Kinaforum

tirsdag 23. desember 2025

Trump’s new battleship plan could transform the US Navy – or sink it

President Donald Trump’s announcement of a new class of battleships bearing his name puts a fresh spotlight on a US naval shipbuilding program that has fallen short on delivering the new warships on time and on budget in recent years, something Trump himself pointed out in his speech from Mar-a-Lago on Monday.

“We make the greatest equipment in the world, by far, nobody’s even close. But we don’t produce them fast enough,” Trump said, as he announced he would meet soon with top US military contractors to ramp up production for the new battleships and other weapons programs.

But at least in the battleship plan, the Navy would seem to be swimming upstream, with construction of the vessels themselves and some of the weapon systems the service says would be aboard.

Made in China, Made in India – and powered by sustainable coal

The global energy debate is entering a reckoning it can no longer postpone. Not because activists have relented or governments have found consensus, but because geopolitics, productivity energy and national security have forced reality back into the room.

For more than a decade, climate policy drifted away from the original intent of the Paris Agreement. What was designed as a framework grounded in flexibility, technological diversity and sovereign choice was gradually reshaped into something far narrower: a moral hierarchy of fuels and an industrial strategy by omission.

Coal, in particular, was treated not as a resource to be modernized, but as a problem to be exported. That “elsewhere” has been China and India.

Today, the world’s most competitive manufacturing economies are not apologizing for using coal. They are engineering more sustainable applications, investing in their modernization and embedding it at the heart of national economic strategies to drive productivity, resilience and resource self-sufficiency.

China Loads Over 100 Nuclear ICBMs Into Silos: Report

China has probably loaded more than 100 of its nuclear-armed solid-fueled DF-31 intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) into three silo fields near its border with Mongolia, a new draft Pentagon report says, according to Reuters.

The draft report, which could still change, also assesses that China does not want to have talks on arms control, Reuters reported, as is hoped for by President Donald Trump, who is pushing for denuclearization with Beijing as well as Russia and North Korea.

"As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible nuclear-weapon state, China has always adhered to the path of peaceful development, pursued a policy of no-first-use of nuclear weapons, maintained a defensive nuclear strategy, kept its nuclear forces at the minimum level required for national security, and abided by its commitment to a moratorium on nuclear testing," Liu Pengyu, spokesperson for the Chinese embassy in Washington, D.C., told Newsweek in a statement.

US States Face Resistance in Curbing China’s Reach

Mayor Matt Zacher wants the jobs that a Chinese paper giant is bringing to Wisconsin Rapids. Not the geopolitics.

Investment by ND Paper, the U.S. subsidiary of Chinese paper giant Nine Dragons Paper Holdings, has lifted the area's struggling paper industry amid a decades-old decline of the business that once made Wisconsin the leading paper producer in America and America the leading paper producer in the world. It has also put the town under a spotlight given China’s designation by the Department of Commerce as a foreign adversary.

Across America, states are enacting legislation aimed at curbing the expansion of Chinese investment and interests on the grounds that these give access to critical infrastructure and resources to America’s main global challenger as it grows increasingly powerful around the world, extending its reach deep into the United States through networks of groups with Chinese Communist Party links and through influence operations and business ties.

But the Chinese companies are pushing back—and they have allies on the ground.

China Spends $113 Billion on Hong Kong Rival Roughly the Size of Maryland

China has flipped the switch on its biggest free‑trade experiment yet, carving the island of Hainan into a $113 billion customs zone aimed at luring foreign investment and rivaling Hong Kong—just as Beijing faces slowing growth and rising U.S. pressure.

The $113 billion initiative–creating a customs regime distinct from mainland China–positions Hainan as a testing ground for deeper liberalization amid heightened U.S.-China tensions and slowing economic growth. The changes are seen as a litmus test for China’s ability to meet international trade standards, potentially affecting global supply chains and China’s bid for major free-trade agreements.

On December 18, China formally separated Hainan’s customs operations from those of the mainland, launching the Hainan Free Trade Port as its largest free-trade experiment to date, according to Reuters and others. The island, roughly the size of Maryland and home to nearly 10 million people, is now a distinct customs zone with tariff reductions, expanded duty-free categories, and business-friendly regulations.

How U.S. oil tanker seizures targeting Venezuela are linked to rising geopolitical tensions with China

The escalating U.S. campaign to seize tankers linked to Venezuelan oil could also escalate tensions between the U.S. government and China if more crude oil intended for the Chinese market is caught up in the U.S. military campaign.

On Saturday, the Panama-flagged tanker Centuries was seized carrying sanctioned Venezuelan oil, a move condemned by China. The seizure was the latest in the President Donald Trump’s vow to block tankers carrying Venezuelan oil. Maritime experts say the move may have relied on a legal authority that suggests more seizures will be coming, and potentially target more oil intended for the Chinese market.

According to Dimitris Ampatzidis, senior risk and compliance analyst at Kpler, the seizure of the Panama-flagged Centuries may have been conducted under the 2002 Salas-Becker agreement, which allows U.S. authorities to board Panamanian-flagged vessels with just two hours’ notice. “The most interesting part of the Centuries seizure is the suggestion of the U.S. likely relying on its prior boarding agreement with the Panama Maritime Authority,” said Ampatzidis, adding that the use of this agreement can lead to additional seizures.

FCC bans new Chinese-made drones, citing security risks

The Federal Communications Commission on Monday said it would ban new foreign-made drones, a move that will keep new Chinese-made drones such as those from DJI and Autel out of the U.S. market.

The announcement came a year after Congress passed a defense bill that raised national security concerns about Chinese-made drones, which have become a dominant player in the U.S., widely used in farming, mapping, law enforcement and filmmaking.

The bill called for stopping the two Chinese companies from selling new drones in the U.S. if a review found they posed a risk to American national security. The deadline for the review was Dec. 23.

The FCC said Monday the review found that all drones and critical components produced in foreign countries, not just by the two Chinese companies, posed “unacceptable risks to the national security of the United States and to the safety and security of U.S. persons.” But it said specific drones or components would be exempt if the Pentagon or Department of Homeland Security determined they did not pose such risks.

US drops plan to deport Chinese national who exposed Xinjiang abuses, rights activists say

The Department of Homeland Security has dropped its plan to deport a Chinese national who entered the country illegally, two rights activists said Monday, after his plight raised public concerns that the man, if deported, would be punished by Beijing for helping expose human rights abuses in China’s Xinjiang region.

Rayhan Asat, a human rights lawyer who assisted in the case, said Guan Heng’s lawyer received a letter from DHS stating its decision to withdraw its request to send Guan to Uganda. Asat said she now expects Guan’s asylum case to “proceed smoothly and favorably.” Zhou Fengsuo, executive director of the advocacy group Human Rights in China, also confirmed the administration’s decision not to deport Guan. “We’re really happy,” Zhou said.

The Department of Homeland Security didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s database lists Guan, 38, as a detainee.

North Korea’s record-breaking year for crypto theft

The cryptocurrency ecosystem faced another challenging year in 2025, with stolen funds continuing their upward trajectory. Chainalysis’ analysis reveals a shift in crypto theft patterns, characterized by four key developments: the persistence of North Korea, 0r the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), as a primary threat actor, the growing severity of individual attacks on centralized services, a surge in personal wallet compromises, and an unexpected divergence in decentralized finance (DeFi) hack trends.

These patterns emerge clearly from the data and reveal significant changes in how crypto theft is occurring across different platform types and victim categories. As digital asset adoption expands and valuations reach new heights, understanding these evolving security threats has become increasingly critical.

China Calls Out Trump Over US Oil Tanker Seizures

China blasted the administration of President Donald Trump on Monday over its seizure of another oil tanker as the United States continues its military blockade of the Bolivarian Republic.

The U.S. has been ramping up its military presence in the Caribbean in recent months, leading to the "blockade" of oil tankers that Trump declared late last week, in order to pressure the government of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro to return assets "stolen" when the South American country nationalized its oil industry in the 1970s.

Trump administration officials insist Venezuela is at the center of a "narco-terrorist" network, a claim Maduro denies. Adding to regional tensions are U.S. strikes on vessels that have killed close to 100 people. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and other officials have claimed, without providing evidence, that the victims were engaged in so-called "narco-terrorism."

World Map Shows Countries With China Loan Money

China, the world’s second-largest economy, is also now the largest creditor, a role that has enabled Beijing to match, and in many cases outcompete, its American rival in the race for diplomatic clout and strategic resources.

During its lending spree, which peaked in the 2010s, China racked up more than $1 trillion in obligations under its flagship infrastructure program the Belt and Road Initiative and made headlines over big-ticket projects in low-income countries.

Critics have described the loans, some of which led to financial distress due to high repayment demands, as “debt-trap diplomacy” and a means for Chinese state entities to gain influence over critical infrastructure. Chinese officials have rejected the debt-trap narrative, insisting that overseas lending is based on mutually beneficial, market-driven principles.

China Issues Nuclear Warning to Japan

China's Foreign Ministry has fired a warning shot after a senior Japanese official suggested Tokyo should reconsider its nearly eight-decade ban on nuclear weapons in light of the worsening regional security environment.

The remark comes amid tensions between Tokyo and Beijing over Takaichi's November 7 remarks that a military blockade around China-claimed Taiwan would constitute a "survival threatening situation" for Japan, a rare exception under that country's pacifist constitution that could allow for a military intervention alongside allied U.S. forces.

China has responded with a sustained public relations campaign portraying Japan as a revanchist power—citing the country's recent increases in defense spending and plans to deploy missiles on a remote island near Beijing-claimed Taiwan. Tokyo's Defense Ministry this year described China’s military buildup and expansive moves in the region as Japan's greatest security challenge.

US submarines are outnumbered in the Pacific. South Korea has a plan to help

South Korea wants to join the undersea naval elite – and has received the blessing of US President Donald Trump to do just that. Having Seoul become the seventh country in the world operating nuclear-powered submarines – joining the United States, Russia, China, France, the United Kingdom and India – could be a win-win.

South Korea could more effectively counter North Korean or Chinese moves in the waters around the Korean Peninsula; and that would free up the US Navy’s nuclear-powered attack subs to concentrate on patrols in hot spots like the South China Sea and the waters around Taiwan. On both sides of the Pacific, building the vessels could mean thousands of high-paying manufacturing jobs, helping the US and South Korean economies.

“For South Korea, this would be a game-changer countering North Korea’s undersea threat,” said Yu Jihoon, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses and former South Korean submarine officer.

Japan to restart the world’s biggest nuclear power plant, 15 years after Fukushima disaster

Japanese authorities have approved a decision to restart the world’s biggest nuclear power plant, which has sat dormant for more than a decade following the Fukushima nuclear disaster, in a pivotal moment as the country looks to looks to shift its energy supply away from fossil fuels.

Despite nerves from many local residents, the Niigata prefectural assembly, home to the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant, approved a bill on Monday that clears the way for utility company Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) to restart one of the plant’s seven reactors.

The company plans to bring the No. 6 reactor back online around January 20, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK reported.

China’s Dark Factories: AI and Robots Take Over Manufacturing

China is entering a new era of industrial automation with the rise of “dark factories”—fully robotic manufacturing plants that require no human workers or lighting. Driven by artificial intelligence ( AI), robotics, and advanced sensors, these facilities mark a major shift in China’s global manufacturing leadership.

Dark factories are automated production sites where machines handle all tasks, including assembly, inspection, and logistics. Without human presence, they eliminate the need for lighting, heating, or break times, cutting costs and boosting efficiency. While still rare globally, China is advancing rapidly in this area, signaling a future where automation dominates production.

According to the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), China installed 290,367 industrial robots in 2022—52% of the world’s total. This far surpasses the U.S. and Japan combined, underscoring China’s commitment to automation.

China’s new era of dark factories

Don’t get scared when you hear “dark factories”. In 2025, “dark factories” are less about fear and more about the future. And at the heart of this revolution stands a jaw-dropping marvel: Xiaomi’s fully autonomous factory, producing one smartphone every single second — yes, you read that right. In 2023, Xiaomi unveiled a sprawling 81,000 square metre autonomous production facility — about the size of 11 soccer fields — that operates 24/7, without a single human on the floor.

No lights. No breaks. No shifts. This “dark factory” uses the company’s in-house Hyper Intelligent Manufacturing Platform (HyperIMP), an AI-powered ecosystem where machines don’t just follow orders — they think, adapt, and optimise. Also Read - A New Climate Mandate Xiaomi CEO Lei Jun has been quoted as saying that the huge facility, located in the Changping district on the northeast outskirts of Beijing, follows a lab-level smart factory built in 2019 that produced around 1 million phones per year, which handled the entire production of the Xiaomi Mix Fold.

The new facility is described by Jun as a truly automated mass-production factory. It features 11 production lines, able to produce the company’s flagship MIX Fold 4 and the MIX Flip phones at a constant rate of one every few seconds. The term ‘dark factory’ originates from the fact that these facilities do not require traditional lighting since no humans are on the factory floor. Instead, advanced machines, AI systems, and robotics manage every aspect of production, including assembly, inspection, and logistics. This setup eliminates human error, reduces labour costs, and allows continuous operation without breaks or fatigue.

Dark Factories: The Future of Manufacturing Without Lights

In the shadowy corners of modern industry, a revolution is brewing—one where factories hum with activity around the clock, yet no human sets foot inside. Welcome to the era of dark factories, where robots, AI, and automation take centre stage, flipping the switch on traditional manufacturing. As we at RoboHorizon peer into the horizon of robotics and technology, this concept isn’t just a sci-fi dream; it’s a rapidly emerging reality, especially in powerhouse nations like China, and gaining traction in Europe and the Americas.

Imagine a production line that never sleeps, never errs, and never demands overtime pay. Dark factories, also known as “lights-out” facilities, operate entirely without human intervention, relying on sophisticated robotics and intelligent systems to handle everything from assembly to quality control. But what drives this shift, and what does it mean for the future?

For decades, manufacturing has relied on human labour, but rising costs, workforce shortages, and the relentless push for efficiency are transforming the industrial landscape. In China, companies like ZEEKR are leading the charge. Founded in 2021, ZEEKR’s flagship factory in northeastern China produces up to 300,000 luxury electric vehicles (EVs) annually—over 800 cars a day—thanks to hundreds of robots working in perpetual motion. This “dark factory” model enables hyper-automation, dramatically slashing production times and costs.

What are China's 'dark factories'? Will America's auto industry follow suit?

Automation is changing the automotive industry as we know it. The automotive sector is "the number one adopter of industrial robots" according to a 2024 piece about the rise of robotics from IBM.

The modern automotive assembly line is evolving. New developments in Chinese vehicle manufacturing could be horrific for workers in the American auto industry as automation takes center stage. Are fully-automated car factories the future of American automotive production?

"Dark factories" or "lights-out factories" are factories that rely so heavily on robotics and artificial intelligence systems that they hardly need any human interaction or input to function, says technology company Siemens. These factories can perform assembly tasks that were typically done by human workers prior to the advent of these advanced robotics systems.

Western Executives Shaken After Visiting China