Ethan Zhao
Senior Reporter
The Latest
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U.S. Accuses China of Concealed 2020 Nuclear Test Using ‘Decoupling’ as Arms-Control Guardrails Expire
The United States has accused China of secretly conducting a nuclear explosive test at the Lop Nur site in June 2020, alleging Beijing used a technique known as "decoupling" to muffle seismic signals, a charge China has rejected as "completely groundless" amid mounting tensions over the collapse of global arms-control agreements. 
The United States has accused China of secretly conducting a nuclear explosive test at the Lop Nur site in June 2020, alleging Beijing used a technique known as "decoupling" to muffle seismic signals, a charge China has rejected as "completely groundless" amid mounting tensions over the collapse of global arms-control agreements. -
South Korea Spy Agency Signals Kim Jong Un's Daughter Entering ‘Successor-Designate’ Phase in North Korea
South Korea's National Intelligence Service has told lawmakers that Kim Jong Un is preparing his teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, for a potential succession role, marking what officials described as a transition into a "successor-designate" phase. The closed-door briefing in Seoul signals what could become the most consequential dynastic shift in North Korea since Kim Jong Un himself rose to power. 
South Korea's National Intelligence Service has told lawmakers that Kim Jong Un is preparing his teenage daughter, Kim Ju Ae, for a potential succession role, marking what officials described as a transition into a "successor-designate" phase. The closed-door briefing in Seoul signals what could become the most consequential dynastic shift in North Korea since Kim Jong Un himself rose to power. -
North Korea Accused of Executing Students for Watching South Korean Dramas, Amnesty Reports
North Korea has executed citizens, including students, for watching South Korean television dramas such as Squid Game, according to new testimony collected by Amnesty International, which says the regime continues to use extreme punishment to suppress foreign media and enforce ideological control. North Korea has executed citizens, including students, for watching South Korean television dramas such as Squid Game, according to new testimony collected by Amnesty International, which says the regime continues to use extreme punishment to suppress foreign media and enforce ideological control. -
Starmer, Xi Seek Deeper UK-China Partnership as Trump Tariffs Disrupt Global Order
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to pursue closer UK-China cooperation during an extended meeting in Beijing, as shifting U.S. trade and foreign policies under President Donald Trump push allies to reassess global partnerships. 
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to pursue closer UK-China cooperation during an extended meeting in Beijing, as shifting U.S. trade and foreign policies under President Donald Trump push allies to reassess global partnerships. -
China's Top General Zhang Youxia Accused of Selling Nuclear Secrets
China's leadership has been shaken by allegations against one of its most senior military figures, as internal briefings disclosed that Gen. Zhang Youxia, a former vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and a long-time ally of President Xi Jinping, is under investigation for corruption and for allegedly leaking sensitive information related to China's nuclear weapons program. 
China's leadership has been shaken by allegations against one of its most senior military figures, as internal briefings disclosed that Gen. Zhang Youxia, a former vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and a long-time ally of President Xi Jinping, is under investigation for corruption and for allegedly leaking sensitive information related to China's nuclear weapons program. -
TikTok Secured in U.S. After $5 Billion Deal as Oracle and U.S. Investors Take Control
The future of TikTok in the United States has been settled after a $5 billion agreement that restructures ownership and governance of the video-sharing app, clearing regulatory hurdles in Washington and easing national security concerns that had threatened to force its removal from U.S. app stores. The deal, confirmed Thursday, follows months of negotiations involving U.S. officials, investors and TikTok's Chinese parent. 
The future of TikTok in the United States has been settled after a $5 billion agreement that restructures ownership and governance of the video-sharing app, clearing regulatory hurdles in Washington and easing national security concerns that had threatened to force its removal from U.S. app stores. The deal, confirmed Thursday, follows months of negotiations involving U.S. officials, investors and TikTok's Chinese parent. -
China Meets 5% Growth Target on Export Surge but Property Crash and Weak Consumption Persist
China's economy expanded 5.0% in 2025, meeting Beijing's official growth target by leaning heavily on exports and capturing a record share of global goods demand, even as weak household spending and a deep property downturn continued to chill the domestic economy. The strategy helped cushion the impact of U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump, but economists warn it is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. 
China's economy expanded 5.0% in 2025, meeting Beijing's official growth target by leaning heavily on exports and capturing a record share of global goods demand, even as weak household spending and a deep property downturn continued to chill the domestic economy. The strategy helped cushion the impact of U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump, but economists warn it is becoming increasingly difficult to sustain. -
China Weighs Caps on Nvidia H200 Imports as Beijing Seeks to Steer AI Growth Toward Domestic Chips
China is preparing to impose new limits on the purchase of advanced artificial-intelligence chips from overseas suppliers, a move that could reshape demand for products from NVIDIA and redefine how Chinese technology firms access cutting-edge computing power. The discussions follow Washington's recent decision to allow sales of Nvidia's H200 AI processors to China, reopening a supply channel that Beijing now appears intent on tightly managing. 
China is preparing to impose new limits on the purchase of advanced artificial-intelligence chips from overseas suppliers, a move that could reshape demand for products from NVIDIA and redefine how Chinese technology firms access cutting-edge computing power. The discussions follow Washington's recent decision to allow sales of Nvidia's H200 AI processors to China, reopening a supply channel that Beijing now appears intent on tightly managing. -
China Cuts Rare Earth Exports to Japan After Taiwan Remarks, Escalating Supply-Chain Tensions
China has imposed sweeping export restrictions on rare earth elements and other sensitive technologies destined for Japan, escalating a diplomatic dispute over Taiwan into a supply-chain confrontation with potential global repercussions. The move, announced by China's Ministry of Commerce, takes effect immediately and targets goods that could be used for military purposes, sharply raising pressure on Tokyo amid already strained relations. 
China has imposed sweeping export restrictions on rare earth elements and other sensitive technologies destined for Japan, escalating a diplomatic dispute over Taiwan into a supply-chain confrontation with potential global repercussions. The move, announced by China's Ministry of Commerce, takes effect immediately and targets goods that could be used for military purposes, sharply raising pressure on Tokyo amid already strained relations. -
China Launches Live-Fire Drills Around Taiwan as $11.1 Billion U.S. Arms Deal Fuels Regional Tensions
China has launched large-scale live-fire military exercises encircling Taiwan, deploying warships, aircraft and missile forces in a show of force that Beijing says is aimed at deterring separatism and foreign interference. The drills, known as "Justice Mission 2025," come days after the United States approved an $11.1 billion arms package for Taipei and have intensified concerns among regional governments about the risk of escalation in the Taiwan Strait. 
China has launched large-scale live-fire military exercises encircling Taiwan, deploying warships, aircraft and missile forces in a show of force that Beijing says is aimed at deterring separatism and foreign interference. The drills, known as "Justice Mission 2025," come days after the United States approved an $11.1 billion arms package for Taipei and have intensified concerns among regional governments about the risk of escalation in the Taiwan Strait.
