TMM 5.21.25 | China’s Taiwan Tactics, Drone Motherships, and Global Push

21/05/2025 6 min

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Episode Synopsis

In this episode of The Mad Minute, we break down China’s latest moves shaking up the global stage, from rising tensions with Taiwan to cutting-edge military innovations.We start with Taiwan, where Chinese maritime incursions are part of a broader greyzone warfare strategy aimed at destabilizing Taiwan without triggering full conflict. These low-level but persistent intrusions are a warning sign that Beijing’s pressure on Taiwan is intensifying.Then, we head to the South China Sea, where China continues its maritime harassment of the Philippines, especially around Pagasa Island. Despite China’s aggressive tactics, the Philippines, with U.S. support, is bolstering its defense and conducting joint exercises to secure its territorial waters.In global health, China’s pledge of $500 million to the World Health Organization marks a power shift, as it replaces the U.S. as the WHO's top donor. This is part of China’s broader effort to assert leadership in global governance. Meanwhile, China’s satellite projects, Guowang and Qianfan, aim to rival SpaceX’s Starlink, though they face setbacks in satellite performance and rocket launch capacity.On the military front, China unveils the Jiu Tian drone mothership, designed to launch swarms of drones for strategic operations. While impressive, experts question its effectiveness in high-stakes combat situations. Is it a game-changer or a flashy prop?We close with China’s space ambitions. A new microbe discovered aboard the Tiangong space station has adapted to extreme conditions in space, providing insights into long-term missions to the Moon and Mars.Catch all the latest updates on China’s global strategy, military tech, and space exploration in today’s episode of The Mad Minute. Don’t miss it!

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