US embassy in China warns exit bans risk straining bilateral relations ... One of the reasons I simply do not travel to China anymore. It's a shame, but there it is... ft.com/content/ea5939… via @ft

Microsoft “Digital Escorts” Could Expose Defense Dept. Data to Chinese Hackers ... SERIOUSLY!!!??? propublica.org/article/micros…

Article by my Paul Tsai China Center colleague arguing China is taking advantage of the lack of current US policy clarity to surge ahead on AI development. prosyn.org/P4iEf1R

Looks like a couple of Bohai Ferries are doing an exercise off of Dongshan Island, at the southern end of the Taiwan Strait. They headed down from their usual Yellow Sea routes a few days ago.

"One senior western official...said China was expanding its presence in the institutions of the multilateral world order . . . and then using that influence to slowly turn them to their own world view.” ... Shoutout to Courtney J. Fung ft.com/content/e28902… via @ft

"The White House’s Office of Management and Budget has suggested the US cut all its support for the UN and other international organisations, while halving its contributions for other humanitarian assistance." ft.com/content/01222c… via @ft

Chinese companies are looking to invest in Norway's far north port of Kirkenes to secure a position along the western end of the Arctic sea route. But there are obvious security concerns, given China's "limitless" partnership with Russia. nrk.no/tromsogfinnmar…

“Chinese Carrier…Sea Legend will start a new Arctic route…delivering cargo from east to west in just 18 days” versus typical 30-50 days from China to northern Europe. Just one trip planned this summer. maritime-executive.com/article/chines…

In the tariff deal, Japan agreed to a special investment fund of $550 billion under the personal control of the President, with the U.S. government retaining 90 percent of the profits. … Wait, what??? maritime-executive.com/article/u-s-ja…

Global Times: “China's position on Arctic maritime rights and interests has been made clear that they must be handled in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),” … said without any sense of irony at all. maritime-executive.com/article/china-…

Chinese Carrier May Invest up to $2.5B in Russia's Port of Arkhangelsk … “Year-round NSR navigation between Russia and China is a top priority for Putin's administration” maritime-executive.com/article/chines…

"While China speaks the language of peace and development, its military build-up in the SCS, construction of artificial islands, and harassment of regional maritime activities suggest a dual strategy: charm on the surface, coercion when challenged." thediplomat.com/2025/07/charm-…

"Customs data showed a 10.9 per cent fall in exports to the US in June, even as China recorded a trade surplus that month of $114.8bn ... [as] nimble global supply chains have allowed Chinese businesses to reroute trade." ft.com/content/266ba6… via @ft

‘Ultra-Light’ Chinese Chip Turns Real Bees Into Flying Spy Robots ... Say what now? nextgendefense.com/bee-cyborg-chi… via @nextgen_defense

While the US fears an attack, "many Taiwanese are far more concerned that Beijing could subvert their country from within, by tapping into long-standing cultural and economic links, grooming collaborators, and sidelining the country’s elected government." ft.com/content/9c2115…

Wow, shockingly dangerous maneuvers. This is how people lose their lives at sea. I hope all survived the collision.

“China is investing in XLUUVs at a scale unrivalled among other navies.” navalnews.com/naval-news/202…

Excellent and informative thread. Worth a read, worth a heed.

Nordic defense integration is an under appreciated development. Europe is less and less a defense monolith. 3 or 4 areas with different security interests fear they may have to deal with threats their security alone—and they are preparing to do so. government.se/government-pol…