Skip to content

US-China Relations

People’s Daily: Aging Equipment and Supply Chain Weaknesses Challenge U.S. Military Readiness

The U.S. Air Force recently outlined progress under its “Polaris Readiness Plan,” which covers 76 B-52H and 45 B-1B strategic bombers. The initiative aims to improve maintenance efficiency by reorganizing logistics and supply-chain operations. However, salvaging parts from retired aircraft offers only temporary relief from shortages and may prove inadequate during prolonged, high-intensity conflict.

Years of global deployments have placed mounting pressure on aging equipment across the U.S. military. The Navy’s aircraft carrier fleet faces particularly acute challenges. Several Nimitz-class carriers have served for more than 40 years, contributing to recurring maintenance problems and growing repair backlogs. Meanwhile, the newer Ford-class carriers continue to face reliability issues with electromagnetic catapults and arresting gear. Extended maintenance periods have limited the number of carriers readily available for deployment to fewer than four. Meanwhile, prolonged operations accelerate equipment wear and further increase maintenance demands.

Other major weapons systems face similar difficulties. The Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile fleet has exceeded its originally intended service life, while its replacement program has progressed slowly. Aging Ohio-class strategic nuclear submarines and delays in building their Columbia-class successors add to the pressure. The Air Force’s airborne early-warning and aerial refueling fleets also contain aging aircraft with increasing structural maintenance requirements.

These challenges are compounded by weaknesses in the U.S. defense industrial base. Shrinking domestic manufacturing capacity, fragmented supply chains, limited production of critical components, and a reduced pool of major contractors constrain the industry’s ability to produce new weapons while maintaining existing systems.

The Polaris Readiness Plan cannot reverse the broader erosion of U.S. military readiness on its own.

Source: People’s Daily, October 28, 2026
http://military.people.com.cn/n1/2026/1028/c1011-40823166.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military US-China Relations

China Proposes Export Controls on AI, Biomedical and Solar Technologies

China’s Ministry of Commerce announced on Oct. 16 that it plans to revise its catalogue of technologies prohibited or restricted from export, adding certain artificial intelligence, biomedical and solar photovoltaic technologies. Working with the Ministry of Science and Technology, it is seeking public comment until Nov. 15 and is simultaneously introducing pre-export registration requirements for the technologies concerned.

The proposal covers 40 technologies across three fields. In AI, 23 technologies are listed, including large models, intelligent agents, computing power clusters and information processing. Technologies already in the public domain through open-source release or academic publication are excluded from regulation.

The biomedical category contains five technologies, covering cell and gene therapy, small nucleic acid drugs and pathogenic microorganisms. Licensing arrangements that do not transfer ownership will benefit from automatic licensing and other facilitation measures. The solar category includes 12 technologies related to polysilicon, silicon wafer and cell manufacturing, and the controls also extend to the key and core equipment that embodies them.

A ministry spokesperson said the AI technologies could be used to attack critical information infrastructure, defense industry facilities and core government systems, or to bypass national security defenses. The spokesperson warned that if acquired by non-state actors or malicious entities, they could endanger national security and shared human security.

On biomedicine, the spokesperson said the rules exclude or ease controls in cases important to international cooperation. Outbound licensing of technology platforms with independent intellectual property, and outsourced research, development and production services using such technologies, will not be regulated.

The spokesperson added that solar technology is increasingly applied in sensitive areas such as aerospace, defense, unmanned equipment and high-security infrastructure, raising national security risks and warranting timely, moderate oversight. The controlled scope is limited, and technologies falling below the control thresholds can still be exported freely.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), October 16, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202610160309.aspx

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

China Says U.S. Unilateral Deep-Sea Mining Push Threatens Global Ocean Governance

A Chinese international law scholar argues that since April 2025, the United States has moved to bypass the International Seabed Authority (ISA) through executive orders and revised approval rules, accelerating mining in areas beyond national jurisdiction. The shift, marked by preliminary NOAA recognition of a comprehensive application from The Metals Company, is said to undermine the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and deepen uncertainty in global deep-sea governance.

The author identifies three features of the new U.S. approach. First, Washington, which has not joined the Convention, relies on its 1980 Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act rather than multilateral mechanisms, which the author calls a departure from multilateralism. Second, the author says the United States frames deep-sea mining as part of strategic competition with China and is rallying allies into exclusive supply chains. South Korea’s Korea Zinc, for example, invested in TMC and has said it would bypass Chinese supply chains entirely. Third, NOAA’s new rules merge exploration and commercial recovery permits and shorten environmental review and public participation periods, which the author says puts commercial interests above ecological safety. A 2024 discovery that polymetallic nodules can produce oxygen in darkness underscores how little is known about deep-sea ecosystems.

The author attributes the shift to surging demand for critical minerals such as lithium, cobalt, nickel and rare earths, zero-sum thinking aimed at “de-Sinicizing” supply chains, stalled ISA negotiations over benefit-sharing, technology transfer and environmental protection, and a long-standing habit of selectively following international law.

The consequences, the author argues, include weakened legal authority of the Convention, fragmented governance from parallel regimes, and sharper resource competition.

The international response includes the ISA Council’s 30th session consensus requiring mining contractors to submit supplementary compliance materials, and a case opened in July 2026 before the Seabed Disputes Chamber of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, its first case and the first brought by a non-state entity. The author concludes that the international community should reaffirm the Convention and speed up deep-sea mining rules.

Source: Study Times, September 17, 2026
https://www.studytimes.cn/ddsj/202609/t20260917_91753.html

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Iranian TV Commentator: China Halted Covert Satellite Support to Tehran

Mehdi Kharratian, an Iranian state TV pundit reportedly close to Iran’s security establishment, said China had provided Tehran with covert assistance, including satellite imagery that helped Iran target U.S. naval forces. Kharratian said the support was halted after details of the assistance emerged in the media. He cited a Wall Street Journal report as the reason China stopped the support.

Kharratian said the satellite imagery had helped Iran target an American destroyer and suggested that Chinese entities had provided the imagery. The Wall Street Journal reported in September that U.S. officials had linked high-resolution satellite imagery obtained by Iran from Chinese entities to a deadly Iranian strike on a U.S. base in Jordan. The report also said U.S. officials were examining whether Chinese assistance was helping Tehran track and target American warships. Washington did not accuse the Chinese government itself of directly providing the imagery.

Kharratian also said China had become increasingly reluctant to engage openly with Tehran because of Iran’s confrontation with Washington. He said China had reportedly told Iranian officials, “Do not come to us until you resolve your problem with the United States,” while portraying Beijing as willing to continue working with Tehran behind the scenes but wary of the political risks of visible cooperation.

Source: Iran International TV, October 4, 2026
https://www.iranintl.com/en/202610046693

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend US-China Relations

Another Incident of Beijing-Organized Supporters Clashed with Protesters During Xi’s Visit to the U.S.

Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States drew demonstrations by at least 39 anti-CCP groups. Chinese authorities reportedly organized large numbers of supporters—one source estimated nearly 1,000—to welcome Xi. Supporters and protesters clashed outside Joint Base Andrews during Xi’s arrival (see Chinascope briefing).

Another altercation occurred around 3:30 p.m. on September 24 outside the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency headquarters on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., where Falun Gong practitioners were peacefully demonstrating. A woman identified as Li Huahong confronted practitioner Xin Qin, who was photographing the demonstration. Xin said Li repeatedly pressured him to move back before grabbing and pulling him down, after which several people accompanying Li allegedly struck, scratched, and bit him. Xin said he did not fight back and called police. A police officer reportedly witnessed the incident and intervened, handcuffing Li, who was later taken away by ambulance.

According to the report, Li had previously attacked Falun Gong practitioners in New York and had been arrested several times. She was convicted of assault in 2013.

Also, an earlier incident occurred on September 22 outside the Chinese Consulate in Toronto, Canada, where a Chinese-Canadian man allegedly damaged Falun Gong protesters’ display boards and banners, issued threats, and injured a practitioner who tried to protect a banner. Police reportedly arrived, documented the incident, and said the case could proceed to legal action.

Sources:
{1} NTDTV, September 25, 2026
https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2026/09/25/a104136302.html
{2} NTDTV, September 26, 2026
https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2026/09/26/a104136553.html

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics US-China Relations

Trump and Xi Discussed U.S.-China WWII Alliance, Prompting Concern in Japan

During a September 24 welcoming ceremony for Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. President Donald Trump recalled that China and the United States were allies during World War II, highlighting the American volunteer pilots known as the Flying Tigers. He expressed hope that the two countries could build on their wartime cooperation to create a better future. At a state dinner that evening, Xi echoed the historical theme, recalling how Chinese and American forces fought against Japanese militarism, established the Hump air route, and rescued American pilots during the war.

Trump’s remarks reportedly surprised some Japanese government officials and received extensive coverage in Japanese media. On September 26, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi held a roughly 20-minute telephone call with Trump, who briefed her on his meeting with Xi. Takaichi emphasized that Japan and the United States had become each other’s “most trusted allies.” The two leaders exchanged views on China-related economic and security issues and reaffirmed bilateral cooperation and their shared commitment to regional and global peace and stability.

Sources:
{1} Radio France International, September 25, 2026
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/国际/20260925-特朗普称中国为-盟国-震惊日本
{2} Kyodo News, September 26, 2026
https://china.kyodonews.net/articles/-/16131

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend US-China Relations

Beijing-Organized Xi Supporters Clashed with Protesters Outside Andrews Airport as Xi Arrives in Washington

On September 23, clashes reportedly broke out outside Joint Base Andrews near Washington, D.C., between groups organized to welcome Xi Jinping and democracy activists and other protesters. Protesters carried banners calling for Hong Kong’s “liberation” and Xi’s resignation, while a large group of Xi supporters arrived on buses. According to China Democracy Party member Yang Lei, the groups initially remained separate, but a confrontation began after some Xi supporters entered the protesters’ area, allegedly attempted to take their materials, and attacked them with flagpoles. Protesters called police, who arrived shortly afterward.

Yang said the Xi supporters shouted that “Falun Gong hit people,” although he said no Falun Gong practitioners were present and the protesters involved were members of the China Democracy Party. He characterized the accusation as an attempt to blame Falun Gong for the confrontation.

After the clash, protesters reportedly obtained identification badges from Xi supporters representing two organizations: the United Chinese Community Organizations of the United States (美国侨学界社团联席会) and the America-China Enterprise Chamber of Commerce (美中企业总商会).

Also on September 23, former China Democracy Party chairman Wang Xizhe filed a civil lawsuit against Xi Jinping in a California federal court, alleging responsibility for an alleged attack on democracy activists outside the Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles on January 4. The lawsuit claims consulate-hired security personnel used pepper spray against peaceful protesters, causing physical and psychological injuries, and seeks damages from Xi. The court accepted the case and issued a summons requiring a response within 21 days.

Sources:
{1} The Epoch Times Chinese, September 24, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/9/24/n14856206.htm
{2} The Epoch Times Chinese, September 24, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/9/24/n14856489.htm
{3} The Epoch Times Chinese, September 24, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/9/24/n14856800.htm

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Chinese Embassy Reportedly Mobilizing Xi Welcome in Washington; DOJ Reminds Public of Foreign-Agent Registration

Chinese-language social media posts and WeChat screenshots circulating among overseas Chinese communities reportedly show organized efforts to mobilize Chinese Americans to Washington, D.C., for activities welcoming Xi Jinping during his expected visit to the United States from September 23 to 25.

One organizer, identified as “Sister Xia” and registered on WeChat in Alhambra, California, said she had recruited many participants. She said the Chinese Embassy and business associations were providing funding. Other circulating recruitment messages reportedly offered free airfare or bus transportation, lodging, meals, and an $80 participation payment, with one message seeking participants under age 70 for a “flag-waving welcome” event.

These organized welcome groups can create the appearance of a “mass welcome.” They may also serve a “counteraction” function: when the Chinese leader’s motorcade passes by, participants may use large numbers of red flags, human walls, and loudspeakers to obscure protesters’ signs and chants, ensuring that the leader “does not see” opposing voices. Many netizens have questioned whether participants in such activities are effectively “paid actors,” and characterized the activities as part of Beijing’s overseas propaganda and United Front efforts.

Participants in such activities could potentially be subject to foreign-agent registration requirements if they act in the United States at the direction or control of a Chinese government entity or other foreign principal.

On September 16, 2026, the U.S. Department of Justice published a press release titled “Liability for Unregistered Foreign Agents” to remind the public that federal laws require individuals “to register as foreign agents when they act in the United States at the direction or control of a foreign government or foreign principal.” It explains, “If a person acts as an agent of any foreign power to carry out any public activity, including (but not limited to) public demonstrations designed to further the propaganda or other goals of the foreign power, he or she must register with or notify the appropriate federal authorities. Failure to do so may result in significant civil or criminal sanctions, up to and including a maximum of five years in prison.”

Sources:
{1} Epoch Times, September 8, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/9/8/n14844612.htm
{2} Epoch Times, September 18, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/9/18/n14851493.htm
{3} US DOJ website, September 16, 2026
https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/liability-unregistered-foreign-agents

Briefings | | |   @CS US-China Relations