In this case, it is the United States that is grappling with the sudden announcement that China would no long export to this country vital elements that include gallium, germanium, antimony and other super hard materials.

The People’s Bank of China (PBOC) held the interest rate on the one-year medium-term lending facility (MLF) steady at 2 per cent, according to a statement on Dec 25. Nine out of the 10 economists surveyed by Bloomberg forecast no change. The rate was last cut in September by 30 basis points.

A Chinese Foreign Ministry statement urged President Biden to stop arming Taiwan and stop what it called "dangerous moves that undermine peace.

The Chinese Navy has fielded the extended-range JL-3-class SLBM, capable of reaching the continental United States, on its JIN-class ballistic missile submarine, enabling China to strike the continental United States with SLBMs from the Bohai Gulf or the South China Sea.

China's control is most pronounced in materials like gallium, accounting for 98 percent of global production. Gallium is vital for manufacturing high-performance microchips used in cutting-edge military technologies such as advanced radar systems and missile guidance platforms.

China is skirting U.S. efforts to block its interference in areas ranging from trade to national security by cozying up with state officials to foster relations and keep its influence active in the U.

Most experts believe that the United States would enter a “long depression” if the supply chains linking the United States and China together were severed due to a war between the two great powers.

A former US Marine accused of training Chinese military pilots will be extradited to face charges in the United States, Australia’s Attorney General confirmed Monday, dealing a blow to supporters who have mounted a public campaign for his freedom.

Should China be foolish enough to open any potential war on Taiwan with a series of surprise attacks on U.S. military facilities throughout the Indo-Pacific, the chance for uncontrolled escalation into nuclear warfare is very real,

China does not dominate global chip production yet, but its market share is growing fast. The U.S. government estimates that China could be responsible for more than 40 percent of global capacity in foundational chips by 2032, with more than half of the world’s capacity in some segments.

Taiwan maintains its own democratic autonomy from China despite Beijing's claims of sovereignty over the island. Tensions in the Taiwan Strait are often high, as China has staged military exercises and war games off the island's coast. The 100-mile wide strait separates China and Taiwan.