US Criticizes Aggressive Chinese Military Air-Sea Maneuvers

The PLA, which is the military wing of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), in a statement on June 3 accused the U.S. and Canada of “deliberately creating incidents” and undermining “peace and stability” in the region, as well as “sending the wrong signal to ‘Taiwan independence’ forces.”

China Condemns Australia’s Boycott of Winter Olympics

“It is not surprising that Australian government officials would therefore not be going to China for those Games,” said Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. “Australian athletes will, though. Australia is a great sporting nation. I very much separate the issues of sport and these other political issues, and I would like to see those issues resolved, but they are not resolved, and Australia will not step back from the strong position we have standing up for Australia’s interests.”

Experts Say China’s Stance in Indo-Pacific Added Realism to 5-Nation Naval Drill

While it is routine for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force to conduct exercises, “it’s the broader context in which the exercise is happening that adds a certain urgency” as “China’s People’s Liberation Army is increasingly aggressive and spewing threats throughout the region,” said Grant Newsham, a retired U.S. Marine colonel  

Japan and Vietnam Sign Defence Transfer Deal in Response to China’s Influence

After passively dealing with China for decades, Japan has now taken a stance against the growing threat of the CCP against the island of Taiwan. In response to the CCP’s advances in the East and the South China Sea, Kishi opposed “any unilateral attempts to change the status quo by coercion or any activities that escalate tensions.”

Australian Chinese Academic On Trial for Espionage in China

Yang has been held in custody since January 2019 after flying into the southern Chinese city of Guangzhou for the Lunar New Year. He was placed under investigation for allegedly harming China’s national security, but was later charged with spying, although officials have given no specific details about his alleged crimes.