Beijing Preparing For Conflict? Thousands Of Boats Mass In East China Sea Thousands of Chinese fishing boats formed large geometric patterns in the East China Sea, according to satellite data and ship-tracking analysis. The vessels, positioned as close as 500 metres to each other, held their formations for about 30 hours before dispersing in near gale-force winds. Experts believe the coordinated movements signal Beijing’s potential preparations for a regional crisis or conflict. Jason Wang, chief operating officer of ingeniSPACE, noted the unusual nature of the event. Monitoring ship-tracking data on Christmas Day, he observed roughly 2,000 fishing boats arranged in two parallel inverted Ls, each spanning 400 kilometres. The vessels maintained their positions despite harsh weather conditions, a pattern rarely seen in natural fishing activities. “Something didn’t look right to me because in nature very rarely do you see straight lines,” Wang said. Maritime and military experts described the scale of the operation as unprecedented. The formations, detected around 300 kilometres northeast of Taiwan, involved thousands of boats, far exceeding typical gatherings. Similar incidents were recorded in early January, with around 1,000 vessels clustered in an uneven rectangle for over a day. Hundreds of these boats were also present during the December 25 event. Experts suggest the massing of boats was not for fishing purposes. Gregory Poling of the Center for Strategic and International Studies called the December 25 event “a demonstration with a military lens,” highlighting the ability to coordinate large numbers of vessels. Jennifer Parker, a former Australian naval officer, emphasized the unusual proximity of the boats, stating, “They’re definitely not fishing.#beijing #east_china_sea #ingenspace #center_for_strategic_and_international_studies #unseenlabs
宋平同志逝世 中国共产党的优秀党员，忠诚的共产主义战士，杰出的无产阶级革命家、政治家，党和国家的卓越领导人，中国共产党第十三届中央政治局常委，原国务委员宋平同志，因病医治无效，于2026年3月4日15时36分在北京逝世，享年109岁。 宋平同志原名宋延平，1917年4月出生于山东莒县一个农民家庭。少年时期，他热爱祖国，为人正直，勤奋好学。1926年至1934年在青岛、济南、北平等地求学。1934年至1937年先后在北平大学农学院、清华大学读书。其间，他思想进步、追求光明，参加了一二·九运动，并加入进步组织中华民族解放先锋队。1937年后，他投身革命工作，历任多个重要职务，为民族独立和人民解放事业作出重要贡献。 新中国成立后，宋平同志长期在党和国家重要岗位上工作，担任领导职务期间，他始终坚持以人民为中心的发展思想，推动社会主义建设事业不断前进。他参与制定和实施多项重大政策，为国家经济建设、社会进步和改革开放作出了不可替代的贡献。 在改革开放时期，宋平同志深入基层，调查研究，为中央决策提供重要参考。他注重理论联系实际，强调实事求是，推动党的理论创新和实践创新。他始终把党的事业放在首位，以高度的责任感和使命感投身于各项工作，展现出卓越的领导能力和政治智慧。 宋平同志晚年仍心系党和国家发展，关注党的理论和党史研究、国企改革、“三农”问题、人口形势变化、青少年成长等，积极建言献策。党的十八大以来，他坚决拥护和支持以习近平同志为核心的党中央领导，坚定支持党风廉政建设和反腐败斗争。 宋平同志的一生，是革命的一生、战斗的一生、光辉的一生。他始终忠于党、忠于人民、忠于共产主义事业，为党和人民事业兢兢业业、不懈奋斗，建立了不可磨灭的功勋。他的革命精神、崇高品德和优良作风永远值得我们学习。他的逝世，是党和国家的重大损失。我们要化悲痛为力量，更加紧密地团结在以习近平同志为核心的党中央周围，高举中国特色社会主义伟大旗帜，全面贯彻习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想，为以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业而团结奋斗。#song_ping #song_yanping #shandong_juxian #beijing #xin_jie_shi
Total Lunar Eclipse of 2026 Captured in Stunning Images Worldwide The March 3 total lunar eclipse of 2026 captivated skywatchers across the globe, offering a breathtaking display of celestial mechanics as Earth’s shadow transformed the moon into a crimson-hued blood moon. The event, which occurred during a full moon phase, saw the lunar disk pass through Earth’s umbra, the darkest part of the planet’s shadow, while sunlight filtered through Earth’s atmosphere to create the striking red glow. This phenomenon, known as a blood moon, occurs when Earth blocks direct sunlight from reaching the moon, allowing only the longer red wavelengths of light to reach its surface. The eclipse’s dramatic visuals were captured by photographers in various locations, each offering unique perspectives of the event. Ted Aljibe’s image of the moon glowing orange over Manila highlighted the interplay of light and atmosphere, as the lunar disk’s proximity to the horizon caused its reflected sunlight to travel a longer path through Earth’s atmosphere, scattering blue light and enhancing the orange hue. Similarly, Lee’s wide-angle shot from Beijing captured the moon’s crescent edge illuminated by refracted sunlight, with the city’s skyline casting light into the night sky. As the eclipse progressed, the moon’s surface took on a foreboding crimson tone, as documented by Tayfun Coskun’s photograph. The image revealed a deep orange-red hue, with a faint bluish light visible along the moon’s lower edge—a fleeting phenomenon known as the “turquoise band.” This occurs when red light is scattered by Earth’s ozone layer, allowing blue wavelengths to bend onto the lunar surface.#beijing #total_lunar_eclipse_2026 #manila #ho_chi_minh_city #chiang_mai
Central Figure in Chinese Communist Party Passes Away Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 4, 2026 — A prominent member of the Chinese Communist Party, a dedicated communist fighter, and a distinguished revolutionary leader passed away on March 4, 2026, at 3:36 p.m. in Beijing. The individual, Song Ping, was 109 years old. He served as a member of the 13th Central Political Bureau Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China and held the position of former State Commissioner. His death occurred after prolonged illness, with medical efforts unable to save his life. Song Ping was recognized for his long-standing commitment to the Communist Party, his role as a key political figure, and his contributions to the nation's leadership during critical periods. His career spanned decades of service, marked by his loyalty to the party's principles and his involvement in shaping China's political landscape. The announcement highlights the passing of a leader who played a significant role in the country's governance and development. The news comes as a reminder of the contributions of older generations of leaders to China's political and social progress. His legacy is acknowledged through the formal recognition of his service and the respect afforded to his passing. The details of his life and career underscore the historical context of his leadership within the Communist Party's framework. The announcement reflects the formal procedures followed by the party in recognizing the death of high-ranking officials. It also serves as a moment for reflection on the contributions of such figures to the nation's history. The details provided emphasize the significance of his role and the impact of his leadership over the years.#song_ping #beijing #communist_party_of_china #central_political_bureau #state_commissioner
SCO Defends Iran and Urges UN to Halt Middle East War Members of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) have issued a statement addressing the situation in Iran, condemning the use of force in the Middle East and military strikes against Iran as unacceptable. The bloc called for a strictly peaceful resolution to the ongoing disputes. The statement emphasized the need to ensure the sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity of Iran, urging all parties to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could worsen the situation. The SCO also urged the United Nations to take immediate measures to address threats to international peace and security. The organization expressed condolences to the families of those killed in recent attacks and reaffirmed its solidarity with the government and people of Iran. On March 1, 2026, following Iran’s declaration of national mourning over the death of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and in remembrance of victims of the recent tragic events in the country, the SCO lowered its flag to half-staff at its secretariat in Beijing. This gesture symbolized the bloc’s support for Iran during a time of national sorrow and underscored its commitment to maintaining stability in the region. The SCO’s statement highlights its stance against escalating violence and its call for diplomatic solutions to conflicts involving Iran. The bloc’s actions reflect broader concerns about the impact of military interventions on regional security and the importance of preserving diplomatic channels in resolving disputes.#iran #united_nations #ali_khamenei #beijing #shanghai_cooperation_organization
Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Flags Lowered in Mourning for Iran's Supreme Leader and Victims On March 1, 2026, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) lowered its flag to half-mast at the Secretariat in Beijing as a gesture of solidarity with the Islamic Republic of Iran during its national mourning period. This decision followed the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the Supreme Leader of Iran, and was also intended to express condolences for the victims of recent tragic events in the country. The move reflected the SCO’s commitment to showing respect for the loss and the circumstances surrounding the developments in Iran. The flag was displayed at half-mast at the organisation’s headquarters in Beijing, underscoring the significance of the moment and the shared sentiment of grief among member states. The SCO’s actions highlighted the interconnectedness of its member nations and their willingness to acknowledge collective sorrow in times of crisis.#iran #ayatollah_ali_khamenei #beijing #islamic_republic_of_iran #shanghai_cooperation_organisation
