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China is slowly moving ships into contested portions of the South China Sea. Ostensibly “fishing” vessels––though they never actually fish––these boats are sometimes lashed together to make artificial islands.

The Philippines has deployed its air force in response to the 220 Chinese fishing vessels spotted in disputed waters. Earlier this month, the Philippines claimed that the ships were manned by Chinese militia.

A top U.S. military commander has said that China is developing a huge, offensive military. He also warned that China could invade Taiwan in the next six years and take a global leadership role.

Meanwhile, China, as part of its usual change-of-presidency bellicosity, has warned the United States against interfering with China’s designs on Taiwan. Earlier this year, China called Taiwan an “insurmountable red line.”

China, worried that Taiwanese leadership is preparing to declare formal independence, has issued a warning: any such decree means war. The announcement comes just says after Taiwan reported a Chinese incursion into their airspace, including eight bombers and four fighters. China has long considered Taiwan part of its own territory.

China is currently in hot water, internationally. The U.S. State Department has labeled China’s treatment of the Uighur people genocide, the harshest criticism of Beijing’s actions. Boris Johnson has announced that the British government will not call the Uighur situation in genocide.

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