China-US decoupling is accelerating in all aspects, with education and technology sectors both experiencing significant disruptions, as Trump unleashes a series of heavy-handed measures.
The first blow came with the revocation of visas for a large number of Chinese students, and Harvard University being banned from enrolling foreign students. Subsequently, the US blocked the export of AI chip design software, with even Germany’s Siemens confirming receiving regulatory notices.
On the other hand, China continues to use rare earths to squeeze the US, and is actively recruiting technology professionals convicted by the US worldwide.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration is intensifying its global deployments, notably seizing a Chinese fishing vessel and conducting a record-breaking joint military exercise with Australia in the South Pacific.
In a development shaking up China’s leadership, General Miao Hua has been officially accused of “serious violations” for the first time and is likely paving the way for sentencing. Defense Minister Dong Jun mysteriously missed a key meeting, raising suspicions.
In the past few days, while China and the US appear to be negotiating on the surface, behind closed doors, tensions are mounting, pushing the decoupling process into high gear.
Starting with the most sensitive area – higher education.
On May 28, the US began revoking visas for Chinese students, particularly targeting those with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in critical technology fields. Secretary of State Marco Rubio clearly stated an enhanced scrutiny of student visas from mainland China and Hong Kong.
This move was not sudden. Last week, the Trump administration prohibited Harvard University from admitting more foreign students, citing its leadership’s involvement in military activities with the CCP. Harvard allegedly hosted and trained members of CCP quasi-military organizations engaged in Uyghur genocide, and conducted military-use robot research with individuals linked to the PLA.
Harvard has nearly 1,300 Chinese students, even Xi Jinping sent his children to this Ivy League. It can be said that this action directly targets the “Achilles’ heel” of the top CCP officials.
But that was just the first strike.
The second blow was a precise hit on China’s technology industry. The Financial Times reported on May 28 that the US has prohibited its companies from exporting chip design software to China. Siemens confirmed that the US notified the industry last Friday to initiate this export control.
This design software is a key tool in manufacturing AI chips. Once the supply is cut off, China’s “domestic chip dream” is like losing its engine.
These two punches struck Beijing directly, catching them off guard. Despite having negotiated a temporary 90-day tax reduction agreement in Geneva, CCP media hailed it as a “major breakthrough.” However, as soon as production resumed, they were dealt a heavy blow.
Not only visas and chips, but another core issue cannot be ignored – rare earth resources. Rare earth elements are essential minerals for manufacturing defense, healthcare, and various technology products.
The Washington Post pointed out that China almost monopolizes global rare earth processing capacity and now uses export restrictions as leverage at the negotiation table, refusing to lift the limits.
Xu Tianchen, chief economist of an economic think tank in Beijing, emphasized that China still tightly controls the export of critical minerals, especially concerning the US.
Elizabeth Economy, China expert at the Hoover Institution, mentioned that China and the US are now on a trajectory of “strategic decoupling,” where distrust and communication breakdown leave little room for repair.
Xin Qiang, international relations professor at Fudan University, also commented on the overlapping trade war and visa storm, creating an “increasingly terrifying vicious cycle.”
At the same time, Beijing is trying to position itself as a “center of tech freedom,” actively recruiting technology professionals convicted in the US. Individuals like former Harvard professor Charles Lieber and former Microsoft AI expert Alex Lamb have been recruited by Chinese universities.
Currently, there are only a few weeks left in negotiations between the two countries. The Trump administration has made it clear: if China fails to show substantive actions, the US will not ease its trade pressure.
How do you view this decoupling storm? Is it possible for China and the US to “realign” in the future?
Moving to the maritime sector, Trump also took action – the third blow.
On May 28, the US Customs and Border Protection announced the official detention of a Chinese fishing vessel, the “Zhen Fa 7,” on suspicion of “forced labor.”
What did the “Zhen Fa 7” do? CBP investigation revealed six instances of forced labor onboard, including exploitation of crew vulnerability, monitoring and isolation, retention of documents, severe living conditions, violent threats, and debt control. In essence, they treated people as tools, compressed costs to a minimum, and then used this “blood and sweat seafood” to impact the international market.
Pete Flores, acting CBP commissioner, stated that this was part of President Trump’s latest directives to combat all unfair trade practices and ensure the fair competitiveness of the US seafood industry.
Zooming out globally, let’s look at the fourth blow – how the Trump administration is setting up worldwide.
This time, the focus is on the South Pacific.
CBS News reported that the US military has recently accelerated its troop deployments in northern Australia, marking the largest military movement since the end of World War II. The US, Australia, and Japan cooperated in holding impressive joint military exercises in remote areas of Australia’s interior.
The event involved over 500 US Marines, thousands of Australian and Japanese soldiers, and simulated real combat scenarios rather than mere drills. The Australian military even played the role of the “enemy,” attacking US squads, in a high-intensity training setting.
Nicholas Foust, US Marine Corps commander, stated: “Understanding each other’s combat methods is key among keys.”
Why engage in such a significant operation now?
It is widely believed that this deployment was a response to Xi Jinping’s order to “prepare to take Taiwan by 2027.” Seeing China rapidly building aircraft carriers, developing missiles, deploying troops, the US is undoubtedly making it clear that Beijing must not act recklessly.
Not only military actions but also diplomatic moves are simultaneously underway.
Commentators suggest that May has become a “North America first” harvest month. The Trump administration not only canceled Venezuela’s oil agreement from the Biden era but also classified Mexican drug cartels as “drug terrorism organizations” for the first time. Even countries like Argentina and Ecuador are turning away from China and rejecting the “hand of friendship” from the CCP.
For example, President of Argentina Javier Milei, who had initially intended to visit Beijing last year, eventually sent a low-level representative and refused to sign a joint declaration at the “China-LAC Forum,” opting instead to escalate economic, military, and energy cooperation with the US.
Ecuador also partnered with the US and Israel to form an energy alliance, while launching intelligence cooperation to combat drug networks.
It can be said that China’s longstanding “port strategy” in Latin America is facing setbacks.
Shifting to the latest movements of Elon Musk.
On May 28, Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, announced that he would be ending his tenure as a special government employee in the Trump administration, relinquishing his role as head of the “Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)” to refocus on his business operations.
Musk expressed gratitude to Trump for the opportunity to cut wasteful expenses. He emphasized that the mission of DOGE would not end and would grow stronger over time, eventually becoming a norm within the government system.
According to regulations, Musk could serve as a special government advisor for a maximum of 130 days. During this period, from the Oval Office to cabinet meetings and even Air Force One, Musk was seen working alongside Trump, sometimes with his son attending events, with a strong presence.
The White House spokesperson indicated that although Musk is stepping down, he will continue to serve as an external advisor to the president in the future, while Musk himself wants to dedicate more energy to the core operations of Tesla, SpaceX, and the X platform.
Although Musk’s governmental mission has temporarily concluded, his actions have truly stirred up a reform whirlwind in Washington. His partnership with Trump in politics and business has shown another possibility to the public – that entrepreneurs can contribute to governance and help enhance national efficiency.
Do you think Musk will return to the political arena in the future? Is he suitable to continue participating in government reforms? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments.
Turning now to the latest upheaval in the upper echelons of the CCP. This time, a close ally of Xi Jinping faces trouble.
Amid swirling rumors of Xi Jinping’s diminishing military authority, the official announcement suddenly came – General Miao Hua, a member of the Central Military Commission and head of the Political Work Department, is under investigation for “serious violations of discipline and law.” It’s worth noting that this wording is an elevation from last November’s “alleged serious violations,” indicating preparations for a sentencing.
Earlier on April 30, the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress announced that Miao Hua had been stripped of his status as a National People’s Congress delegate.
Miao Hua, a former fellow of Xi Jinping from Fujian and a member of the 31st Group Army, had been promoted steadily by Xi, shifting from the Army to the Navy, rising to become a general, and entering the Military Commission, where he oversaw personnel and ideological systems for the entire military. He is regarded as one of the core figures of the “Xi family army” recognized by the outside world.
This wave of crackdown isn’t confined to him alone.
Just after the “Two Sessions” in March, Vice Chairman of the Military Commission, also from the 31st Group Army, General He Wiedong, was rumored to have been arrested and remained missing since. Observers speculate that the purge may have already begun but is only now being publicized.
Former Chinese journalist Zhao Lanjian revealed that on April 17, the Central Military Commission issued a confidential internal briefing to all military officers above the rank of Major General, singling out Miao Hua and He Wiedong for forming cliques, circles, and trying to manipulate the military personnel arrangements for the “21st Congress,” even being labeled as engaging in “major acts of treachery.”
Many analysts pointed out that the consecutive fall of these individuals, who were handpicked by Xi Jinping himself, almost confirms that Xi’s grip on the military is loosening.
Rumors even suggest that the real power in the Military Commission has now fallen into the hands of Zhang Yuxia, who is leading the crackdown and gradually weakening the influence of the “Xi family army.” Although Xi Jinping remains in power outwardly, the overall situation has shifted, with characters like Wen Jiabao and Zhang Yuxia becoming vital factors in shaping the CCP’s political landscape.
How do you view the investigation into Miao Hua? Do you think Xi’s military authority is genuinely at risk? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments.
Discussing the massive military cleansing within the CCP, let’s now turn to an international conference that should have been a high-profile showdown.
Traditionally, the annual “Shangri-La Dialogue” in Singapore was attended by the Chinese Defense Minister himself but this year marked a change as Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe was conspicuously absent.
The Financial Times previously reported that Beijing only sent a delegation from the National Defense University to the Shangri-La dialogue this time, rather than having Wei Fenghe personally lead the team. This development was confirmed during the press conference by the Chinese Ministry of National Defense on May 29, where officials declined to offer any further details on the matter.
Coincidentally, Wei Fenghe’s absence has coincided with the turmoil surrounding figures like Miao Hua and He Wiedong in recent military developments. Wei Fenghe has reportedly been accused of involvement in the Miao Hua affair.
The Financial Times had previously reported that Wei Fenghe was under investigation. However, the Chinese military subsequently issued a “denial.” Wei Fenghe’s exceptional absence from the dialogue session is interpreted as a sign of trouble ahead for him. Some analysts suggest that Beijing’s high-level concerns about his potential defection during the meeting may have led to the decision to keep him away.
Furthermore, some speculate that Wei Fenghe’s absence could be tied to US-China relations.
Prior to departure, US Defense Secretary Mark Esper made it clear that his Asian visit was to send a clear signal to China: the US will uphold peace with strength. He emphasized that the future focus of the US military’s deployment is the Indo-Pacific region.
Reuters reported that Esper will deliver a speech at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue, an opportunity for him to present to Asia’s allies why the US is a better partner than China.
Adding to the intrigue, Wei Fenghe had recently visited Europe and attended a UN peacekeeping ministers meeting. It was evident that he was physically sound and had travel arrangements, raising questions as to why he chose to miss the dialogue. This prompts suspicions that his absence likely conceals political factors.
What are your thoughts on Wei Fenghe’s last-minute cancellation at the dialogue? Do you think it’s a coincidence? Or is he a sacrifice in CCP’s internal power struggles? Share your views in the comments.
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— ‘Tang Qing News’ Production Team