Syrian Government Consolidates Control as Kurdish Forces Withdraw from Key Regions 
Trump Says Greenland Is Key to Global Security After Call With NATO Chief 
Trump Criticizes NYSE Texas Expansion, Calls Dallas Exchange a Blow to New York 
Trump Administration Appeals Judge’s Order Limiting ICE Tactics in Minneapolis 
Ukraine Unveils New Drone-Based Air Defence Strategy Amid Rising Russian Threats 
Supreme Court Tests Federal Reserve Independence Amid Trump’s Bid to Fire Lisa Cook 
Syria Announces Ceasefire With Kurdish Forces as U.S. Pushes Integration Deal 
Minnesota U.S. Citizen Detained by ICE in Armed Raid Sparks Outrage and Civil Rights Concerns 
Trump Rejects Talks With Maduro Amid Election Interference Allegations 
Trump Revives Greenland Ownership Push Ahead of World Economic Forum in Davos 
Trump Says U.S. Will Soon Target Land Routes for Drug Trafficking 
U.S. Plans NATO Staff Reductions, Raising Fresh Concerns Over Alliance Commitment 
Trump Signals Possible Harvard Deal Amid Ongoing Tensions 
Russia Says Ukraine Peace Talks With U.S. Show Progress 
Russian Air Attacks Plunge Kyiv Into Darkness, Raise Nuclear Safety Fears 
Kazakh President Tokayev Accepts Invitation to Join Trump-Proposed “Board of Peace” 
Tensions between China and Taiwan remain high, especially with increasing Chinese military activity in the region. However, a recent directive by Beijing has sparked speculation that the nation may soon be engaging in a military conflict with the island nation.
Express reports China’s Commerce Ministry issued a directive Monday, telling citizens to stock up on essential goods. This follows news of new COVID-19 outbreaks and heavy rains that resulted in an increase in vegetable prices. The increase in prices also raised concerns about possible supply shortages in the country.
However, the directive sparked speculation that it was because China was preparing for a military conflict against Taiwan. Beijing has not ruled out taking back the island nation by force even as it is engaging in a pressure campaign against the island and its democratic government. Chinese planes have increasingly invaded Taiwan’s airspace as of late.
In response to the speculation, the Chinese state-backed news outlet Economic Daily told citizens not to jump to conclusions. The outlet clarified that the directive was to ensure that citizens had enough supplies in case another lockdown may occur in the midst of the outbreaks and tensions.
Stephen McDonnell, the China Correspondent for BBC, also said the directive was “getting really blown out of proportion.”
“China’s Commerce Ministry has caused quite a stir by - for some reason - advising people in a report to ‘stockpile daily necessities.’ It seems to have been only one sentence in an online statement/work plan. The comment is now getting really blown out of proportion. There have been conspiracy theories spreading online that this advice is because Beijing is preparing for a war with Taiwan,” tweeted McDonnell.
Despite this directive aiming to ensure citizens have enough supplies to make it through another possible lockdown, Gen. Mark Milley, the US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, has warned that China is developing its capabilities to carry out an invasion of the island nation.
Gen. Milley was pressed at the Aspen Security Forum Wednesday about a possible conflict when he made the warning. Despite warning that China is developing capabilities to launch an invasion, Milley said that he does not think it would happen anytime soon.
