Voice of America Chinese Broadcast (July 1, 2026)
The program reported on the progress of the US envoy's arrival in Doha and the continued regional dialogue between the US and Iran through mediators; Russia's attack on Ukraine resulted in at least 12 deaths and 40 injuries, while Ukraine attacked a Russian satellite communications center. The program also introduced US public opinion concerns about the China threat, Hong Kong's activities for the 250th anniversary of American independence, China-Japan trade control disputes, Taiwan's tabletop exercise against a maritime blockade, and Australia's signing of an economic and security cooperation agreement with Vanuatu.
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U.S. envoys Wittikoff and Kushner arrived in Doha on June 30th and will meet with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Al Thani and other mediators to continue regional dialogue on the memorandum of understanding reached with Iran.
A senior U.S. government official said that U.S. envoys and Iranian representatives are expected to participate in technical talks hosted by Qatari and Pakistani mediators separately on Wednesday. President Trump said Monday that the Doha talks were requested by Iran. This comes after Iran launched its first drone attack on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz on June 25th, triggering an escalation of armed hostilities in the Persian Gulf and prompting a U.S. military response. Trump told reporters at the White House that the Doha meeting might be important or might not be important, and we will wait and see.
Meanwhile, Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Ansari said at a press conference in Doha that the talks with President Trump's special envoy would cover regional issues of concern, including negotiations concerning Iran and the issue of Lebanon. Ansari pointed out that technical talks between U.S. and Iranian experts have been ongoing since they began last week in Lucerne, Switzerland, and communication channels remain open.
Ansari also confirmed that Qatar holds $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds, which have not yet been transferred to the Iranian regime and are subject to a 2023 agreement. The agreement stipulates that these funds are to be used to purchase humanitarian supplies.
Iran confirmed that it will send representatives to Qatar this week and insists that there are no plans for direct talks with U.S. envoys. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tuesday that talks with Qatari officials would involve the implementation of the interim peace agreement signed with the United States, including the release of Iran's frozen assets.
The death toll from Russia's attack on Ukraine rose to at least 12 on Tuesday, June 30th, with 40 others injured. Ukrainian President Zelensky called Monday's attacks horrific. Ukraine also attacked a Russian satellite communications center near Moscow for the second time.
The deadliest attack on Monday occurred in the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro. Regional Governor Oleksandr Hanza said a Russian missile killed 6 people and injured 29. As of Tuesday morning, Hanza said the death toll had risen to 7. Other deadly attacks targeted cities such as Zaporizhzhia in the southeast and Kharkiv in the northeast.
Zelenskyy has once again called on Europe to accelerate the development of air defense systems. He said people need stronger protection against such heinous attacks. Europe must develop its own missile defense systems, including domestic air defense and missile systems, as actively as possible.
Ukraine's national energy company said that due to Russian attacks and high electricity demand during the heatwave, customers in eight regions lost power on Monday.
Zelenskyy said on the social media platform Telegram that Ukraine counterattacked on Tuesday, striking the Russian Dubno satellite communications center in the Moscow region for the second time.
He said, "Today, our long-range strikes in this war against Russia have once again reached the Dubno space communications center. This facility is more than 500 kilometers from the Ukrainian border and was also attacked last week."
Zelenskyy said that as part of the 40-day military operation he approved, Ukrainian forces have now attacked four similar Russian targets in the Moscow and Vladimir regions to pressure Russia to end the war.
Ukraine's long-range drone attacks on Russian oil refineries on Monday led to fuel shortages in Russia and spread further across the country. Russian President Putin acknowledged on Sunday that Ukraine's airstrikes had caused fuel shortages in some regions and said Russia was dealing with the situation.
A recent US poll shows that about 80% of Americans are concerned about multiple threats posed by China, including China's role in the fentanyl crisis, its ability to monitor US citizens, and its theft of US technology and unfair trade practices.
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute released the results of its 2026 Summer Survey on Americans' Views on Foreign Policy and National Security Issues on June 29. The poll was conducted from May 26 to June 3, with 1,555 respondents.
The survey found that among all regional issues, no issue unites Americans across partisan divides as much as China. Among the issues related to China's internal threats to the US, 82% of respondents listed China's role in the flow of fentanyl into the US as their top concern, 81% were concerned about the Chinese government's ability to monitor US citizens, 80% were concerned about China's purchase of US land, and 79% were concerned about China's theft of US technology and unfair trade practices.
The US Consulate General in Hong Kong and Macau held an event to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence. In addition to US officials, Chinese and Hong Kong officials were also invited to attend.
From the classic Ford car displayed outside the venue to the US Marine Corps marching band inside, the reception celebrating the 250th anniversary of American Independence in Hong Kong exuded a strong American flair. More than 1,000 guests attended, including several senior government officials. The marching band from Eastern Michigan University performed, and for some students, it was their first time abroad.
US Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau, Julie E. Chung, emphasized the connection between the people of Hong Kong and the United States. She said that at least 250,000 Americans were born in Hong Kong, and many more Americans have roots here, including many present that evening.
Exhibits at the event showcased several historical moments, including a photo of US President Clinton meeting with Hong Kong's first Chief Executive, Tung Chee-hwa, in 1998, after Hong Kong's sovereignty was transferred from the UK to China.
Hong Kong Financial Secretary Paul Chan emphasized the commercial ties between the two places. He said that the number of American companies in Hong Kong increased from nearly 1,400 last year to 1,550.
US Consul General in Hong Kong and Macau, Julie E. Chung, stated that US-China relations are one of the most influential relationships in the world today. She said that the summit between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Trump in May set a direction for continued dialogue between the two sides despite challenges. US-China relations are not always smooth, and sometimes disagreements must be addressed and dialogue must take place on these issues, but that is precisely why it is so important to remain open, engage in constructive dialogue, and communicate on a people-to-people basis.
Attendees came from all walks of life. One participant said it was a great event that allowed Americans, Americans in Hong Kong, and Hong Kong locals to interact with each other and meet people from around the world, embodying people-to-people connections. Another participant said that China is stronger than ever, universities are stronger than ever, and now is the time to find new common goals and missions, because no one is leaving here.
The celebration brought American culture to Hong Kong. Chung said that the focus for the future will be to continue to serve as a bridge and promote people-to-people exchanges.
The Great American Week Expo kicked off on June 25th in the U.S. capital, featuring 150 exhibition areas representing all 56 U.S. states and territories.
There were jazz and juggling performances, as well as a cheerful hula hoop dancer. Visitors from all over the United States and from all age groups flocked to the U.S. capital to attend the Great American Week Expo and celebrate the upcoming 250th anniversary of the nation's founding on July 4th.
One visitor said that the 250th anniversary of the nation's founding happens only once in a lifetime, so they made a special trip to attend the opening day of the expo. Coincidentally, it was also their birthday that day, making it a double celebration.
Dozens of exhibition halls and interactive experience projects were spread across the National Mall, comprehensively showcasing all aspects of American history and culture. Inside the Freedom Truck, visitors could experience what the voice of George Washington, the first president of the United States, might have sounded like. Outside the exhibition hall, visitors could also learn about some of the early groundbreaking engineering and technological achievements of the United States.
In the Innovation Pavilion, visitors could explore some of America's greatest innovations. One visitor said, "This is my first time visiting, and so far, it feels great and very interesting. There's SpaceX, and many similar companies, and I also saw an exhibition area related to motorcycles." Another visitor said, "More events like this should be held to celebrate America, American history, and its future direction."
Another participant said that the event demonstrated people's pride in their country. In addition to industrial exhibition areas, there were also booths from several federal agencies to help visitors learn about relevant programs and services.
The expo also featured exhibition areas from all U.S. states and territories, each displaying symbolic items to represent their unique characteristics. One exhibitor said, "All the states have done an excellent job, showcasing a lot about their respective states, including the different products they produce and the features that make them unique, which is precisely what makes America unique."
A visitor to the Colorado state exhibit said that if they were to introduce Colorado to someone, this would be a great window, because as soon as you walk in, it feels like you are in Colorado, and even the fresh scent of pine trees seems authentic.
An old-fashioned carousel and a giant Ferris wheel attracted children of all ages. For art lovers, artist Scott LoBardo was creating a live-drawn painting on-site. He said he was painting what he considers the greatest work of art in human history, the Stars and Stripes, the American flag. "It is the most recognizable, most beautiful, sometimes sexy, and at the same time, the most powerful and impactful work of art in the world."
In the exhibit honoring American workers, a steelworker hoped to remind the nation that it was people like him who built America. He said, "Everyone recognizes the logo of the Pittsburgh Steelers, but it is also a symbol of the American steel industry."
The Great American Week Expo was organized by Freedom 250, one of many organizations nationwide planning various events to commemorate this historic milestone.
As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, renowned Stanford University military scholar Victor Davis Hanson reflected on early U.S.-China relations in an interview. He said that the founding values of the United States are universal and transcend borders.
Hanson said that the institutional design at the time of America's founding was universal, reflecting humanity's pursuit of freedom, a pursuit that transcends borders, races, and religions. This also explains why Americans had an idealized impression of China early on, viewing it as an ancient civilization. Americans initially encountered and learned about China through the British, knowing that the Chinese had invented gunpowder and many other inventions that were very advanced.
Hanson said that the United States has never been a colonial power, unlike European countries such as France, Britain, the Netherlands, Portugal, or Spain, which had overseas colonies and no history of colonial rule. While many missionaries did go to China at the time, their purpose was not to plunder the country, regardless of what they did.
We had many Chinese immigrants, and U.S.-China relations were very good until the end of World War II. Then communism emerged, and Mao Zedong became the greatest killer in the history of the regime, resulting in the deaths of 70 million people. We also indirectly fought them in Korea, and by 1953, the Chinese army was still the main force of the Korean military, so the initial relationship between the U.S. and China was not very good.
Hanson said that people see this as a regrettable thing. Americans have a natural sympathy for the Chinese people, which is somewhat similar to the situation in Iran. As long as the Maoist government is in power, we will not be friendly with China. The best case scenario is to establish a workable relationship, avoid direct conflict, and not interfere in each other's internal affairs.
Hanson said that many Americans are very concerned about the 300,000 to 320,000 Chinese students studying here, and also concerned about Chinese people buying farmland in the United States. The American people want reciprocity: if China has a trade surplus, we want a trade surplus; if China has 300,000 students and the US only has 10,000 students in China, then China should only have 10,000 students; if the US cannot buy farmland in China, they should not buy it here; if they send balloons to our country for reconnaissance, then we should do the same.
Hanson said that these are what Americans are asking for, not to have an advantage or to dominate. However, they now believe that China is exploiting this relationship due to its good propaganda and its position as a rising global power.
When the stock market closed on Tuesday, the Dow Jones Industrial Average rose 0.26%, the S&P 500 rose 0.79%, and the tech-heavy Nasdaq Composite rose 1.52%.
Following China's announcement on June 29th that it would add another 40 Japanese entities to its trade control list, the Japanese government issued a strong protest, condemning the measures as unacceptable and expressing extreme regret.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce announced that it had added 20 Japanese entities to its dual-use item export control list, prohibiting Chinese exporters from selling them dual-use goods that could have military applications, while also prohibiting overseas organizations and individuals from transferring or providing dual-use items originating from China to the aforementioned entities.
Entities on the control list include several subsidiaries of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Japan's largest defense contractor, as well as related subsidiaries of Mitsubishi Electric and Kawasaki Heavy Industries, and the Japan Institute of International Affairs. Dual-use items refer to goods that have both civilian and potential military uses, including rare earth elements used in the manufacture of motors and magnets, machine tools, batteries, and semiconductor manufacturing equipment.
Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Terada stated at a press conference that Japan had lodged a stern protest with China and demanded the revocation of the measures. He added that the Japanese government would take necessary countermeasures after a comprehensive assessment of the scope and impact of the controls. He also referred to China's announcements in January and February of this year to strengthen export controls, stating that measures targeting only Japan were a stark departure from international practice.
According to Kyodo News, sources in the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs pointed out that Beijing's strengthening of controls is expected to continue in the future. Given China's accusations that Japan is strengthening its defenses and engaging in new militarism, this person suggested that this might be a signal to companies involved in strengthening defense that countermeasures will be taken.
On the same day, the Chinese Ministry of Commerce added another 20 Japanese entities to its list of dual-use item watchlisted entities. Entities on the watch list are not subject to direct export bans, but exporters must submit risk assessment reports and written commitments certifying that the dual-use items will not be used to enhance Japan's military capabilities.
Entities on the watch list include drone manufacturer TeraJone, nuclear fuel processing companies, and specialized equipment manufacturer Mitsui.
Beijing has characterized these actions as necessary to curb Japan's so-called new militarism. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce stated that since adding 20 entities under Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, IHI Corporation, and Kawasaki Heavy Industries to the control list in February of this year, Japan has not only failed to reflect but has instead intensified its efforts, continuing to pursue remilitarization, deploy offensive weapons, and launch missiles abroad.
Sino-Japanese relations have deteriorated since the end of last year. In November last year, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi stated in parliament that if China were to take military action against Taiwan, the situation might meet the criteria for a "state of existential crisis" under Japan's security legislation, and Japan might exercise its right to collective self-defense. This statement triggered a strong backlash from Beijing, which subsequently implemented a series of pressure measures, including reducing the number of flights to Japan, advising Chinese tourists to avoid traveling to Japan, and restricting exports of heavy rare earth resources crucial to Japan's manufacturing industry.
Just days before the announcement of the export control measures this week, Chinese authorities detained two Japanese citizens on suspicion of smuggling banned goods. On the same day that the Ministry of Commerce announced the export controls, the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force announced the deployment of Type 12 surface-to-ship missile launchers on Minami Torishima Island, Japan's southernmost remote island. Analysts believe this move is a direct response to China's expanding military activities in the Pacific.
China's Ministry of Commerce emphasized that the current control measures are only aimed at a few Japanese entities and that the relevant controls are only for dual-use items, which will not affect normal Sino-Japanese economic and trade exchanges. Japanese companies operating legally and compliantly do not need to worry. China's Ministry of Commerce urges Japan to abandon its wrong path, change its erroneous actions, and truly reflect and return to the right track.
These control measures are the latest manifestation of Beijing's long-term strategy of using its dominant position in critical mineral supply chains as a tool for geopolitical pressure for many years.
Taiwanese officials held a tabletop exercise on June 25 to simulate various scenarios of China imposing a maritime blockade around Taiwan.
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory, has never renounced the use of force against Taiwan, and continues to increase its military harassment, frequently dispatching military aircraft and vessels to operate around Taiwan. The Taiwanese government is increasingly concerned about Beijing's potential use of non-military means of pressure, including using its coast guard to enforce jurisdiction over maritime transport around Taiwan.
Earlier this month, the Chinese Coast Guard began conducting what it called law enforcement patrols in waters east of Taiwan. Subsequently, China's Ministry of Transport organized so-called special maritime traffic law enforcement and survey operations, citing Japan and the Philippines' launch of bilateral maritime boundary negotiations. The ministry later stated that during the operation, 198 vessels were inspected, and violations were corrected for 3 vessels.
These maritime law enforcement actions have not only been condemned by Taiwan but have also raised concerns in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and France. The four countries' representative offices in Taiwan issued statements separately and jointly this week, accusing Beijing of undermining regional stability and threatening freedom of navigation and international shipping safety.
Taiwan's Presidential Office's Social Defense Resilience Committee held a tabletop exercise on China's maritime coercion scenarios on Thursday. Lee Wen, Deputy Secretary-General of the National Security Council, stated that the exercise simulated a scenario where the Chinese Coast Guard announced that ships entering and exiting Taiwanese ports must complete declarations through China's single window for international trade, and gradually took measures such as inspection, boarding, search, and seizure of vessels, systematically disrupting Taiwan's maritime transport and supply.
Lee Wen pointed out in the report on the tabletop exercise results that the exercise examined capabilities in cross-ministerial coordination, transport and supply of energy and essential goods, intelligence gathering, communication with merchant and cargo ships, and maritime law enforcement and necessary deterrence, from three aspects: gray zone threats at sea, high-intensity maritime coercion, and security maintenance for the reception and transshipment of materials.
Lee Wen said that 11 government ministries and agencies participated in this exercise. During the process, coast guard personnel strengthened frontline law enforcement and response. The Ministry of National Defense expressed opposition to any act of changing the status quo by force or coercion, and the military recalled all personnel for immediate combat readiness exercises and raised the alert level. All ministries and agencies comprehensively strengthened resilience preparedness to maintain the normal operation of government and social services.
In terms of countering cognitive warfare and external strategic communication, Lee Wen stated that departments such as Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ocean Affairs Council, and Ministry of National Defense firmly expressed their stance on defending Taiwan's sovereignty during the exercise, emphasizing that illegal boarding and inspection violate international law and infringe upon freedom of navigation, while countering China's actions of using various public opinions to attempt to change the status quo and undermine regional peace.
At a press conference after the exercise, Lee Wen was asked if the exercise referred to the recent experience of the Strait of Hormuz blockade. He said that the situation in the Strait of Hormuz highlights the fragility of international commercial cargo transport, and even without a full blockade, various scenarios can impact international shipping. The cargo volume in the Taiwan Strait is actually far greater than that in the Strait of Hormuz, and any gray zone harassment would inevitably have a significant impact on the international economic and trade order.
Lee Wen stated that Taiwan has long faced military and non-military threats. On the one hand, it must strengthen its self-defense capabilities and expand investment in asymmetric warfare capabilities, including drones. On the other hand, it must also enhance the resilience of the entire society's defense, and policy preparedness across all ministries and agencies is crucial, including establishing a two-way communication mechanism with surrounding merchant and fishing vessels to promptly guide ships to evacuate dangerous waters.
Australia and the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu signed an economic and security cooperation agreement called the Nakamaal Agreement in Canberra. The two countries signed the agreement on June 29.
The key provisions of the agreement include that Vanuatu's territory shall not be used to establish any foreign military bases, and any investment by a third party in Vanuatu's critical infrastructure requires consultation with Australia. In addition, Australia will provide 500 million Australian dollars in financial assistance to Vanuatu over 10 years. The agreement also stipulates that Australia will continue to be Vanuatu's preferred security and policing partner.
According to a press release published on his official website by Australian Prime Minister Albanese, Albanese stated at a press conference that this agreement reflects and confirms Australia's position as Vanuatu's largest and most comprehensive partner in the economic, security, and development fields. Most importantly, the agreement consolidates a consensus between the two countries that security is a shared responsibility.
Albanese pointed out that the agreement clearly reflects Vanuatu's sovereign decision not to allow its territory to be used for any foreign military bases or military infrastructure, and ensures that Vanuatu's critical infrastructure is protected from militarization.
Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai stated at a joint press conference on Monday that the Vanuatu Parliament has passed legislation explicitly prohibiting the use of critical infrastructure for any military purposes. Salwai also revealed that Vanuatu is in negotiations with China for a separate economic agreement, which is still awaiting approval from Beijing.