Things You Need to Know about Current Global and National Threats to Your Personal Security

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China Cold War
A Review of Recent Chinese Communist War-making Efforts
Threats to Freedom of the Seas

CHINA REPORTS:  main page | In-Depth | Threats to Freedom of the Seas
Espionage | Criminal Sabotage | Chip War

China seeks to dominate their neighbors and control nearby seas, specifically the South China Sea (south of Taiwan, west of the Philippians)[map], the East China Sea (west of Japan)[map], and the Yellow Sea (between China and Korea)[map].

One-Third of all Global Maritime (Sea-based) Trade Travels through the South China Sea. In 2009, China claimed ownership to this vast area, well beyond its own borders, and placed itself in direct conflict with International Law and the rights of neighboring nations like Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, the Philippians, and Vietnam.

To assert China's claims, it has bullied and sought to dominate the area and neighbors through constant military threats using everything from fighter jets to Chinese Coast Guard military-type ships and patrol asserting undue authority, to military fleet maneuvers and training, to even using large-scale civilian 'militia' fishing fleets that do not fish.

Freedom of Navigation Operations (FONOPs)
2 min

Today, the concept of "freedom of the seas" can be found in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea under Article 87(1) which states: "the high seas are open to all states, whether coastal or land-locked". Article 87(1) (a) to (f) gives a non-exhaustive list of freedoms including navigation, overflight, the laying of submarine cables, building artificial islands, fishing and scientific research.

Additional Research: South China Sea (Islands), West Philippine Sea: includes parts of the South China Sea directly to the west of the Philippines in it's EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) which includes the Spratly Islands and Scarborough Shoal

How the Philippines and Vietnam stand up to China in the South China Sea
Dec 7, 2024 | 15 min | DW News (German Public TV)

Why China is Building Islands in the South China Sea
Feb 2017 | 7 min | Vox

How China’s Tactics are Sparking Tensions in the South China Sea
May 2023 | 8 min | Wall St Journal

United Nations Convention for The Law of The Sea (UNCLOS)
Aug 2020 | 14 min | TLDR News
Wikipedia Article

China's New Official Map Shows China is a Bully to All Their Neighbors
Oct 25, 2023 | 16 min | Johnny Harris

NEWada’s
Canada, U.S. join forces to monitor South China Sea
Jan 2025 | 4 min | CTV (Canada)

Canada’s Defence Minister Bill Blair
Chinese Fighter Jets fire Flares near Canadian Helicopter in "significantly unsafe" moves
Nov 3, 2023 | 3 min | Global News

Pentagon Footage Shows Chinese Jets Feet Away From U.S. Planes
Oct 18, 2023 | 2 min | Wall St Journal

Pentagon releases video of Chinese fighter jet within feet of US bomber
Oct 27, 2023 | 2 min | ABC News

Chinese fighter jet was "dangerous and reckless" towards Canadian surveillance plane on U.N. mission
Oct 16, 2023 | 2 min | Global News

What a Canadian Warship is doing in the Taiwan Strait
Sept 11, 2023 | 7 min | CBC (Canadian Public TV)

 China continues to threaten U.S. Military Aircraft flying through the Taiwan Straits in International Airspace
July 2023 | 3 min | Sky News Australia

China almost purposely collides with U.S. Warship in International Waters
June 2023 | 4 min | ABC News
Original Report from Canadian News

"China has a Blood-Lust Against the U.S."
China 'BUZZES' - Almost Collides with U.S. Military Aircraft in International Airspace
May 2023 | 6 min | NewsMax

CHINA ISSUES MAJOR THREAT
China Announces It Will Launch Inspection of Ships in Taiwan Strait
April 2023 | 4 min | DW News (German Public TV)

CNN Gets Rare Access Aboard U.S. Military Surveillance Flight Over South China Sea
Feb 2023 | 4 min | CNN

Threats to Taiwan

Taiwan - Prepping for War
Nov 12, 2023 | 24 min | Ch 4 UK

Chinese Fishing Boat Seized for Illegally Entering Taiwan's Waters
Nov 14, 2023 | 2 min | TaiwanPlus (Public TV)
List of 168 Taiwan Islands

Taiwan Boosts Presence on Disputed South China Sea Island
Nov 7, 2023 | 2 min | TaiwanPlus (Public TV)
Taiping Island | List of 168 Taiwan Islands

How China's Threat of Invasion Is Changing Taiwan
July 2023 | 7 min | Bloomberg

Inside a Taiwan Military Base Preparing for Chinese Invasion Threat
July 2023 | 3 min | NBC News

Taiwanese Official Declares Cyber War with China Already Underway
Feb 2023 | 4 min | Sky News Australia

Taiwan to hold Military Drills to prepare for potential Chinese Blockade
April 2023 | 6 min | Sky News Australia

China’s Cyber Assault on Taiwan
Oct 2022 | 6 min | 60 Minutes

Life in Taiwan with China Flexing its Military Might
Oct 2022 | 13 min | 60 Minutes

How China’s Military Drills Could Choke Off Taiwan’s Internet
Sept 2022 | 5 min | Wall St Journal

Analysis of Chinese Military Exercises in and around Taiwan Waters
Aug 2022 | 4 min | Sky News Australia

China Fires Missiles Towards Taiwan Strait in Drill after Pelosi Visit
Aug 2022 | 7 min | CNN

Threats to The Philippines

in the South China Sea

The West Philippine Sea includes parts of the South China Sea directly to the west of the Philippines in it's EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone) which includes the Spratly Islands and Scarborough ShoalIn 2012, China illegally snatched control of the Scarborough Shoals from the Philippines though the building of man-made islands atop coral reefs - also constructing runways and military installations on them. China maintains a heavy presence of Chinese civilian militia boats and Chinese Coast Guard ships in these areas which push out, dominate, and harass Philippine ships.

Sept 2023 | 2 min | Reuters

The Bashi Channel     Map
Major Choke Point closest to south-side of Taiwan.   East-West Transit into/from the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea.

The Batanes Islands

On the Bashi Channel - farthest northern islands in the Philippines - less than 100 miles (160km) from Taiwan. The U.S. is developing civilian and military ports here.

U.S. Military in Talks To Develop Port in the Batane Islands on the The Bashi Channel
Aug 2023 | 3 min | TaiwanPlus (Public TV)

 SEE ALSO: REUTERS - "U.S military in talks to develop port in Philippines facing Taiwan" - Aug 30, 2023

How the Philippines can Prevent an Invasion of Taiwan: The Bashi Channel
July 2023 | 8 min | Hindsight

NEW
5 more Chinese ‘spies’ nabbed,
caught monitoring Pilipino Navy & Coast Guard
Jan 30, 2025 | 3 min | INQ Today (Philippines)

Additional News of Note:

Watch a Risky China-Philippines Confrontation in the South China Sea
March 15, 2024 | 4 min | Wall St Journal

How Far is the Philippines willing to go to Defend its Claims in the South China Sea?
Dec 14, 2023 | 7 min | DW News (German Public TV)

Philippines sends Fishing Vessels to China-claimed Scarborough Shoal
Sept 2023 | 8 min | DW News (German Public TV)

Chinese Coast Guard in High-Seas chase with Philippine Vessels
Nov 11, 2023 | 2 min | Manila Bulletin

The Philippines: Threatened By China, The Country Is Moving Closer to the U.S.
Oct 23, 2023 | 7 min | Wall St. Journal

China Coast Guard Blasts Philippine Vessels With Water Cannon
Aug 7, 2023 | 4 min | TaiwanPlus (Taiwan Public TV)

Countering China: How the Philippines Became Key to U.S.'s Pacific Strategy
May 2023 | 7 min | Wall St Journal

U.S. Launches Biggest Military Build-up in the Philippines since End of the Cold War
Feb 2023 | 6 min | ABC News Australia

China's Maritime Militias in the South China Sea
July 2019 | 2 min | CSIS

Threats to Japan

in the East China Sea


NEW
Farewell to Pacifism:
Japan is Rearming
Jan 2025 | 52 min
DW Documentaries (German Public TV)

Tokyo Conducts 1st Evacuation Drill in years as North Korea ramps up Missile Launches
Nov 7, 2023 | 2 min | Global News

Chinese and Japanese Coast Guard Ships face off around Disputed Islands
Oct 2023 | 2 min | CNA (Singapore)

JAPAN NOT READY TO DEFEND ITSELF
What's behind Japan's Massive Military Build-up Plan?
Sept 2023 | 8 min | DW News (German Public TV)

China Hacking Japan’s Defense Network could be part of a Sweeping Espionage Campaign
Aug 2023 | 5 min | MSNBC

CHINA & JAPAN
China Enters Japanese Waters with Amphibious Assault Fleet
July 2023 | 3 min | Sub Brief

JAPAN PREPARING FOR WAR
Why is Japan Fortifying its Small Islands, and why is it such a big deal?
Feb 2023 | 30 min | ABC Australia 

JAPAN PREPARING FOR WAR
Japan Unveils Biggest Military Build-up since World War II, Doubling its Military Budget
Dec 2021 | 4 min | DW News (German Public TV)

2 China Coast Guard Ships intrude into Japan's Territorial Waters
Nov 2022 | 1 min | Nippon TV (Japan)

Threats to Australia

in the South West Pacific (Oceania)

Australian Navy Divers Injured by Chinese Warship's Sonar Pulses
Nov 18, 2023 | 3 min | ABC News Australia

Australia could be China’s ‘next target’ after Taiwan
Feb 2023 | 3 min | Sky News Australia

China deploys Hundreds of Spy Satellites over Australia
Aug 2023 | 3 min | ABC News Australia

Australia issues Warning ahead of arrival of Chinese Spy Ships
July 2023 | 3 min | Sky News Australia

The United States' Growing Military Footprint in Australia explained
May 2023 | 4 min | ABC News Australia

How Australia’s New Submarines Fuse Western Military Tech to Counter China
May 2023 | 4 min | Wall St Journal

China to send Police to the Solomon Islands
July 14, 2023 | 3 min | Sky News Australia
“We now have a country … just off the northeast coast of Australia that is sliding further and further into China’s orbit,” - Lincoln Parker

AUSTRAILIA PREPARING FOR WAR
China's Aggression Could Start New World War.
Is Australia Ready for War?
Feb 2023 | 54 min | Sky News Australia

CHINA PREPARING FOR WAR
TOO CLOSE TO HOME
China's new target in the battle to control the Pacific
July 2022 | 29 min | 60 Minutes Australia

Chinese Spy Ship detected off Western Coast of Australia, near Secretive Naval Facility
May 2022 | 2 min | ABC News Australia

see also:
China-Taiwan: In Depth | Spying, Infiltration, and Sabotage | The Global Chip War

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