In a Fortnight

China’s Expanding Naval Presence Troubles Neighbors

In an interview with Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun, Taiwan’s Vice-Minister for Defense Ko Chen-heng reportedly stated that Chinese warships have stepped up naval activities along the “first island chain” (diyidaolian) with five to six recorded incursions in the past two years (China Times, January 24;... MORE

China and Singapore Sign First Defense and Security Agreement

On January 7, the Singaporean Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) announced that Permanent Secretary of Defense Chiang Chie Foo and People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Deputy Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Ma Xiaotian signed the first bilateral agreement for defense exchanges and security cooperation between the countries.... MORE

Retired Cadre Criticize CCP for Stifling Debate and Ignoring the Poor

In an open letter to the Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) Politburo Standing Committee, 170 retired senior cadre denounced the current government's economic policies as unfair toward the working class and harmful to the environment, adding that they had departed drastically from the original socialist values... MORE