Good morning, readers!

Going into the weekend, we have stories that demonstrate two different approaches to taking over a nation.

1. China: slowly absorb a country through economic and cultural integration—The Trojan Horse Method.

2. Russia: poke around other nations until they get tired and show signs of weakness—The Poke and Prod Method.

Which one will prove to be more effective?

Today’s geopolitics hotspots

China’s new reunification plan: a bridge to nowhere?

It seems like China is considering a non-forceful plan to “reunify” with Taiwan: make it an offer it can’t refuse.

But Taiwan is not falling for China’s “Trojan Horse” scheme to seduce and swallow them whole.

📄 What’s the plan?

• China announced on Tuesday that it wants to turn Fujian, the province closest to Taiwan, into a zone for integrated development.

• Taiwan will get sweet perks like easier residency, property rights, job opportunities, and public services in Fujian.

No more red tape. Taiwanese can live, move, and access benefits like locals in Fujian. No more need to register their temporary residence every time they move.

Property ownership. Taiwanese can own properties in Fujian without any limits. All they need is a valid travel document.

Employment and welfare. Taiwanese can work in various fields, such as education, health care, culture, and sports. They can also enjoy equal medical care, housing, elderly care, and social assistance.

Bridging Xiamen and Kinmen. China plans to speed up the gas, electricity, and transportation links between Xiamen, a Chinese city in Fujian, and Kinmen, a Taiwanese-controlled island group.

😬 Taiwan smells a rat.

• Some Kinmen residents are keen on this plan. Some even want to make the island a demilitarized zone or a “peace island.”

• Earlier this year, some local councilors in Kinmen proposed to build a bridge to Xiamen to boost economic ties.

👎🏻 Taiwan says no thanks.

• Taiwan thinks that China is trying to bribe Taiwanese people and companies to accept its rule and give up their democracy.

• Taiwan also suspects that China has hidden agendas, such as using Fujian as a base for military and spy activities against Taiwan.

What do you think? Is China’s plan a net benefit for Taiwanese people or a trap to absorb future generations of Taiwanese population into China?

🌟 Today’s gem

Quick updates

Click the country's name for more.👇🏻

🇹🇼 Taiwan:

Taiwan to Musk: We’re not for sale, and we’re not Hawaii.

Elon Musk has sparked outrage after he called Taiwan “an integral part of China” in an interview. He likened Taiwan’s situation to Hawaii’s, blaming the US for blocking China’s reunion.

Taiwan’s foreign minister Joseph Wu fired back on X, saying that Taiwan is neither part of China nor for sale.

🇧🇬 Bulgaria:

Bulgaria consults NATO.

Bulgaria is seeking help from NATO, to respond to Russia blockading parts of Bulgaria’s exclusive economic zone citing military drills. Bulgaria considers this provocation.

What will NATO and Bulgaria do next?

🇺🇦 Ukraine:

Zelenskyy to meet Biden soon.

President Zelenskyy is flying to Washington next week to meet with Biden and Congress. He hopes to secure $24 billion in military and humanitarian support, but he faces resistance from some lawmakers who want to cut off funding.

Zelenskyy is also set to attend the UN General Assembly in New York to rally global allies.

🇷🇺 Russia:

Russia boots two US diplomats for spying.

Russia kicked out two American diplomats who allegedly spied on its military secrets.

The diplomats, Jeffrey Sillin and David Bernstein, are accused of instructing a former US consulate employee to collect information about Russia’s military action in Ukraine.

The employee, Robert Shonov, was arrested earlier this year and charged under a new law that criminalizes any “confidential cooperation” with foreign entities.