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    China & Taiwan Update, February 20, 2026

    Toplines The United States is reportedly hesitating over whether to fulfill its next arms sales to Taiwan out of concern that it could derail US President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Beijing. Suspending the sales would risk emboldening the CCP and encouraging it to pursue further concessions from the United States, however. In a phone…

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    Opinion | A speedy pardon in the Jimmy Lai case is unlikely

      Opinion | A speedy pardon in the Jimmy Lai case is unlikely

      After being sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for national security offences on February 9, Apple Daily founder Jimmy Lai Chee-ying will decide if he wishes to appeal. He may challenge his convictions and/or sentences and has about two weeks to make up his mind. Given the length of his trial (156 days), the mountain of…

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        Licensed merchandise sales expected to exceed RMB 1 bn

        Greater Bay Chicken boosts Spring Festival tourism: Licensed merchandise sales expected to exceed RMB 1 bn. (DDN) The mascots of the 15th National Games and Paralympics — “Xi Yangyang” and “Le Rongrong,” affectionately nicknamed “Greater Bay Chicken” — have become a cultural tourism sensation across the Greater Bay Area during the Spring Festival. The mascots…

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        US says China ‘massively expanded’ nuclear arsenal

          US says China ‘massively expanded’ nuclear arsenal

          Chinese ambassador Shen Jian said his country ‘firmly opposes the constant distortion and smearing of its nuclear policy by certain countries’. (AFP pic) GENEVA: The US on Monday accused China of dramatically swelling its nuclear arsenal, and doubled down on claims that Beijing had conducted secret nuclear tests, demanding again it be part of any…

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            Panama wrests control of canal ports from Hong Kong group | National

            Panamanian authorities took control Monday of two ports on the Panama Canal from CK Hutchison after the Hong Kong-based conglomerate’s concession was annulled amid a row between the United States and China. “The Panama Maritime Authority has taken possession of its ports and guarantees the continuity of operations,” an official said after the Panamanian Supreme…

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              Mass confusion over loophole which may allow dual British-Australian citizens to travel home on expired passports

              British and Irish citizens, however, won’t need to apply for an ETA to visit. The UK government has quietly revealed a passport loophole for dual British-Australian citizens. (Getty) Now, the UK government has stated some airlines may allow British expats to travel on both an expired UK passport and a valid Australian passport. “The personal…

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