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In Taiwan, large-scale military drills have grown more intense, with armored vehicles rolling through city streets. Narratives of war are amplified year after year. Today, cross-Strait relations have been pushed to a freezing point by the so-called "new two-state theory". How is separatist rhetoric being advanced by the ruling DPP? Would the US actually step in if conflict were to break out? As talk of war intensifies, more people in Taiwan are questioning who would truly bear the cost. Mist over the Taiwan Strait, Episode Two, steps beyond manufactured anxiety to rediscover a more realistic understanding of where the region truly stands. Watch now↓↓↓ #MediaUnlocked #Taiwan

@xueqinjiang Hi Professor Jiang, I'm a journalist with China Daily. I'd love to invite you for a short interview on how you see the trajectory of this war and the broader US-China strategic competition. Would you be open to a quick conversation? my email: mengzhe1@chinadaily.com.cn

My Impact Theory interview on why Trump can't end this war: youtu.be/uP9Fnq23lsA?si…

On March 19, Donald Trump met with Sanae Takaichi at the White House. During the meeting, an embarrassing situation occurred. A reporter asked why the US hadn't informed allies in advance about its military plans toward Iran. Trump drew a shocking comparison — linking US strikes on Iran to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. Takaichi looked extremely embarrassed, forcing a faint smile while widening her eyes. Not long ago, Trump publicly called on allies, including Japan, to send warships for escort missions in the Strait of Hormuz. If Tokyo moves toward deploying its Self-Defense Forces into active conflict zones abroad, this is not just a policy shift — it is a red line being crossed. For the international community and countries across Asia, this would be seen as a dangerous signal — a resurgence of Japanese militarism that the world cannot afford to ignore. #MediaUnlocked

US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Monday rejected a Financial Times report claiming that Trump threatened to delay his China visit if Beijing does not assist the Strait of Hormuz escort operations. "If the meeting for some reason is rescheduled, it will be rescheduled because of logistics, and the president wants to remain in DC to coordinate the war effort," he said. China's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian also emphasized that head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic guiding role in China-US relations, and the two sides remain in communication over a possible visit to China by US President Donald Trump.#MediaUnlocked

The China-US trade talks in Paris have wrapped up. Both sides discussed the idea of creating a new mechanism to promote bilateral trade and investment cooperation. And there are quite a few signals worth paying attention to. At the press conference, the Chinese side spoke first. · Chinese international trade representative Li Chenggang gave a relatively detailed briefing, outlining China's position and the key points of the discussions. · The US side answered only a few questions, some not even directly related to the trade negotiations. Overall, China described the talks as "in-depth, candid and constructive". The US side used similar language. But does positive rhetoric mean the tensions underneath have disappeared? During the talks, the Chinese side voiced opposition to two recent Section 301 investigations launched by the US, and expressed concern that they could undermine the hard-won stability of bilateral economic relations. In any case, one signal is clear: a stable China-US economic relationship benefits not only the two countries, but also the global economy. The key now is whether both sides can meet halfway and keep the relationship moving forward. #MediaUnlocked

"We urge the US side to immediately correct its wrongdoings," China said in a statement, voicing firm opposition to Washington's decision to launch a Section 301 investigation into 60 economies, including China. China has made it clear: the accusation is completely fabricated. · As a founding member of the International Labour Organization, China has ratified 28 international labor conventions and established a comprehensive legal system to prevent and combat forced labor. · The US itself has not ratified the Forced Labour Convention of 1930, while continuing to politicize the issue. · The World Trade Organization has already ruled that US Section 301 tariffs violate WTO rules. The tactic of applying extreme pressure before trade talks has been used many times — and has repeatedly proven ineffective. If the Paris talks are to work, the answer is simple: meet China halfway, respect each other, and solve problems through dialogue.#MediaUnlocked

On March 10, Donald Trump softened his tone, saying talks with Iran were possible. However, Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi has already ruled out talks, calling past negotiations with Washington a "bitter experience". The battlefield dynamics have flipped. Why? Iran may not win militarily — but it may win the math of war. The cost asymmetry is staggering. In the first 36 hours of the war: • The US and Israel reportedly fired 3,000+ precision munitions and interceptor missiles. • Estimated cost: $5–6 billion Meanwhile: • Iran launches Shahed-type drones. • Cost per drone: $20,000–$50,000 To shoot them down: • Patriot interceptors: $3–4 million each • THAAD interceptors: $12+ million each That means every interception becomes a losing economic trade. Then there's the Strait of Hormuz. As tensions rise, markets are reacting fast: • Oil prices briefly exceeded $100 per barrel. • Global energy markets are already rattled. And this matters politically in the US: A spike in gasoline prices often translates directly into falling support for the ruling party. From Trump's shifting rhetoric to Wright's deleted post, one thing is clear: a war increasingly seen as serving Israel's interests may be too costly for the United States to sustain.#MediaUnlocked

Iran has named Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei, as its new supreme leader. Just days earlier, Donald Trump warned that if Mojtaba became Iran's next leader, it would be "unacceptable". Yet the outcome he feared has already happened. History has shown that removing a leader rarely ends a conflict. - The US removed the Taliban government in 2001. Twenty years later, the Taliban returned to power. - Iraq and Libya offer similar lessons — regime change did not bring stability, but years of turmoil. If the conflict with Iran escalates further, Washington risks being pulled once again into the Middle East's endless wars. On March 8, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for an immediate ceasefire, stressing that Middle Eastern affairs should be decided by regional countries independently. Because history has already shown one thing: You can remove a leader overnight, but you cannot bomb your way to stability. #MediaUnlocked

At a press conference during this year's two sessions, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi answered 21 questions from journalists from China and around the world. NBC asked whether China would accept a so-called G2 format, proposed by some including Donald Trump. Wang Yi rejected it, saying China will never follow the old path of a strong country dominating others. What other questions did Wang Yi answer? Here are the key takeaways↓↓↓ - On Iran: China calls for ceasefire, de-escalation, and avoiding a wider war. - On Gaza: The situation tests international justice. The UN must play its role. - On China-US relations: Neither side can change the other, but we can adjust how we engage. - On China-Japan relations: China warned Japanese politicians not to repeat the mistakes of history. From this press conference, one thing is clear: in today's turbulent and uncertain world, China is expected to act as an anchor of stability and a stabilizing force. #MediaUnlocked

Li Cuili, a grocery store owner from a Henan village, knows the transformative power of books. Through her free reading corner, she has motivated local youth and women to read, proving that destiny isn’t fixed—it can be changed by reading. As a deputy to the National People’s Congress, her story embodies how China ensures that grassroots voices are heard at the highest level of decision-making.

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Every year during the two sessions, China's annual political gathering, deputies from across the country come together at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Today, we want to tell the story of one of them. Li Cuili is not a celebrity or a political elite. She runs a small grocery store in a rural village in Henan province. Yet in China, even a voice from a small countryside shop can travel all the way to the center of national decision-making. #MediaUnlocked

This year marks the beginning of the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-30). China's annual sessions of its top legislature and political advisory body, known as the two sessions, are just around the corner, and the draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan has already become a key focus. Based on this new blueprint for China's economic and social development, what could China look like five years from now? What new opportunities could it bring to the world? We asked #Seedance to make a prediction. #MediaUnlocked #AIGC

Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, died in a joint US–Israel strike. This operation was not just a military assault, but an algorithmic one. AI tools are now deeply embedded in the US' modern warfare. - The operation "Epic Fury" in Iran - The operation to abduct Venezuelan President Maduro Palantir Technologies and Anthropic (the developer of the AI model Claude) are companies often mentioned in discussions about AI in the military. · Palantir builds software used by the US Department of War to gather and organize large amounts of intelligence data into a single system. · Claude helps defense analysts sort through vast amounts of information and generate insights more quickly. · Strategies can be generated in seconds. · Then the killing happens. How far should AI go in war? Will humans lose control of life-and-death decisions in war? AI must not become another nuclear weapon. #MediaUnlocked

AI has become the revolutionary technology of our era. As it becomes deeply embedded in increasingly specific and complex social scenarios, the question of how to govern it is becoming more urgent. Why is the Trump administration loosening AI regulations? Is AI still just a tool, or has it become the engine of geopolitical rivalry and digital domination? We investigate how different nations approach AI governance, revealing the power struggles behind it and exploring what a safer future for humanity could look like. Key takeaways from this episode: ·AI companies are ramping up their lobbying efforts, urging the Trump administration to advance policies that favor their interests. ·Through greater scientific understanding and better interoperability in policy, standards, and data sharing, we can maximize the benefits of AI while minimizing its risks. ·China seeks to ensure that AI is used in a trustworthy way to benefit society and the economy, with governance structures that help organizations deploy AI in ways their customers and stakeholders can trust. Watch our latest independently produced four-part documentary series and join our discussion↓↓↓#MediaUnlocked

Beijing announced export controls targeting Japan. What is the purpose behind this move? China made it clear: to stop Japan's attempts to remilitarize itself and possess nuclear weapons. The sanction was mainly two parts: export control list and watch list. - 20 Japanese entities involved in enhancing Japan's military capabilities have been added to the export control list. - Another 20 Japanese entities, whose end users and end uses of dual-use items cannot be verified, have been placed on a watch list. In recent years, Japan has dramatically shifted its security policies, even seeking to revise the Three Non-Nuclear Principles. Arms export restrictions have been loosened, and military spending is rising sharply. This trend is concerning. China's response is legitimate, justified, and lawful. There is no room for Japan's remilitarization. #MediaUnlocked

Recently, “becoming Chinese” has been trending online. Some people are drinking hot water, practicing Baduanjin, or learning how to cook Chinese New Year's Eve dishes. But this guy took it to another level. He has lived in my hometown, Wenzhou, for 13 years. Not only has he embraced Chinese culture — he has learned the Wenzhou dialect, often called one of the most difficult dialects in China. Some even call it the “devil's language”. And now? He teaches it online. During Spring Festival, I went back home and had a long conversation with him. When someone from another country speaks your hometown dialect to you, it feels… different. Personal. Unexpected. Are there foreigners who have settled in your hometown and embraced local culture? Tell me in the comments. #MediaUnlocked

China and the US are locked in a "chip war". Over 80 years of explosive evolution, the tiny piece of silicon has become the backbone of our modern world and a symbol of national power. But when technology becomes power, control becomes politics. So what is this "chip war" really about? Is the China-US rivalry narrative misleading? What does it actually mean to win an AI competition？ For the first time, we were on the ground in both China and the US, tracking the latest AI trends, examining key documents, and going inside major AI conferences to see how power and policy actually play out. Key takeaways from this episode: · It's everyone's favorite topic to talk about the China-US rivalry, but currently the narrative is a little bit misleading. What we need is a healthy competition that drives innovation. · In response to American sanctions, China's technological progress has accelerated. In some cases, it has even caught up with American levels. · For many on the ground, the real issue isn't who wins, but how to ensure AI is used for good, how countries cooperate and how the benefits are shared by all. Watch our latest four-part documentary series and join our discussion↓↓↓#MediaUnlocked

Filipino fishermen are being pushed to the front line of the China-Philippines disputes in the South China Sea. And it all traces back to one name: the KBBM program, a state-backed maritime militia initiative. In June 2025, the Philippine government officially launched the so-called Kadiwa ng Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda (KBBM) program, with "Bagong Bayaning Mangingisda" meaning "the new heroic fishermen". Our investigation, based on open-source data and information from sources close to the program, finds that it represents the latest evolution of the Philippines' "gray-zone" tactics and its carefully constructed victim narrative in the South China Sea. Nearly all content originates from official government channels. The messaging is tightly coordinated and uniform. These videos follow the same script: economic support, grateful fishermen, and praise for the Philippine president's vision. 1. How the KBBM Operates • The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) buys fishermen's catches at above-market prices, effectively encouraging them to sail into disputed waters and provoke encounters with Chinese coast guard or naval vessels. • The PCG then records these confrontations, packaging images and footage for international political leverage. 2. The hierarchy of the KBBM • Philippine National Maritime Council — Decision-making — Established by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in March 2024 • "WPS" National Task Force — Overall coordination • PCG + BFAR — Execution on the ground • Philippine Information Agency (PIA) — Media coordination 3. Does It Work Analysis shows that international support for or references to the KBBM program on social media remain extremely limited, with virtually no public endorsements, likes, reposts, or positive commentary from foreign governments, officials, or institutions. #MediaUnlocked

AI is reshaping the way we work, think and live, and it's also rewriting great power rivalry. Today, the AI race has become one of the most intense fronts in the China-US competition. So what does this competition look like in practice? Beyond the rivalry lies a deeper question: Will humanity treat AI as a shared opportunity or a battleground to fight over? To understand how this high-stakes competition is playing out, we went on the ground in cities across China and the US, from Las Vegas to Shenzhen, where AI is already shaping everyday life. Key takeaways from this episode: · China's success shows that limited access to top-end chips doesn't halt innovation; instead, it sparks new paths of creativity. This mindset is gradually becoming the underlying pattern across China's tech industry. · The center of gravity of where cutting-edge research is happening isn't just in the United States. It's also here in China. · We should see AI not as a rivalry, but as healthy competition. China and the US alike are working to advance the industry. Watch our latest four-part documentary series and join our discussion↓↓↓ #MediaUnlocked #AI

Nowadays, AI is almost embedded in everything that happens in warfare or defense. What used to be imagined as the battlefield of the future has already arrived. As the world cheers the technological leap AI is bringing to warfare, new risks and dilemmas are quietly closing in. Indeed, AI is transforming the battlefield at unprecedented speed, determining life and death in an instant. But do the major players with the most advanced AI technologies now hold the power to decide the survival or destruction of other countries? Will AI be allowed to take human lives without human approval? Key takeaways from this episode: ·When AI enters war, the battlefield stops being a place. It becomes a system. Decisions are accelerated, targeting is automated, and human lives become variables in an algorithm. ·The military use of AI may well be the "Oppenheimer moment" of our time. History offers lessons that we cannot afford to ignore. ·Even with different political and cultural systems, countries can and must cooperate on AI. Because what people everywhere truly want is the same: a future for themselves and for their children. Watch our latest four-part documentary series and join our discussion↓↓↓ #MediaUnlocked #AI