The U.S. Department of war is reportedly drafting a revised classified nuclear strategy led by defence planners to give the Commander-in-Chief new options in regional conflicts. The policy focuses on integrating lower-yield tactical nuclear weapons to defend allies from attacks by Russia or China. We break down what tactical nukes are, and what this strategy means for NATO allies.

Trump Goes Nuclear, Prepares for War with China, Russia | GRAVITAS 

#Gravitas U.S. Officials say Beijing is rapidly narrowing America's long-standing advantage in orbit by building one of the world's largest surveillance satellite networks. 

China Builds 500+ Spy Satellites as U.S. Space Lead Shrinks  | GRAVITAS 

China has reportedly cleaned up hundreds of "illegal foreign-related" weather stations that were allegedly spying on the country.

This is the latest broad counter-espionage campaign undertaken by Chinese leader Xi Jinping's government&nbsp;amid intensifying geopolitical tensions with the United States.

<h2>A national risk</h2>

China's top spy agency, the Ministry of State Security, on Tuesday (Oct 31) said it had discovered 'illegal meteorological stations' with foreign links, reported CNN.

It said that these weather stations were sending real-time updates outside China to foreign governments.

This, as per South China Morning Post (SCMP), was labelled an infringement upon its data rules and poses national security risks by China.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/trump-mocks-biden-for-gaffes-but-makes-the-same-senile-blunders-kettle-calling-pot-black-654717">Trump mocks Biden for gaffes, but makes the same 'senile' blunders. Kettle calling pot black?</a>

However, the nation failed to specify which foreign governments were allegedly at the receiving end of this data.

These facilities were found in 20 provinces across China. To detect them, China investigated over 3,000 overseas-related meteorological stations.&nbsp;

On WeChat, China's alternative to WhatsApp, the spy agency, said, "Meteorological data constitutes an essential component of data security and resource security; it is closely linked to national, food and ecological security, climate change, along with public interests."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/baltic-sea-situation-dire-due-to-human-activities-and-global-warming-report-654606">Baltic Sea in 'dire' state due to human activities and global warming: Report</a>

"The illegal collection and cross-border transmission of meteorological data pose a threat to our country's sovereignty, security and development interests," it added.

As per the state security ministry, some of these spy weather stations were located near China's military and defence units, while others were near its main grain producer and were monitoring, analysing the nation's crop growth and production.

<h2>Do unto others...</h2>

Just eight months back, the US Air Force announced that it had shot down a suspected spy balloon that was flying across North American airspace. 
 
At the time, China said it was a civilian vessel being used for meteorological research.

The US at the time said that the spying attempt violated its sovereignty, and China labelled the western nation's response an overreaction.

This episode sent relations between the two nations plummeting to a new low and eventually halted top-level engagements for months.

<h2>Paranoid or vigilant?</h2>

This comes as, amid geopolitical tensions with the US, China grows wary of potential data leaks.&nbsp;

Recent months have seen China take stringent steps towards "proactively" defending itself against spies. 2023 also saw China introduce a new anti-espionage law legal basis over a wider range of data and digital activities.

(With inputs from agencies)

China has reportedly cleaned up hundreds of "illegal foreign-related" weather stations that were allegedly spying on the country. This is the latest broad counter-espionage campaign undertaken by Chinese leader Xi Jinping's government amid intensifying geopolitical tensions with the United States.

China has reportedly cleaned up hundreds of "illegal foreign-related" weather stations that were allegedly spying on the country. This is the latest broad counter-espionage campaign undertaken by Chinese leader Xi Jinping's government amid intensifying geopolitical tensions with the United States. A national risk China's top spy agency, the Ministry of State Security, on Tuesday (Oct 31) said it had discovered 'illegal meteorological stations' with foreign links, reported CNN. It said that these weather stations were sending real-time updates outside China to foreign governments. This, as per South China Morning Post (SCMP), was labelled an infringement upon its data rules and poses national security risks by China. Also read | Trump mocks Biden for gaffes, but makes the same 'senile' blunders. Kettle calling pot black? However, the nation failed to specify which foreign governments were allegedly at the receiving end of this data. These facilities were found in 20 provinces across China. To detect them, China investigated over 3,000 overseas-related meteorological stations. On WeChat, China's alternative to WhatsApp, the spy agency, said, "Meteorological data constitutes an essential component of data security and resource security; it is closely linked to national, food and ecological security, climate change, along with public interests." Also read | Baltic Sea in 'dire' state due to human activities and global warming: Report "The illegal collection and cross-border transmission of meteorological data pose a threat to our country's sovereignty, security and development interests," it added. As per the state security ministry, some of these spy weather stations were located near China's military and defence units, while others were near its main grain producer and were monitoring, analysing the nation's crop growth and production. Do unto others... Just eight months back, the US Air Force announced that it had shot down a suspected spy balloon that was flying across North American airspace. At the time, China said it was a civilian vessel being used for meteorological research. The US at the time said that the spying attempt violated its sovereignty, and China labelled the western nation's response an overreaction. This episode sent relations between the two nations plummeting to a new low and eventually halted top-level engagements for months. Paranoid or vigilant? This comes as, amid geopolitical tensions with the US, China grows wary of potential data leaks. Recent months have seen China take stringent steps towards "proactively" defending itself against spies. 2023 also saw China introduce a new anti-espionage law legal basis over a wider range of data and digital activities. (With inputs from agencies)

China's top spy agency says foiled hundreds of weather stations relaying data to foreign governments

According to a report the Chinese government has warned the US that it may detain Americans in China in response to the justice department’s prosecution of Chinese military-affiliated scholars.

China responds to FBI's detention of Chinese scholars

China warns US of detaining Americans over prosecutions: Report

China outlined plans to build a modern, high-tech army in a national defence plan published Wednesday while accusing Washington of undermining global strategic stability and warning against Taiwanese independence.

The first white paper since 2012 gives a rare insight into the world's largest army and Beijing's military ambitions.

"International strategic competition is on the rise," the document says, adding that the United States has adjusted its national security and defence strategies and adopted "unilateral policies".

The US "has provoked and intensified competition among major countries, significantly increased its defence expenditure, pushed for additional capacity in nuclear, outer space, cyber and missile defence, and undermined global strategic stability".

The plan calls for more cutting-edge technology in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) arsenal, admitting it "still lags far behind the world's leading militaries".

War is evolving towards "intelligent warfare", the national security plan says, citing a growing use of AI, big data, cloud computing and "new and high-tech military technologies based on IT".&nbsp;

China's defence spending is second only to the United States, and it said earlier this year it planned to increase it by 7.5 per cent in 2019.

Despite the ambitious plans, it insists the Chinese army is a "staunch force for world peace".

But within its own borders, it is less sanguine, promising to "crackdown" on separatists in Xinjiang and Tibet.&nbsp;

Beijing is firmer still on the self-ruled island of Taiwan -- which China views as its own territory -- and makes "no promise to renounce the use of force" in bringing it back into the fold.

"China must be and will be reunited," the paper reads. "China has the firm resolve and the ability to safeguard national sovereignty... and will never allow the secession of any part of its territory by anyone."

It says Taiwan "separatists" are the biggest threat to the peaceful reunification of the country.

"The PLA will resolutely defeat anyone attempting to separate Taiwan from China," is says.

The PLA has been focused on catching up with technology used by armed forces in the US and western Europe and is reportedly building a third aircraft carrier as well as developing new generation destroyer vessels, fighter jets and ballistic missiles. 
&nbsp;

China outlined plans to build a modern, high-tech army in a national defence plan published Wednesday while accusing Washington of undermining global strategic stability and warning against Taiwanese independence.

China outlined plans to build a modern, high-tech army in a national defence plan published Wednesday while accusing Washington of undermining global strategic stability and warning against Taiwanese independence. The first white paper since 2012 gives a rare insight into the world's largest army and Beijing's military ambitions. "International strategic competition is on the rise," the document says, adding that the United States has adjusted its national security and defence strategies and adopted "unilateral policies". The US "has provoked and intensified competition among major countries, significantly increased its defence expenditure, pushed for additional capacity in nuclear, outer space, cyber and missile defence, and undermined global strategic stability". The plan calls for more cutting-edge technology in the People's Liberation Army (PLA) arsenal, admitting it "still lags far behind the world's leading militaries". War is evolving towards "intelligent warfare", the national security plan says, citing a growing use of AI, big data, cloud computing and "new and high-tech military technologies based on IT". China's defence spending is second only to the United States, and it said earlier this year it planned to increase it by 7.5 per cent in 2019. Despite the ambitious plans, it insists the Chinese army is a "staunch force for world peace". But within its own borders, it is less sanguine, promising to "crackdown" on separatists in Xinjiang and Tibet. Beijing is firmer still on the self-ruled island of Taiwan -- which China views as its own territory -- and makes "no promise to renounce the use of force" in bringing it back into the fold. "China must be and will be reunited," the paper reads. "China has the firm resolve and the ability to safeguard national sovereignty... and will never allow the secession of any part of its territory by anyone." It says Taiwan "separatists" are the biggest threat to the peaceful reunification of the country. "The PLA will resolutely defeat anyone attempting to separate Taiwan from China," is says. The PLA has been focused on catching up with technology used by armed forces in the US and western Europe and is reportedly building a third aircraft carrier as well as developing new generation destroyer vessels, fighter jets and ballistic missiles.

China eyes high-tech army, says US undermines global stability

Trade tensions and high-tech rivalry between the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/china-has-tools-to-handle-trade-war-with-us-central-bank-chief-yi-gang-225228">US and China</a> are having a "very negative influence" on the world economy, Australia's prime minister said Friday as he urged both powers to resolve their differences.

Scott Morrison, speaking at a business lunch during a visit to Singapore, urged countries to continue expanding partnerships with one another as Washington and Beijing struggle to resolve their disputes.

The world's two biggest economies have been engaged in a bruising trade war for months, and their dispute recently spilled over into the high-tech sphere after US President Donald Trump blacklisted Chinese technology giant Huawei on national security grounds.

"It's a very negative influence on global economic performance... This is frustrating because many of the fundamentals of the global economy have strengthened," said Morrison.

He said it was in the interest of the rest of the world that both countries resolve their disputes, but in the meantime, nations should take steps to keep the momentum for free trade.

Morrison cited the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a free-trade deal that 11 nations agreed on even after the US pulled out.

Morrison earlier met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and both expressed hope that another free-trade pact called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in which both are members would be concluded this year.

"We're reasonably confident that with sufficient political will and willingness to make difficult trade offs, it's possible to conclude the RCEP by the end of 2019," Lee said in a joint news conference after the meeting.

Morrison said the 16 nations negotiating RCEP can now focus on talks after the completion of elections in partner states, including Australia, Indonesia and Thailand.

"We think it's a very important agreement for our region," the Australian leader said.

China has backed RCEP -- of which the US is not a member -- amid its prolonged trade showdown with Trump.

RCEP negotiations gathered steam after Trump pulled out of the TPP, a trade pact advocated by his predecessor Barack Obama that did not include China and, unlike RCEP, established labour and environmental standards.

Trade tensions and high-tech rivalry between the US and China are having a "very negative influence" on the world economy, Australia's prime minister said Friday as he urged both powers to resolve their differences.

Trade tensions and high-tech rivalry between the US and China are having a "very negative influence" on the world economy, Australia's prime minister said Friday as he urged both powers to resolve their differences. Scott Morrison, speaking at a business lunch during a visit to Singapore, urged countries to continue expanding partnerships with one another as Washington and Beijing struggle to resolve their disputes. The world's two biggest economies have been engaged in a bruising trade war for months, and their dispute recently spilled over into the high-tech sphere after US President Donald Trump blacklisted Chinese technology giant Huawei on national security grounds. "It's a very negative influence on global economic performance... This is frustrating because many of the fundamentals of the global economy have strengthened," said Morrison. He said it was in the interest of the rest of the world that both countries resolve their disputes, but in the meantime, nations should take steps to keep the momentum for free trade. Morrison cited the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a free-trade deal that 11 nations agreed on even after the US pulled out. Morrison earlier met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and both expressed hope that another free-trade pact called the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) in which both are members would be concluded this year. "We're reasonably confident that with sufficient political will and willingness to make difficult trade offs, it's possible to conclude the RCEP by the end of 2019," Lee said in a joint news conference after the meeting. Morrison said the 16 nations negotiating RCEP can now focus on talks after the completion of elections in partner states, including Australia, Indonesia and Thailand. "We think it's a very important agreement for our region," the Australian leader said. China has backed RCEP -- of which the US is not a member -- amid its prolonged trade showdown with Trump. RCEP negotiations gathered steam after Trump pulled out of the TPP, a trade pact advocated by his predecessor Barack Obama that did not include China and, unlike RCEP, established labour and environmental standards.