Good morning, readers!

As the map below shows, Asia is really feeling the heat after China’s recent bold move, with even India lighting up.

It seems that for every step towards unity between China and India, they take a few steps back with moves like these.

Today’s geopolitics hotspots:

How China’s new map is triggering its neighbors

China just released a new map of its borders—triggering a lot of its neighbors. The map shows China grabbing land and water from other countries, like India, Taiwan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Russia.

China’s claim: It says the map is based on its “historical and legal rights,” and that it is part of its patriotic education. 

🗺️ What’s on the map?

• Arunachal Pradesh: This is a state in northeast India that China calls “South Tibet.” China claims the whole state as part of its territory, and has given Chinese names to some of its places.

• Taiwan: This one was expected. China considers a rebel province that must be reunited with the mainland by force if needed.

• Senkaku Islands: These are a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea that are controlled by Japan but claimed by China and Taiwan.

• Bolshoy Ussuriysky Island: The map includes a small part of Russia’s territory near the border river. This area was shared by Russia and China after a territorial settlement in 2008. However, the map claims the entire area as China’s.

• South China Sea: This is a sea that borders several Southeast Asian countries, like Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia and the Philippines. China claims almost all of the sea as its own, using a “nine-dash line” that circles most of the sea.

  • The sea is strategically important as it has many islands, reefs and resources that are disputed by different countries.

🇷🇺 Claiming Russia as well?

Russia hasn’t commented on the map yet.

It seems like Putin is not in the position to complain about China eating away at Russia’s land.

Dark side of online romance: 88 arrested

88 Chinese fraudsters were busted in Indonesia for running a phone and online scam that preyed on people in China. Using fake profiles and elaborate stories, they conned their victims into sending them money.

They fled to Indonesia after China cracked down on their network.

📞 How the scam worked

• The scammers operated from a shophouse in an industrial park on Batam island near Singapore.

• They used internet calls and social media to prey on their victims, mostly fellow Chinese.

• Masquerading as lovers, investors, or officials in need of money for various reasons, they used emotional manipulation and persuasion to swindle their victims into transferring money to them.

🔥 What’s next

The Indonesian police are still hot on the case, investigating whether any Indonesian victims were caught in the crossfire. They’re also working hand-in-hand with the Chinese security ministry.

If no Indonesian victims are found, the suspects will be deported to face charges in China.

Quick updates

🇷🇺 Russia:

The Kremlin says the quiet part out loud. It says Prigozhin’s death may have been a “deliberate wrongdoing” but continues to deny any involvement. It has also rejected an international investigation, saying that they will find out the “different versions” of what happened.

🇵🇰 Pakistan:

Former PM Khan’s freedom short-lived. Despite getting corruption conviction suspended and receiving bail, his stay in prison has been extended for two more weeks. Why? Due to his alleged leaking of a secret document.

🇺🇸 United States:

🚫 Biden bans Nvidia’s AI chips from the Middle East. The US is putting his foot down on Nvidia’s AI chips, fearing they could fall into the wrong hands. The company now needs a permit to sell its products to certain customers in the region. Will this move hurt Nvidia’s business and innovation?

🇰🇵 North Korea:

North Korea nukes South Korea in a drill. The regime launched two missiles and a mock “scorched-earth” nuclear strike on its southern neighbor, in response to the US deploying strategic bombers to the region as part of US-led drills.

🇬🇦 Gabon:

Gabon’s new ruler. After placing its reelected President Ali Bongo Ondimba under house arrest, coup leaders announced Gen. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema as the new leader of the country. They blame the Bongo dynasty for embezzlement, while claiming they are restoring democracy.