West Taiwan Isn't Going to Be Happy About This...

Apparently, Breaking Bad didn't have enough Chinese characters. China calls out Trump on Iran. And the stage is being set for next week's meeting between Trump and Xi. And Trump is threatening the bombs will drop. That and more on this week's China news headlines. Welcome to China Uncensored, I'm Chris Chappell. This episode is sponsored by Incogni. You probably know that companies are collecting your personal data. But you may not realize just how many. Dozens, maybe hundreds. Most of which you've never heard of, and you have no idea what they're doing with it. Incogni helps stop them. I'll tell you more at the end. So apparently, Breaking Bad didn't have enough Chinese characters, because two Chinese nationals have been accused of planning to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine precursor chemicals in the US on a massive scale. But that can't be. China promised it helped the US stop drug trafficking. The nationals called this machine they made the future of the global chemical industry. This behemoth, along with other lab equipment, made its way from a port in Shanghai last year. But then, luckily for the US, the plot ran into problems. First, European authorities seized the equipment as it was being shipped from China to Europe, forcing the two to resort to just shipping the chemicals. But then it turned out that they had been communicating with DEA operatives, posing as fellow drug traffickers. So before you complain about catfishing, remember, it can be used for good. The pair was arrested in New York. I think they might have had more luck down in Philly Kensington's neighborhood. If you know, you know. And if you don't, I envy your ignorance. Speaking of Chinese bad actors infiltrating America, this week FBI Director Kash Patel was on Sean Hannity's podcast, and he said this. Why do they want ranch land, farmland, and land near our military installation if they're not trying to spy on us? Sean, that's just it. That's what they're doing. If you look back at the last year, this FBI has arrested 47% more Chinese espionage actors, to include people that they have co-opted in every branch of the United States military. We are indicting and arresting at least multiple people a month for stealing secrets, providing classified information back to mainland China. But that's how they get their tentacles across the US government enterprise. And so what we're doing is seeking out those bad actors wherever they are, including within the United States government. I'm telling you, you watch China Uncensored, you're ahead of the curve. I've been talking about this for years. So the good news is that the FBI has got their eyes on China. They're bugged out, unblinking, all-seeing eyes. The bad news is that the Pentagon is reportedly paying a Chinese-linked firm to vet Beijing military threats. So I guess the Pentagon didn't get the memo. So what's the story here? Well, the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency gave a $21.2 million contract to Moody's Analytics to identify threats posed by military companies. But Moody's owns a 30% stake in the CCP's main credit rating firm, which in turn gave top ratings to Chinese military companies. So that's a pretty obvious conflict of interest, to put it lightly. To put it heavily, what the hell are you doing, you morons? So take your pick on how you want to put it. On top of that, Moody's has interest or ownership in several subsidiaries across China's financial infrastructure, many of which are linked to the PLA or Chinese intelligence. In a world full of bad political moves, this takes the cake that likely has a camera in it that the CCP is using to spy on Americans. But now it's time to talk about the Middle East. I know, something different. Apparently, China is still supplying drone parts to factories in Iran and Russia, despite US sanctions. Because China is like Oprah to brutal dictators. You get weapons, you get weapons, everyone gets weapons! More specifically, Xiamen Victory Technology offered to sell the German-designed Limbok L550 engines, which can be used for Shaheed suicide drones to Russia and Iran. On the bright side, it's nice hearing about an extremist Muslim organization using suicide exploding drones instead of people. Progress? The US obviously had banned this material from being sold, but some analysts think China is finding ways around these sanctions. In fact, the CCP has even ordered five Chinese firms to ignore US sanctions on refineries of Iranian oil. The US is continuing to warn China that these violations will come with a steep financial cost. Which the CCP, like most people in this horrible economy, can't afford. Meanwhile, as all this has been going on, and just days before US President Donald Trump's meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, China's top envoy met with Iran's in Beijing. Don't they look pleased as punch? Well, except for Wang. He never looks happy. Does this mean China is pressuring Iran to make a deal with the US? The CCP is continuing to condemn the war on Iran as illegal, because if anyone would be a moral authority on invasions of other countries, it's China. So what does Trump have to say about all this? Well, Trump says China is not challenging the US on Iran, and that Xi has been very respectful, especially considering how much of China's oil goes through the Strait of Hormuz. Which, given what I said earlier about China ordering its companies to ignore US sanctions, is a bit rich. But when pressed by PBS to talk about the CCP's indirect support of Iran, he had this to say. Well, it is what it is, right? We do things, too, against them. So I'll bring it up, but if this ends, there'll be not much to bring up, frankly. I think it's got a very good chance of ending. And if it doesn't end, we have to go back to bombing the hell out of them. Very simple. I don't think I've ever heard someone go from It is what it is to I guess we'll have to bomb them so quickly and so casually. So what does he mean by If this ends? Well, according to Axios, citing anonymous officials, the US and Iran are closing in on a one-page memo to end the war. The memorandum of understanding covers the general points of a deal, including a moratorium on nuclear enrichment for Iran and an end to sanctions by the US, while leaving some of the stickier details for a later date. And Trump apparently thinks it will be signed before he leaves for Beijing next week. I had a phone call with the president a short time ago, and he is optimistic about this deal, this memorandum of understanding. Thinks it is going to lead to things. He's cautiously optimistic, I should say. But thinks, and I asked him what the time frame would be, he puts it at a week, getting everything wrapped up. Trump also reassured reporters that he will raise the issue of Jimmy Lai in his talks with Xi. And I'm sure a lot will be accomplished in the meeting, since talks with China are always so productive. But there's so much changing literally every day that nobody knows what is going on or what will happen. But one thing's for sure, Trump's trip to Beijing next week is going to be pretty interesting. So stay tuned. So I think it's time for some good news. Taiwan has blown past forecasts with economic growth at a 39-year high. I bet West Taiwan is jealous. The island's Statistic Bureau says that the record high growth is a result of strong exports and investments, along with private consumption. You know, the part that's seriously missing in mainland China. In fact, Taiwan's exports hit an all-time high in March, jumping around 62% from the previous year. It's higher than Afroman the first April 20th after winning his court case. And Taiwan's GDP expanded nearly 13.7% compared to a whole 1% lower in 2025. It seems the war in Iran hasn't had as big of an impact on Taiwan as expected. And compared to China's years-long economic slump, these reports are an economic example of what's known in academic circles as flexing on your haters. This episode is sponsored by Incogni. One time, I got a text from Amazon prompting me to log in and change my password. It was so convincing, I nearly logged in using their fake link. I was seconds away from disaster. I get these kinds of scams all the time, and I bet you do, too. Because whenever you do anything online, there are tons of companies that collect your personal data and then sell it off to these scammers. They're talking your name, phone number, social security number, home address, and more. 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Go to incogni.com slash uncensored and use the code UNCENSORED to get 60% off an annual Incogni plan. Erase your personal data from the Internet with Incogni. They can't harm you if they can't find you. Once again, I'm Chris Chappell. Thanks for watching China Uncensored.