The Chinese military faces turmoil as President Xi Jinping’s ongoing political purge has left key leadership positions vacant, raising concerns about command efficiency and operational readiness. Analysts warn that the leadership vacuum could weaken strategic decision-making amid regional security challenges. The developments highlight tensions within China’s armed forces and the broader implications of political consolidation on military effectiveness and national defense.


Chinese Military in Crisis, Xi's Purge Leaves it Leaderless 

Japan plans to deploy surface-to-air missiles on Yonaguni Island amid rising regional security concerns. The move aims to bolster Japan’s defense capabilities against potential air threats in the East China Sea, particularly given tensions with neighboring countries over territorial disputes. Authorities say the deployment strengthens early-warning and deterrence measures, enhancing the nation’s overall military preparedness in the region.


Japan to Deploy Surface-To-Air Missiles On Yonaguni Island 

Japan has confirmed that it will deploy its Type-03 Chu-SAM medium-range surface-to-air missile system on Yonaguni Island by March 2031, marking the first time Tokyo has attached a concrete deadline to the plan announced in 2022. Yonaguni, Japan’s westernmost inhabited island, lies just 110 kilometres from Taiwan and sits along critical sea and air routes that would be central in any Taiwan Strait contingency. The deployment follows remarks by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi in 2025, suggesting Japan could activate its Self-Defence Forces in the event of a Chinese attack on Taiwan. Beijing has strongly condemned the comments, calling them interference in China’s internal affairs and a violation of the One-China principle. The move reflects Japan’s evolving defence posture, transforming Yonaguni from a remote outpost into a hardened air defence node at the edge of the Taiwan Strait.


Japan to Deploy Chu-Sam Missiles Within Next Five Years

A shift in Lunar New Year travel timing has impacted tourist flows across Asia, with Japan witnessing a dip in visitor numbers while Thailand sees a surge in arrivals. Analysts say holiday scheduling and travel patterns redirected regional tourism demand, benefiting Thailand’s hospitality and retail sectors. The trend highlights how seasonal festivals and travel timing can significantly influence tourism economies and visitor distribution across major Asian destinations.

Lunar New Year Timing Dents Japan Visitor Count | Thailand Gains as Japan Loses Visitors

Once the largest source market for Japan’s tourism industry, Chinese visitor numbers have plunged dramatically, reshaping travel flows and revenue patterns across the region. The sharp decline is forcing Japan’s hospitality sector to diversify toward other markets while recalibrating its post-pandemic recovery strategy. Watch the full video to know more on this!


China-Japan tourism:  Chinese arrivals to Japan drop over 60% year-on-year 

AI safety firm Anthropic has publicly accused three Chinese AI labs—DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, and MiniMax—of orchestrating "industrial-scale" campaigns to illicitly copy the capabilities of its Claude AI model. The operation involved using approximately 24,000 fraudulent accounts to conduct over 16 million exchanges with Claude, violating Anthropic’s terms of service and bypassing regional access restrictions. 


Claude Misuse Allegations: Fake Accounts Used To Tap AI Capabilities

China blacklisted 20 Japanese entities and tightened scrutiny on a raft of other firms, signaling Beijing won’t drop its pressure campaign against Tokyo even after Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent landslide victory.


China Tightens Export Controls Citing National Security Concerns 

While China leads airport spending, retail slowdown is now hitting one of the most visible parts of the economy...Its shopping streets. New data shows rents along major commercial strips have fallen back to levels last seen in 2018, as cautious consumers rein in spending and landlords struggle to fill empty storefronts.

China's Commercial Streets Feel the Slowdown 

In China’s Anhui Mountains, drones and robots are being deployed to fight severe ice and snow, ensuring electricity keeps flowing to affected regions. High-tech machines inspect power lines, remove ice, and perform precision tasks in harsh winter conditions, showcasing the growing role of robotics in infrastructure maintenance.

China Deploys Drones and Robots to Protect Power Grid

The U.S. Supreme Court ruling complicates the U.S.-China trade negotiations, curtailing one of President Trump’s key negotiating tools just ahead of his anticipated meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. How will this legal shift affect trade strategy, tariffs, and international diplomacy? Experts weigh in on the implications for global markets and U.S. economic policy.

US-China Trade: Supreme Court Ruling Resets US-China Trade Dynamics | Trump Negotiation Challenge

British exporters are facing a potential hit of up to 4 billion dollars after US President Donald Trump raised baseline tariffs on foreign imports to 15 percent. According to the British chambers of commerce, around 40,000 UK businesses outside protected sectors could be affected.


UK-US Trade: UK Exports Face Up to $4 Billion Tariff Hit 

Moscow marked the Lunar New Year with vibrant celebrations featuring panda-themed events, cultural performances and festive displays highlighting Chinese traditions. The festivities reflected growing cultural ties between Russia and China, drawing crowds to public venues decorated for the occasion. The celebration showcased music, dance and symbolic elements associated with the Lunar New Year, as visitors welcomed the new year with themed activities and cross-cultural exchanges.


Chinese New Year: Moscow Celebrates Lunar New Year With Pandas 

Indian influencer Sachin Awasthi alleged he and his wife were detained for 38 hours in South Korea and China, denied entry, restricted from phones or food, and forced to buy costly return tickets.

‘Treated like criminals’: Indian influencer claims being detained for 38 hours in South Korea, China for ‘no reason’

The United States has revoked the visas of three Chilean officials in an unusual diplomatic move linked to Chile’s expanding trade relations with China.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio alleged that the officials risked compromising critical telecommunications infrastructure through a proposed undersea cable project connecting Chile to Hong Kong.

Chile’s government dismissed the allegations, with Foreign Minister Alberto van Klaveren saying the project is still in its early stages and that no final decision has been taken. The development comes weeks before President-elect José Antonio Kast is due to assume office.


US Cancels Visas of Chilean Officials Over China-Linked Undersea Cable Proposal

Fresh scrutiny has emerged over reports that British-made components may have surfaced in Russian weapons systems, raising questions about supply chains and sanctions enforcement. The developments have triggered debate over whether Western technology continues to reach Russia despite sweeping restrictions. The issue highlights broader concerns around export controls, dual-use goods, and the challenges of preventing sensitive technology from entering conflict zones.


Russia-Ukraine War: Is Britain Fueling Russia's War Machinery? | Gravitas

China has showcased the CJ-1000, a land-based scramjet-powered hypersonic missile, during a military parade in Beijing. A Chinese military magazine claims the system gives Beijing an edge over the United States in operational scramjet weapons. But Is China truly ahead in the hypersonic race? Watch the full breakdown.


China Unveils CJ-1000 Scramjet Missile, Hypersonic Race With US Intensifies | Gravitas

#Gravitas In a phone call earlier this month, Chinese President Xi Jinping reportedly urged U.S. President Donald Trump to tread carefully on weapons sales to Taiwan. Trump later confirmed he discussed the issue with Xi and said he would decide on the issue soon.  


US-China: Wary of Xi, Trump Holds Back Weapons Sale to Taiwan? 

Brazil’s government has approved definitive anti-dumping duties on a wide range of steel products imported from China after trade investigations found evidence that Chinese exports were being sold below fair value and harming domestic producers. The measures, approved by Brazil’s foreign trade authorities and set to last up to five years, target cold-rolled steel, coated steel sheets and other flat-steel products from China. The move is part of broader efforts to defend Brazil’s steel sector amid global overcapacity and rising import pressures.


Brazil Imposes Anti-Dumping Duties On Chinese Steel To Protect Domestic Industry | WION 

Children are emerging as a powerful economic force in China, with Gen Alpha reshaping consumption patterns across the world’s second-largest economy. According to recent estimates, Chinese parents spend nearly $800 billion annually on goods and services for their children, fueling rapid growth in retail, education, technology, entertainment, and lifestyle sectors.


Chinese Parents Spend Around $800 Bn on Children: Report

How Gen Alpha Is Fueling China's Consumption?

The United States has presented fresh seismic data alleging that China conducted a secret low-yield nuclear test near its Lop Nor site in 2020. Beijing has strongly denied the claims, insisting it remains committed to the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban framework. With arms control talks stalled and China rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal-- from submarines to warhead production -- fears of a new nuclear arms race are growing. Is this a strategic shift or political pressure ahead of new nuclear negotiations? We break down the allegations, China’s response, and what it means for global security.


US-China Tensions: US Alleges China Conducted Secret Low-Yield Nuclear Test in 2020 | Gravitas

China's mysterious 'Nantianmen project' is increasingly garnering attention as it competes with U.S. in space supremacy. While the project is aimed at blending cutting-edge defence technology with imaginative storytelling, speculation is rife that some of the weapons it has envisaged can become a reality in the near future.


Gravitas Special: China’s Mysterious Nantianmen Project Under Lens as Space Race With US Heats Up

China is dramatically ramping up production of advanced submarines, including nuclear-powered vessels, as it accelerates the modernization of the People's Liberation Army Navy. Reports indicate a sharp rise in submarine construction, expanded shipyard capacity, and intensified combat readiness drills, signaling Beijing’s determination to strengthen its underwater warfare capabilities.


China Rapidly Expands Nuclear Submarine Fleet, Boosts Naval Combat Readiness

#Gravitas The United States and China are rapidly advancing toward what could become the world’s first high-tech drone confrontation in the Indo-Pacific.

The U.S. has strategically deployed MQ-9 Reaper drones across key locations near China’s periphery, strengthening surveillance and strike capabilities. Meanwhile, images circulating online appear to show a stealth drone aboard China’s new amphibious assault ship — signaling Beijing’s growing unmanned warfare ambitions.

World's Next Drone War Over Indo-Pacific? US-China High-Tech Race

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