RH 6.2.26 | China: Taiwan Pressure, PLA Drills, AI Surge, Energy Taps, Nuclear Hardened

👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  China is stepping up its game across the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea. Today's episode dives into the latest law enforcement patrols east of Taiwan, where the China Coast Guard is turning territorial claims into routine operations. We break down what this means for Tokyo and Manila, and why these moves are more than just ships in the water.  The PLA is keeping the pressure on with carrier drills near the Philippines and Miyako Islands. We explore how these operations are shaping regional access, influencing allied planning, and signaling China's long-range operational reach. It's a mix of strategy and presence designed to keep neighbors guessing.  Technology and industrial policy are also front and center. We unpack new Chinese rules on outbound investment, the acquisition of foreign patents, and the rapid adoption of AI platforms like OpenClaw and MuleRun. Listeners will get a clear view of how Beijing is accelerating domestic AI deployment, shaping user behavior, and positioning itself for global influence in agentic AI.  Energy and economics remain a key part of China's strategy. Refiners are drawing on crude stockpiles as imports hit a decade low. We discuss the implications for global oil markets, refining margins, and how China is insulating itself while keeping an eye on regional leverage. Meanwhile, we touch on China's transactional relationship with Iran and how Eurasian connectivity is becoming a tool for strategic influence without binding military commitments.  Finally, we examine the Hami nuclear silo expansion in Xinjiang. China is hardening its nuclear forces to ensure survivability and maintain a credible second-strike capability. We break down what this means for Taiwan contingency planning and how it changes the calculus for the US and its allies.  This episode combines maritime, military, technological, economic, and nuclear developments into a single strategic picture. Listeners will come away with a full understanding of how Beijing is integrating pressure, innovation, and deterrence to secure influence across multiple domains.  👉 Subscribe to The Restricted Handling Podcast https://www.restrictedhandling.com/  Get the daily intelligence brief Ryan and Glenn read covering Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, the Middle East, geopolitics, sanctions, military and intel operations. Save a few hours of your time getting ahead of the news cycle at restrictedhandling.com.