Japan is openly stepping up its involvement in the South China Sea. · Ten years ago, Japan was among the first countries to endorse the so-called South China Sea arbitration award. · Ten years later, it is no longer just voicing support. The Balikatan exercise has expanded to its largest scale ever. · For the first time, Japan's Maritime, Ground and Air Self-Defense Forces participated in the exercise in an integrated manner. · Japan also launched Type 88 missiles overseas for the first time since the end of World War II. The Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) has entered into force, further deepening Japan-Philippines security ties. More recently, the two sides have even begun discussing the so-called maritime delimitation. Why is Japan becoming increasingly involved in the South China Sea? When did it start laying the groundwork? And how did it gradually extend its "white-hull strategy" and broader strategic playbook into the South China Sea?↓↓↓ @jaytaryela #SouthChinaSea #Japan #Philippines #MediaUnlocked

From Elon Musk's son and Jeff Bezos' children to Donald Trump's granddaughter, Mandarin is attracting growing interest among some of America's most influential families. But the trend extends far beyond the elites. Viral trends such as "China Travel", "Chinamaxxing" and "China Haul" are bringing Chinese culture and lifestyles to more Americans. Remember when American TikTok users flooded RedNote? Amid the RedNote wave, Duolingo reported a 216 percent year-on-year surge in new Mandarin learners in the US. From global business opportunities and China's growing AI ecosystem to hit games, web novels and short dramas, the reasons to learn Mandarin are multiplying. For some, it is a practical skill. For others, it is a gateway to a culture they are eager to explore. And increasingly, those motivations overlap. People learn Mandarin for many different reasons. But Mandarin offers both opportunities and a fascinating journey into Chinese culture. #MediaUnlocked

As some Western media outlets move from warnings of "China Shock 2.0" to talks of "China Shock 3.0" due to its growing competitiveness in AI, Di Dongsheng, dean of the School of Global and Area Studies at Renmin University of China, said: "I do not use those concepts." He sees these developments as part of a long-term transformation within the structure of the global market, arguing that China's industrial development is helping narrow the income gap between the Global South and the Global North. Rather than unfairly crowding out other countries, China has helped to rebalance market shares once disproportionately held by some Western economies. "We have merely restored some balance," Di explained.#MediaUnlocked

How to understand the new vision of a constructive China-US relationship of strategic stability? Has Washington's global tariff war achieved its goals? And what lies behind the so-called "China Shock" claim? We sat down with Di Dongsheng, dean of the School of Global and Area Studies at Renmin University of China, for an in-depth interview to explore the shifting dynamics of China-US relations. Here are his key quotes from the interview: • Despite their different rhetoric, the Biden and Trump administrations have reached the same underlying conclusion: "Confronting China brings them no advantage", while the risks are enormous and the consequences difficult to bear. • China's manufacturing sector has not unfairly crowded out other countries, as its share of global output is broadly proportional to its share of the world's population. "We have merely restored some balance." • AI competition is "a multifaceted competition that will play out over the long term", involving not only chips, computing power and algorithms, but also productive applications and the ability to balance the interests of new winners and losers. #MediaUnlocked

China allowed the Philippines to evacuate injured personnel from China's Ren'ai Reef on humanitarian grounds. Yet the Philippines turned around and smeared China. On October 8, a Philippine Coast Guard vessel entered the waters near China's Ren'ai Reef without permission and refused to explain its intentions. China took measures in accordance with the law. Water cannons were used because the Philippine side did not give prior notice. Only after that did the Philippine side request the evacuation of injured personnel from the illegally grounded ship BRP Sierra Madre. China immediately allowed Philippine small boats to transfer the injured and provided the necessary assistance on humanitarian grounds. Yet Jay Tarriela, spokesperson for the Philippine Coast Guard, claimed the transfer was carried out under water cannon attacks and dangerous maneuvers by the China Coast Guard. That's a complete distortion of the facts. During the transfer, the Philippine side repeatedly cited problems such as insufficient fuel to deploy its small boat and mechanical failures, delaying the operation. After the transfer was completed, Philippine Coast Guard vessel 4409 continued to linger near Ren'ai Reef for an extended period, showing no sign of returning to seek medical treatment for the injured. This prolonged delay further exposed the operation for what it really was: not a genuine humanitarian rescue mission, but yet another provocation disguised as one. #MediaUnlocked

Who really has authority over Ryukyu, also known as Okinawa? On October 3, a 39-year-old Ryukyuan woman was found dead in a hotel. A US Marine is now in Japanese custody, accused of killing her and stealing her belongings. And this is far from an isolated case. ·Official figures show that 6,409 criminal offenses involving US military personnel and related individuals between 1972 and 2025, including 600 felonious offenses such as murder, robbery and rape. ·Ryukyu accounts for just 0.6 percent of Japan's land area, yet hosts around 70 percent of the land occupied by US-exclusive military facilities in Japan. ·Under the US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement, US personnel enjoy special legal privileges. For offenses committed in the performance of official duty, the US generally has primary jurisdiction, and a suspect already in US custody can generally remain there until Japan formally files charges. #MediaUnlocked

What is really at stake in the China-US AI competition? How much impact have US technology restrictions actually had on China? And will the AI bubble burst? In a recent in-depth conversation with #MediaUnlocked, Wang Jian, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and director of Zhejiang Lab, shared his views on the future of AI. • He said AI development is still a "marathon": computing power alone does not determine the outcome, while data, models and efficiency could become key factors in the next stage. • On open source, Wang suggested that "open source" in the AI era might be better understood as "open resource". Sharing an open model means sharing not only code and model capabilities, but also the computing power, electricity and data behind them. • For countries in the Global South, the existence of different AI ecosystems means more choices. "Barriers should not be artificially created in technology, and even less so in politics," Wang said. "The choice should be left to the end user." #MediaUnlocked

Provocations by the Philippines will have consequences. China is now sending that warning through its actions. On September 24, breaking its commitment to inform China in advance and undergo on-site verification, the Philippines sent a vessel to deliver supplies to its warship illegally grounded at Ren'ai Reef. The mission failed. The China Coast Guard tracked the Philippine vessel and issued warnings in accordance with the law. When the Philippines sought to use the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus as a pretext for its military exercise, the PLA's response came faster than expected. On September 27, the PLA Southern Theater Command conducted a joint naval-air training exercise around Huangyan Island, while the China Coast Guard carried out drills focused on safeguarding maritime rights, enforcing the law, and maintaining control. Beijing has made its position clear: China will safeguard its territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests while upholding peace and stability in the South China Sea. Manila should think twice before pushing its luck. Otherwise, it may end up shooting itself in the foot.#MediaUnlocked

Why is China embracing open-source AI? Many assume open source is a way to gain a competitive edge. But Wang Jian, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering and director of Zhejiang Lab, sees it differently. In an exclusive interview with #MediaUnlocked, Wang said that "a prerequisite for open source is that your product must be good. You simply cannot open-source something bad." According to Wang, true open source means giving up exclusive control over a model, allowing others to use it, improve it and innovate on top of it. As more open models become available, users gain greater choice and are less likely to be locked into a single technological ecosystem.

The Chinese President attended a welcoming ceremony hosted by US President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday morning. The grand ceremony lasted roughly an hour and a half. Here are some key moments. President Trump and the First Lady greeted the Chinese leader at the White House's South Portico before the two leaders delivered remarks inside. One detail stood out: both leaders reflected on the shared history of China and the United States fighting fascism during World War II. The ceremony continued with military performances on the South Lawn and in the Rose Garden. The grand finale featured a B-2 Spirit bomber and four F-22 Raptors flying over the White House.#MediaUnlocked

"I am absolutely going crazy right now!" US teacher Ronald Sakolsky could barely contain his excitement after the Chinese President shared his story with Yin Yuzhen at the White House state dinner. In an exclusive response to #MediaUnlocked, Sakolsky said their friendship shows that ordinary people from different cultures can get along, adding that the speeches at the White House absolutely "had us in the right direction". #ChinaUS #Friendship

The Chinese President arrived at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday afternoon, officially beginning a three-day state visit to the United States. The biggest detail? US President Trump and the First Lady personally traveled from the White House to greet the Chinese leader at the airport. The welcoming ceremony lasted over 30 minutes and showcased an exceptionally high level of hospitality.#MediaUnlocked

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi wants to remove the "enemy state clauses" from the UN Charter. China argues that the clauses remain important safeguards against the return of militarism. Japan, meanwhile, considers them outdated and has pushed for their formal removal. Some South Korean media have noted that the move is not only about shedding Japan's postwar "enemy state" label. It could also help Tokyo raise its international status, counter China's influence and create more political space for expanding its military capabilities. So why does Japan want these postwar clauses gone now and what could their removal mean?#MediaUnlocked

China has announced that President Xi Jinping will visit the United States this week, 11 years after his last state visit to the country in 2015. The trip will also mark a historic exchange of visits between the Chinese and US leaders within the space of six months. What will the two leaders discuss at their second summit this year? Experts predict that issues such as trade, technology and artificial intelligence will all be on the table. The significance of the meeting will extend far beyond China and the United States. As the world's two largest economies, every major interaction between them can send ripples through global markets and regional affairs around the world.#MediaUnlocked

On September 18, the China Coast Guard carried out a law enforcement operation near China's Xianbin Reef. Philippine vessel 3015 ignored warnings from the Chinese side, suddenly accelerated and cut across the bow of a Chinese coast guard vessel, resulting in a collision. Footage from the scene shows the Philippine vessel making two dangerous maneuvers near Chinese coast guard vessels within 10 minutes. #MediaUnlocked

During the third China-Latin American and Caribbean States Roundtable on Human Rights, Gustavo Pacheco Villar, former president of the Andean Parliament and president and founder of the International Institute of Government in Peru, said the right to life is the most fundamental human right. He noted that China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty and said the country deserves a Nobel Prize for this achievement. #MediaUnlocked

Recently, the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs revised its statement on the South China Sea after it had already been released. "The territory of the Philippines has nothing to do with the islands in the South China Sea," said Wu Shicun, chairman of the Huayang Center for Marine Cooperation and Ocean Governance, in an interview at the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum. He also pointed out that the Philippines' illegal occupation of islands and reefs is a fact that cannot be changed by repeatedly adjusting its narrative. Such claims cannot withstand the test of time. #MediaUnlocked

Since the Chancay mega-port in Peru, developed by the China Ocean Shipping Company, began operations, a direct shipping route to Shanghai has opened, making the port an important hub for imports and exports. During the third China-Latin American and Caribbean States Roundtable on Human Rights, Gustavo Pacheco Villar, former president of the Andean Parliament and president and founder of the International Institute of Government in Peru, said in an interview that China can contribute a great deal to Peru, while Peru can also contribute to China. This is just the beginning. #MediaUnlocked

The 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum is underway in Beijing from September 15 to 17. •Delegations from more than 100 countries, regions and international organizations are taking part. •The forum discusses key issues including the resolution of regional conflicts, AI governance, maritime security governance, and prospects for peace in the Middle East. •The forum is a place to listen to different views, respect differences and seek common ground — reflecting the Chinese idea of "harmony without uniformity". "The forum is effectively dealing with conflict and trying to make people have better dialogue together to find solutions. And this is what we need. China is the only country to do that," said Jean Christophe Baron von Pfetten, chairman of the UK's Royal Institute for East West Strategic Studies.#MediaUnlocked

During the ongoing 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum, former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama said that current Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi should either retract the Taiwan-related remarks she made last November, or communicate in "an absolutely unambiguous manner" that Japan continues to firmly respect the one-China principle. #MediaUnlocked

"People in the West still don't quite understand the idea of 'harmony without uniformity'. Chinese people need to teach them," said Jean Christophe Baron von Pfetten, chairman of the UK's Royal Institute for East West Strategic Studies, in an interview at the 13th Beijing Xiangshan Forum. #MediaUnlocked