DefenceTalkChina Tuesday said it will continue to “modernize” its nuclear arsenal and called on the United States and Russia to reduce their stockpiles a day after global powers pledged to prevent such weapons spreading. In a rare joint statement setting aside rising West-East tensions, the United States, China, Russia, Britain and France reaffirmed their goal […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-will-continue-to-modernize-nuclear-arsenal-foreign-ministry-77605/

DefenceTalkNicaragua inked a deal on Friday switching diplomatic allegiance from Taiwan to China in a political coup for Beijing as it seeks to isolate the democratic island it has vowed to one day seize. The announcement leaves Taiwan with just 14 diplomatic allies but comes as Taipei strengthens ties with multiple unofficial Western friends including […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nicaragua-switches-diplomatic-recognition-from-taiwan-to-china-77572/

DefenceTalkChina said Monday it will take “countermeasures” if the United States called for a diplomatic boycott of the Beijing Winter Olympics, hours after unconfirmed reports that the Biden administration could announce such a move this week. CNN and NBC cited unnamed sources Sunday as saying the diplomatic boycott — meaning no US government officials would […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-threatens-countermeasures-if-us-boycotts-olympics-77551/

DefenceTalkUS Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Saturday that recent extensive Chinese military operations near Taiwan resembled “rehearsals” and he reaffirmed Washington’s strong support for Taipei. President Joe Biden’s Pentagon chief said the United States remained committed to supporting “Taiwan’s ability to defend itself.” In a speech devoted largely to an array of challenges posed by […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-chief-says-china-ops-near-taiwan-resemble-rehearsals-77544/

DefenceTalkChinese warplanes made 159 incursions into Taiwan’s air defence zone in November according to AFP’s database, the second-highest month on record as Beijing continues to pile military pressure on the democratic island. Self-ruled Taiwan lives under the constant threat of invasion by China, which views the island as its own territory and has vowed to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chinas-taiwan-jet-incursions-at-second-highest-level-in-november-77527/

DefenceTalkUS President Joe Biden’s top Pacific envoy on Wednesday accused China of trying to “drive Australia to its knees” through a barrage of sanctions that amounted to “economic warfare”. In remarks to the Sydney-based Lowy Institute, veteran diplomat Kurt Campbell lampooned Beijing for strong-arm tactics. Painting China as increasingly bellicose and determined to impose its […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-accuses-china-of-economic-warfare-against-australia-77523/

DefenceTalkThe US military will reinforce deployments and bases directed at China and Russia, while maintaining forces in the Middle East adequate to deter Iran and jihadist groups, the Pentagon said Monday, referencing results of a review. The US Defense Department will be upgrading and expanding military facilities in Guam and Australia, underscoring its focus on […]https://www.defencetalk.com/pentagon-plans-stronger-us-posture-toward-china-russia-77519/

DefenceTalkChina’s test of a globe-circling hypersonic weapon in July included the unprecedented launch of a separate missile from the ultra-high-speed vehicle, according to the Financial Times and Wall Street Journal. The test showed China’s development of its strategic, nuclear-capable weapons as more advanced than any had thought, surprising Pentagon officials, the two newspapers said. Neither […]https://www.defencetalk.com/chinese-hypersonic-test-included-pathbreaking-2nd-missile-launch-reports-77491/

DefenceTalkChina has built what appear to be full-scale outlines of American warships including an aircraft carrier, satellite imagery showed, possible targets to practice striking some of the most potent US weapons deployed in the Pacific. The US Navy’s carrier battle groups — centered around massive aircraft carriers — are among the most powerful weapons in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/satellites-spot-us-warship-mock-ups-at-apparent-china-weapons-range-77481/

DefenceTalkThe United States would defend Taiwan if the island were attacked by China, President Joe Biden said Thursday, a declaration welcomed by the democratic island that risks fury from Beijing. Authoritarian China regards self-ruled Taiwan as its own territory and has vowed to one day seize the island, by force if needed. Beijing’s saber-rattling has […]