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The CAF Gazette - September 2026
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USCSSO @GWU
10 hours ago1 min read


September 28, 2026
Overview Military Classified F-35 Components Diverted to China By Contributor Brendan Waldron F-35s refueling midair after participating in a British Airshow in 2016 (USNI) The Issue: A shipment of classified F-35 components en route from Australia to the United States was diverted to Hong Kong at some point early in the summer, though it was only reported on publicly in the last week. The Pentagon confirmed it was aware of the incident and is working on retrieving the shipme
USCSSO @GWU
Sep 287 min read


September 21, 2026
Overview Economics China Injects $53 Billion Into State Banks and Insurers By Contributor Jamie Liu China’s finance ministry (Via. South China Morning Post ) Capital Injections: On September 6th, China’s finance ministry announced plans to inject nearly $360 billion RMB ( about $53 billion USD) of capital into eight state-owned institutions, including major banks and insurers . Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) and Agricultural Bank of China (ABC) will receive up
USCSSO @GWU
Sep 219 min read


September 14, 2026
Overview Hong Kong Hong Kong Tiananmen Vigil Organizers Convicted After Nearly 5 Years in Custody By Contributor Tsz Leung Yiu Lee Cheuck-Yan (Middle), Ho Chun-Yan (left), Chow Hang-Tung(Right) image via(BBC) The High Court: On 21 Aug 2026, Hong Kong’s High Court found Lee Cheuk-Yan and Chow Hang-Tung guilty of Incitement to Subversion under the Hong Kong National Security Law. The defendants were former leaders of Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movemen
USCSSO @GWU
Sep 1410 min read


July 27th, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss China's Export Ban on EU companies, XI Jinping's address at the World AI Conference, and Taiwan's Drone Infrastructure Development. Trade Dual-Use Duel: China Responds to EU sanctions with Export Ban on European Companies By Contributor Henry Pandamadi On the 24th of July, China’s Ministry of Commerce announced a decision to place 14 European entities on its export control list. These companies are responsible for the import and export of du
USCSSO @GWU
Aug 105 min read


July 17th, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss bond reinvestment in Hong Kong, and increased maritime tensions in the East China Sea. Trade The Name’s Bond: The Hong Kong FIC and Bond Connect Summit Marks Reinvestment in Hong Kong By Contributor Henry Pandamadi On the 7th of July, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKECL), Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA), the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) and Bond Connect Company Limited (BCCL) hosted the Hong Kong FIC and Bond Conne
USCSSO @GWU
Jul 274 min read


June 29th, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss new developments in rare earth metals, Chinese aircraft carriers, and fresh backlash at the New Ethnic Unity Law. Trade China Imposes Export Controls on United States Rare Earth Firms By Contributor Deep Basu China imposes restrictions Rare Earth Exports to US Firm in a another blow to US access to rare earth materials. Mountain Pass in southeastern California, the United States’ only mine for rare earth elements. (Via SciencenewsExplore) O
USCSSO @GWU
Jul 275 min read


June 17th, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss major Chinese Naval buildup, Xi's visit to North K0rea, and changes in China's outbound direct investment. Defense China Unveils New Warship Amid Surge in Naval Buildup By Contributor Mitran Kumar On May 31st, Chinese state media confirmed the commissioning of the Tongchuan, a new Type 052D guided-missile destroyer, the latest addition to an increasingly visible buildup of the Chinese Navy. Chinese Type 052D Destroyer in port. (via. MSN) Comm
USCSSO @GWU
Jun 295 min read


June 1st, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss new breakthroughs in Huawei's semiconductors, a Dutch warship in the South China Sea, and elections in the Tibet Government-In-Exile. Tech Huawei, We Have Lift-Off! : Huawei Announces New Semiconductor Innovation By Contributor Henry Pandamadi On May 25th, Chinese scientists, collaborating with Huawei Technologies, announced a breakthrough using a 2D semiconductor. Their discovery was published in Nature Electronics, an online forum for develo
USCSSO @GWU
Jun 175 min read


April 27th, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss fines against PwC in HongKong and China's SE Asian diplomatic tour. Diplomacy “Solidarity More Than Ever”: Foreign Minister Concludes SE Asian Tour By Newsletter Director Jason Holman From April 22nd to April 26th Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited and concluded diplomatic visits with officials in Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar. China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi (left) shaking hands with Myanmar’s newest President Min Aung Hlaing (right)
USCSSO @GWU
May 173 min read


April 20th, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss the development of Chinese AI Industries and a recent report by Human Rights Watch on religion in China. Science and Technology China Opens Zhengzhou AI Computing Node to Expand Domestic Capacity By Contributor Mitran Kumar April 14th China launches new AI computing hub in Zhengzhou. China’s largest scientific AI computing cluster officially entered operation at the national supercomputing network’s core node in Zhengzhou, Henan province, on Tu
USCSSO @GWU
May 173 min read


April 13th, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss a potential arms sale from China to Iran, and new US export restrictions on China. Diplomacy U.S. Intelligence Reports Claim Beijing Plans to Sell Arms to Iran By Newsletter Director Jason Holman US Intelligence Reports indicate plans from Beijing to sell air defense systems to Iran in coming weeks. Satellite Images by Chinese AI Firm MizarVision of US troop deployment in the Middle East. (via. ABC) Air Defense Systems: On April 10, CNN rele
USCSSO @GWU
May 173 min read


April 6th, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss Taiwanese Kuomintang party leaders visiting Nanjing, Chinese investments in Cook Islands, and the continued purge of top Chinese officials. Diplomacy Cross Straight Dialogues: Kuomintang Leaders to Visit Mainland By Contributor Praful Chennupati On April 7th Kuomintang Chair Woman Cheng Li-wun plans to visit mainland China. Kuomintang Chair Woman Cheng Li-wun speaking at a Foreign Correspondents Club in March. (via. The Standard) Visit to Nan
USCSSO @GWU
May 175 min read


March 30th, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss a break-in at the Chinese Embassy in Japan and ammendments to Hong Kong's National Security Law. Diplomacy Break-in at Chinese Embassy in Tokyo Sparks Further Tensions in Pacific By Contributor Mitran Kumar On March 24th, Tokyo Police arrested a member of the Japanese military after an alleged break in at the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo. The incident has since sparked tensions between China and Japan Photograph of security standing in front of t
USCSSO @GWU
May 174 min read


March 24th, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss China's zero-tariff policy, fuel export restrictions, and a delay of President Trump's meeting with Xi Jinping. Trade China to Eliminate Tariffs on African Imports Starting May 1st By Contributor Allie Maury China’s zero-tariff policy will allow African countries to more easily send goods to the Chinese market. Republic of the Congo President Denis Sassou Nguesso and Chinese President Xi Jinping (via Reuters) China’s New Policy: On May 1st, C
USCSSO @GWU
May 175 min read


March 16th, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss the opening of a rail link between Beijing and Pyongyang, and the resumption of Chinese military aircraft operating around Taiwan. Diplomacy Train to Pyongyang: K27 Train Service Reopens After 6 Years By Newsletter Director Jason Holman On March 12th a passenger train departed from Beijing to Pyongyang, the first trip since 2020. Passengers board the K27 train at the Beijing Railway Station on March 12, the train is bound for Pyongyang, Nort
USCSSO @GWU
May 173 min read


March 11th, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss an upcoming law regarding China's ethnic minorities, a status update on the economy, and Beijing's response to the war in Iran. Domestic Beijing Expands Assimilation of Ethnic Minorities By Newsletter Director Lindsey Spain A new law is set for approval at China’s annual parliamentary session later this week which would further hegemonize ethnic minorities under the dominant Han culture. Pictured Above: Uyghur woman in China’s Xinjiang Provi
USCSSO @GWU
May 175 min read


March 2nd, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss tensions over Japanese missiles, EV relationships between the EU & China, and the state visit of Germany's chancellor to Beijing. Defense China, Taiwan, and a More Aggressive Japan By Contributor Allie Maury Last week, Japan announced that missile deployments to a small island 70 miles from Taiwan will be complete by March 2031. This handout photo taken on June 24, 2025 and received from the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force on June 25, 2025 sho
USCSSO @GWU
May 175 min read


February 25th, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss tensions over the expiration of the New START treaty and the easing of tensions between the Philippines and China. Defense United States Alleges Secret Nuclear Weapon Test in China By Contributor Allie Maury The U.S. accuses China of conducting a secret nuclear weapon test following the expiration of the New START treaty in early February. Pictured Above: Chinese Missiles. Greg Baker/AFP/Getty Images, sourced from Politico Allegations: Earlier
USCSSO @GWU
May 173 min read


February 11th, 2026
Overview This week, we discuss the appointment of China's new ambassador to Libya and Xi Jinping's meetings with Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump Domestic China Appoints Libyan Ambassador Following Embassy Reopening By Newsletter Director Lindsey Spain China has appointed a new Libyan ambassador following the reopening of their Tripoli embassy after more than a decade. Pictured Above: China’s Ambassador to Libya Ma Xueliang meeting with Libyan charge d’affaires Khaled al-S
USCSSO @GWU
May 173 min read
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