Welcome to the June 19th Wednesday episode of “News Decoded.” Today’s featured guests include military expert Wu Mingjie, Assistant Researcher at the Chinese Academy of Economic Studies Wang Guochen, and host Zhang Dongxu.
Today’s focus revolves around the uncertainty surrounding the Chinese Communist Party’s military intentions compared to the U.S. Is Xi Jinping using the U.S. to provoke the CCP to attack Taiwan? The fear of a potential revolution in Taiwan causing unrest in mainland China. Is China economically capable of initiating a war in the Taiwan Strait? What’s behind North Korea’s sudden military buildup with support from Putin?
On June 18th, Russian President Putin visited North Korea after a 24-year hiatus. Despite this, North Korean soldiers crossed the border twice, while the CCP clashed with the Philippines over the Ren’ai Reef in the South China Sea. Speculation arises as to whether these actions are intended to test U.S. responses. On the same day, a Chinese mainline nuclear submarine was spotted surfacing in the Taiwan Strait, coinciding with the U.S. decision to sell attack drones to Taiwan.
During the Trump era, senior officials frequently emphasized the need for the U.S. to focus on Asia, reminiscent of Reagan’s strategy towards the Soviet Union. A former White House advisor published an article on the 18th urging economic decoupling between the U.S. and China and the deployment of all U.S. Marines to Asia.
Reports from foreign media on the 16th revealed the Chinese leader previously accused the U.S. of inducing the CCP to attack Taiwan to save face. The ongoing tensions indicate underlying issues within China, such as economic instability and financial crises that may lead to a collapse.
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission recently highlighted the CCP’s comprehensive preparations for attacking Taiwan. There have been similar observations from various intelligence analyses in recent years. Furthermore, Putin’s visit to North Korea and the potential military alliance raise concerns about escalating tensions.
Additionally, South Korea’s Defense Minister disclosed plans to sign a trilateral security cooperation framework with the U.S. and Japan, emphasizing irreversible partnership. Military exercises such as “Operation Free Edge” may take place at the end of June.
Moreover, the G7 Summit’s mention of China in its declarations signified a significant escalation in rhetoric and actions against the CCP. Former officials under Trump’s administration proposed cutting all economic ties with China and implementing stricter limitations on technology exports. The shift in U.S. policy towards China under the Biden administration is seen as lacking a coherent strategy, prompting calls for change.
Regarding the deepening financial and debt crisis within the CCP, there have been reports of imminent collapse and a struggle to stabilize the economy. Recent attempts to bolster the housing market have yielded minimal results, and the involvement of state-owned enterprises may exacerbate the financial crisis.
In light of these developments, it’s crucial to monitor the evolving situation and the potential impacts on global geopolitical dynamics. Stay informed by subscribing to the “News Decoded” channel for comprehensive coverage and analysis.