as for the US’s deterrence against China, let’s leave it here for now; next, let’s shift our focus to US news:
On July 7, in pre-market trading before the stock market opened, Tesla’s stock price plunged. At 4:27 a.m. Eastern Time, Tesla’s stock price dropped over 7%, causing market turbulence. It is reported that the cause of this stir is not a technical issue or a sales crisis but rather Elon Musk’s latest move.
Over the weekend, Musk announced his plans to establish a new political party, naming it the “American Party.”
Musk stated that this new party could concentrate its efforts to secure 2 to 3 Senate seats and 8 to 10 House seats. He claimed that these seats are “enough to decisively influence controversial legislative proposals to ensure they reflect the will of the people.”
Regarding Musk’s decision, CNBC quoted Wedbush Securities analyst Dan Ives in a report stating that at a crucial moment in Tesla’s development, Musk’s foray into politics diverges from investors’ expectations. Ives also mentioned that while Musk has staunch supporters, many Tesla shareholders are weary of his continuous “political involvement.”
Reuters cited Neil Wilson, an investor and strategist at Shine Securities Bank UK, stating that investors are concerned about two things: Trump’s anger further impacting subsidies and Musk’s lack of focus. The latter is the primary concern for investors.
Earlier this year, Musk had close collaboration with President Trump on the Efficiency Department. However, in May of this year, Musk left the government Efficiency Department. When he left the political arena, investors believed he would redirect his focus to Tesla, thus boosting Tesla’s stock price. But now, Musk’s desire to return to politics has left investors unsettled.
President Trump on Sunday called Musk’s establishment of a political party “ridiculous” and added that Musk has “completely derailed.”
In fact, this is not the first time Trump and Musk have clashed in the political arena. Previously, they had conflicts in multiple policy areas, including Trump’s comprehensive tax reduction law, known as the “Big and Beautiful Act.”
Regarding Trump’s aggressive promotion of this law, Musk expressed opposition. He argued that the “Big and Beautiful Act” would increase America’s debt burden.
Additionally, Musk questioned the increases in tax cuts and reductions in subsidies for new energy industries such as solar, wind, and electric cars.
According to Tesla’s financial reports, Tesla is facing increasingly fierce competition, with a 14% decrease in Tesla car deliveries in the second quarter, below expectations.
Public data shows that after Trump’s re-election last November, Tesla’s stock price hit a historical high in December. However, since then, Tesla’s stock price has been on a downward trend. As of now, Tesla’s stock price has dropped by 35%, making it the worst-performing stock among the “Big Seven” in the US this year.
On the night of July 5 in Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong, a large-scale rights protection event occurred on Bugi Street. Hundreds of street vendors, dissatisfied with the violent law enforcement by urban management, spontaneously took to the streets to protest, leading to a tense situation. The protest lasted from evening until early morning, attracting crowds of over a thousand onlookers and resulting in severe traffic congestion.
An internet user posted on the overseas social media platform X, stating that on July 5th to 6th, a massive protest erupted in Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong. Upset by the violent methods used by urban management to drive away vendors, over a hundred street vendors collectively occupied the road in protest. The scene drew thousands of spectators, and it wasn’t until the early morning of the next day that the crowd slowly dispersed.
According to several witnesses, the incident began when multiple female vendors were driven away by urban management while setting up their stalls. Witnesses stated that these female vendors were rudely pushed and even subjected to beating with batons by urban management. Subsequently, vendors who were attacked fell to the ground as a form of protest against the actions of the urban management. This act quickly fueled the anger of nearby vendors, leading to a collective protest lasting several hours.
With over a thousand onlookers present, traffic in the area was paralyzed. During this time, vendors and law enforcement officers engaged in verbal conflicts and even physical altercations. It wasn’t until around 2 a.m. that both sides failed to reach an agreement, leading them to seek solutions at nearby government offices. Only then did the onlookers gradually disperse.
In recent times, incidents involving urban management driving away street vendors have occurred frequently. Some commentators attribute the root cause of these events to the overall economic downturn, resulting in a significant rise in unemployment. Many unemployed individuals have resorted to setting up stalls in outdoor markets to make a living.
A local resident informed Epoch Times reporters that the rule in the area indicates that in order to set up a stall, protection fees must be paid; otherwise, vending is prohibited. Therefore, the vendors paid the protection fees to the Bugi Street urban management enforcement team, and now, the government is prohibiting their vending activities. As a result, the vendors demanded an explanation from the government.
Another resident at the scene told reporters that urban management refuses to let them set up stalls because there are instructions from above. However, those who set up stalls are also trying to make a living! The actions of urban management are truly excessive. He mentioned, “Now there are many urban management officers who intimidate others, using minor issues to their advantage.”
In recent years, due to the prolonged economic downturn, a large number of individuals have become unemployed. To make ends meet, they have no choice but to venture into street vending. However, this path is not easy, as aside from business struggles, vendors often face violent evictions by urban management while vending.
Previously, Shenzhen urban management has clashed with local vendors on multiple occasions. On the evening of May 9, in Yuemin Road, Henggang Street, Longgang District, Shenzhen, a vendor laid in front of his tricycle’s front wheel to prevent urban management from towing it away, sparking protests amongst the vendors.
On May 16th, a female stall owner in Shenzhen encountered several urban management officers who not only stood in front of her stall to disrupt business but also kicked her folding chair away for amusement, drawing a crowd of onlookers.
This marks the end of today’s focused news coverage.