China would need to do more than kill or capture Taiwan’s president, Lai Ching-te, as that would leave intact the rest of the government, which has a clear line of succession. The PLA is thus likely to use decapitation strikes as part of a bigger operation, potentially a full-scale invasion.

Energy experts say the US and China are diverging on the energy transition, with China sprinting far ahead on renewables and EVs, while the US doubles down on drilling oil at home and abroad.

China criticized the Trump administration’s reported call for Venezuela to sever its alliances with US rivals, labeling the move a “bullying act” as their competition for influence in the region emerges as a new source of friction.

Some Chinese online users are calling for a lightning Venezuela-style snatch of Taiwan's leaders in a prelude to taking over the island, but analysts, scholars and security officials say China's modernising military is still far from ready.

US intervention and capture of President Nicolas Maduro thrust China’s ties with Venezuela into a new period of uncertainty, say experts - Anadolu Ajansı

A think tank reported in June that Venezuela's radar fleet suffered shortages of spare parts amid "minimum" Chinese tech support.

Beijing has lent billions to Caracas in recent decades, and the fate of money it is owed is in question after the ouster of Venezuela’s leader.

In his efforts to "run" Venezuela after the capture of dictator Nicolás Maduro, President Donald Trump and his administration have pressured Venezuela's government, now led by Delcy Rodríguez, to cut ties with America's adversaries.