2025年4月17日，星期四，第1228期

中方暂停接收波音飞机，不仅打击了美国硕果仅存的制造业，更是对其相应服务业及金融稳定的“精准狙击”

【媒体报道】

4月16日，根据中国和埃及军队共识，4月中旬至5月上旬，中国人民解放军空军将派分队赴埃及举行中埃“文明之鹰-2025”空军联合训练。这是中埃两军首次组织联训，对推动两军务实合作、增进两军友谊互信具有重要意义。

4月17日，有俄罗斯专家在接受媒体采访时表示，中国航空公司禁止购买波音飞机的禁令给美国波音公司带来巨大的财政损失，如果再持续半年以上的话，波音公司每年的损失可能会达到100亿到150亿美元。

【讨论纪要】

●搂草打兔子——不仅打击了美国硕果仅存的制造业，更是对其相应服务业及金融稳定的“精准狙击”

在展开本期讨论前，我们首先就中国宣布暂停接收波音飞机、零部件及设备一事做一些内容补充。

在我们看来，这首先意味着，中国商飞的C919或已经准备好应对美方（目前C919使用的LEAPX发动机，由法国赛峰和美国GE合作生产）随时断供发动机的全面准备。中国宣布暂停接收中国宣布暂停接收波音飞机、零部件及设备也内嵌了另一组强烈信号——在以后波音从事的生产中，无论是民用还是军用，其再也无法从中国获得各个层面的供应链支持，包括各类零部件，尤其是涉及“三稀金属”（稀有、稀散、稀土）的零部件。

波音不仅涉及民用飞行器的制造，更涉及军用飞行器的制造，尽管其经营越来越依赖虚拟经济，但仍算得上美国硕果仅存的主要从事实体制造的行业（另一个是芯片业，典型代表就是英特尔）。

早在4月4日，根据《中华人民共和国出口管制法》等有关法律法规，商务部会同海关总署发布关于对钐、钆、铽、镝、镥、钪、钇等7类中重稀土相关物项实施出口管制措施的公告，显然，这一内嵌于暂停接收波音飞机、零部件及设备事件中的“强烈信号”，将这一出口管制措施对美国仅存制造业的致命打击效果凸显了出来，尤其在中、重稀土制品针对“军民两用物项”这一点上。要知道，三稀金属，尤其是中、重稀土的主要储量、提炼技术和成品加工全都掌握在中国手上

需要补充的是，尽管中美贸易战早在特朗普第一任期的时候就已经开始，其间，中美双方互有“卡脖子”的情况，但总体而言，双方出于自身存在的弱点（比如，金属铼，对中国来说就是一个美国可以“卡脖子”的弱点）以及互相都需要的某些刚性需求，事态并未发展到“一次性下死手”的地步。大家更多是在相互一点一点进行试探。这也是中国外交部、商务部针对中美贸易战，始终坚持“没有赢家、两败俱伤”这一基本态度的主要原因之一。

现在，在中国宣布暂停接收波音飞机、零部件及设备后，显然，向方方面面传递了面对特朗普政府针对世界，尤其是中国发动“关税战”之“亡我之心不死”的险恶图谋，中国决心坚决反制，对波音“下了死手”，无非就是几千架波音飞机就此作废。

当然，在“无非就是几千架波音飞机就此作废”这句话的背后，中国是做足了准备和功课的，并非意气用事。

举一个例子说明，既然中国的“运20”（“涡扇-20”）已经翱翔于蓝天，以此为基础，研制我国大飞机使用的民用发动机还有什么难度？需要补充的是，“运20”是我国自主研发的，具有自主知识产权（包括加工、材料、航电等）的涡喷大型运输机。要知道，大型运输机的制造难度比民用大飞机更难。军用运输机的使用条件要比民用苛刻的多得多。以空客为例，虽然其能制造A350、A380，但无法制造涡喷运输机，只能制造涡桨运输机。全球能够制造大型涡喷运输机的只有三家，中国，美国和俄罗斯。当然，民航客机在舒适性上比军用要好很多。且以乘客为主的运输和以商品为主的运输在安全方面的要求也有不同。

近日，国产大飞机C919的“心脏”国产化进程迎来重大突破。在江苏太仓刚刚结束的2025第九届商用航空发动机技术大会上，中国航发集团董事史坚忠透露，为C919配套的“长江-1000”发动机“试运行表现远超预期”，他补充道，这款发动机的成功将体现中国供应链的韧性。至于航电系统，那是中国的强项，自然不在话下。有了这些核心技术储备，搞C929（是我国首款按照国际通行适航标准自行研制、具有自主知识产权的喷气式远程宽体客机）自然水到渠成。退一步说，即便中美市场隔绝、脱钩断链，中国完全可以依靠自己的技术积累和强大的工业制造能力对这几千架波音飞机进行维护，比如，顺丰航空近日宣布，他们顺利成功完成了编号为B-2506波音飞机的龙骨梁裂纹的修复工作。之所以原来没有这样干，更多受到的是合同的约束。

说到合同的约束，这里顺便提一句所谓欧美高科技公司的赚钱方式，其中之一就是收取昂贵的技术服务费。在他们看来，虽然飞机、超算和盾构机之类的购买是一次性的，但售后维修则是多次的，对他们来说这就是“印钞机”，就是“摇钱树”。以波音为例，尽管其经营越来越依赖虚拟经济，但基于其产品，无论是民用还是军用（世界范围内存量很大）都已经形成的某种垄断性，其仍可通过收取昂贵的技术服务费产生的现金流去炒股赚钱。值得一提的是，服务费本身就是虚拟经济，而以此为基础再去炒股那就是“虚上加虚”，这就是美国经济现状的一个缩影。但话说回来，没有售前，何来售后？完全没有制造业是不行的。这次暂停接收波音飞机事件中，中国就瞄准售前，尤其是售后产生的多层次金融衍生进行打击”。

类似的打击还有美国农业。现在这些“特朗普们”，也就是曾经投票给特朗普的美国农场主们开始大骂特朗普让他们无法生产，更无从赚钱。还有一个例子就是马斯克，其在特朗普开始关税战的时候没有吱声，而在中国对美国全面犀利反击并造成美国金融市场上蹿下跳后，在自己的股票短期内大幅缩水后，马斯克开始公开反对特朗普的关税政策。有趣的是，当西方媒体注意到中国外交部发言人毛宁引用的毛主席关于抗美援朝的视频后，认定这次中国是玩真的。这次中国的犀利反击打得特朗普政府措手不及，关税战短时间内迅速脱稿。

所以，从这个角度来观察，中国宣布暂停接收波音飞机、零部件及设备，不仅打击了美国硕果仅存的制造业，更是对其相应服务业及金融稳定的“精准狙击”。

●美国现在认怂还来得及，否则，假以时日，当国际社会认为不允许美国认怂的好处远远大于允许的时候，恐怕美国悔之晚矣

在继续展开讨论前，我们再来看一则新闻报道。

4月16日，前美国总统国家安全事务助理沙利文在一场活动中抨击了特朗普政府的对华政策。沙利文表示，加征关税导致了贸易争端加剧等一系列负面后果，未能准确平衡美国的中期利益。他说，那些用零和思维看待中美关系的人，没有认识到两国关系的复杂性和长期发展轨迹。他还认为，中国不会像苏联那样崩溃，中美将继续共存，长期保持一种可控竞争状态，双方要避免冲突，创造合作机会。

我们对沙利文的观点表示基本赞同，看来，沙利文辞职后要比辞职前变得明智了不少。而近期，与沙利文的表现类似的还有美国前国务卿布林肯、美国前财长耶伦等。我们也搞不太懂，美国政客和技术官僚们“台上说假话，台下说真话；台上不专业，台下很专业”是如何做到的。难道他们从中国相声行业“台上无大小，台下立规矩”的说法中得到了某种启发？

这种奇怪的现象也许我们能够从美国白宫新闻发言人卡罗琳·莱维特的身上找到答案——4月14日，中国驻巴萨总领事张志昇在社交媒体上发文并配图表示：攻击中国制造是工作，享受中国制造是生活。裙子上漂亮的蕾丝，被一家中国公司的员工认出是他们公司生产的产品（此前，有网友贴图表示，白宫新闻发言人卡罗琳·莱维特曾穿了英国品牌Self-Portrait的服装，而在相关商品详情页可以明显看到“Made in China”字样。还有中国服装公司员工留言称：我们厂织的，我们厂染的，我对的色）

当然，在美国民主党人，包括美国前总统拜登、前国务卿布林肯、前总统安全事务助理沙利文、前财长耶伦等纷纷现身，不再沉默的背后，除了特朗普阵营内部的矛盾分歧不断加深且开始公开化之外，另一个主要原因就在于，中国第一个、第一时间对特朗普政府的“关税战”进行全面犀利反击，也给了特朗普和“特朗普们”在美国内部的，代言西方资本利益的美国资本利益内部的，甚至西方阵营内部的敌人们躲在中国后面朝特朗普政府“开枪放炮”的绝佳机会。

需要强调的是，中方从来认为贸易战没有赢家。执意挥舞“关税大棒”的不是中国，而是特朗普政府。现在，美国媒体集体攻击的也是特朗普政府，不仅没有一个国家如特朗普政府所愿的那样和美国谈判关税问题，而且特朗普口中的“中国一定会打来的电话”更是鬼影子都没有。最为讽刺的是，美国金融市场开始更多倾听中国人民银行的声音而不是美联储。所以，美国现在认怂还来得及，时间还有，毕竟，中国是负责任的大国。否则，假以时日，当国际社会认为不允许美国认怂的好处远远大于允许的时候，恐怕美国悔之晚矣。

●既然美国叫嚣要在中国周边地区搞事情，那我们就先下手为强，瞄着美国全球战略之重中之重的中东地区狠狠“插上一刀”

为了更好展开讨论，我们再来看一则新闻报道。

根据中国和埃及军队共识，4月中旬至5月上旬，中国人民解放军空军将派分队赴埃及举行中埃“文明之鹰-2025”空军联合训练。这是中埃两军首次组织联训，对推动两军务实合作、增进两军友谊互信具有重要意义。

在我们的观察与评估中，大家不妨将这条新闻放在美印太司令帕帕罗叫嚣中国周边地区爆发战争可能性激增的背景下加以观察。在我们看来，在中国周边地区，美方可能挑事儿地方，按照可能性评估从高到低排列分别是：南海方向的菲律宾，东北亚方向的朝鲜半岛，中国台湾省。这是特朗普政府“关税战”惨败背景下，企图通过将中美“摊牌”氛围从非传统安全层面向传统安全层面外溢继续对国际社会进行极限战略讹诈的最新变化。对此，国际社会当然不会听之任之！在具体行动方面，除了近期频繁在黄渤海区域举行的军事演习外，恐怕就有这次中埃两军首次联训。

据外网消息，在4月15日有来自中国的至少5架“运20”和1架“空警500”飞往了埃及，中经在迪拜经停加油。

大家记忆中对“运20”大规模组团远程机动的可能还是2022年4月我空军连续四天出动22架次“运20”，跨越7000余公里向塞尔维亚直接军运交付FK-3防空导弹系统及无人机。在我们看来，这次我军前往中东地区重要国家埃及的过程中，很可能类似此前我军前往白俄罗斯（“雄鹰突击-2024”），运过去了一些涉及电子战、信息战、军事作战体系等方面的装备。

大家知道，埃及原本是一个“欧美共管”，且俄罗斯有重大影响的国家，显然，中国军方这次前往中东地区重要国家埃及，就是本着“我不愿意，你们谁也请不去；我愿意，你们谁也阻拦不了”的精神，瞄着打破旧有平衡“注入变量”去的。

值得一提的是，就在4月16日，以色列国防部长伊斯雷尔·卡茨狂妄叫嚣，以军将无限期留在加沙地带、黎巴嫩和叙利亚所谓的安全区。其通过兼并周边地区国家，如，叙利亚、黎巴嫩和巴勒斯坦构建所谓“大以色列”的图谋昭然若揭。

在我们看来，内塔尼亚胡“小集团”的倒行逆施彻底得罪了中东地区的方方面面，包括在中东地区有着越来越大利益关注的欧盟。显然，内塔尼亚胡“小集团”是紧抓特朗普政府内忧外困之“大好时机”，为达到自己不被政治清算，永保“江山稳固”的政治图谋争分夺秒，丝毫不理会国际社会的强烈反对和联合国宪章的相关条款，为非作歹，肆意妄为。讽刺的是，在我们的评估中，对于如此贪恣暴虐的内塔尼亚胡，特朗普虽然恨在心里，但终究无能为力。尤其在当前特朗普政府内焦外困，更不敢轻易得罪美国内部支持内塔尼亚胡“小集团”势力的背景下更是如此。甚至在以色列看来，是美国就伊朗核问题处理得很烂、对不起以色列在先。

而在埃及这个与本轮巴以冲突利益攸关的中东主要国家眼中，甚至在以沙特为首的海湾阿拉伯国家的默认下，引入中国力量以维护埃及主权和核心利益是非常必要的。对中国来说，既然美国叫嚣要在中国周边地区搞事情，那我们就先下手为强，瞄着美国全球战略之重中之重的中东地区狠狠“插上一刀”！不难想象的是，如果埃及从西方之外的什么地方获得了比西方更为先进的军事装备、军事手段，必将对以色列产生切实的军事威慑。这对于本就一只脚已经踩进“陷阱”的美国中东政策而言绝非幸事！

●特朗普似乎比之以往更希望缓和与中国的关系

话说，特朗普政府上任已经快100天了，无论在外交层面，还是在内政层面，未能取得任何进展，反而使得美国国家利益受损连连，自身处境持续恶化。尤其在特朗普政府针对世界，针对中国发动“关税战”基本以失败告终之后，美国基于软实力层面的损失可谓空前绝后。尤其体现在美国金融市场在预期问题上越来越多开始倾听中国人民银行而非美联储上。

换言之，特朗普把事情办砸了，金融市场的预期很复杂。也就是说，美国的金融市场在中美关系恶化的情况下，预期很难像以前那样引导。而美联储现在显然不能公开大规模启动印钞机，因为风险实在是太大。所以，特朗普似乎比之以往更希望缓和与中国的关系。

我们注意到，近日，有美媒披露称，是特朗普亲自阻止马斯克听取“对华作战简报”，而且还飙脏话。

在我们看来，特朗普通过多次迅速“辟谣”，显然是想要规避某种“致命陷阱”。全世界都知道马斯克和中国关系紧密，马斯克在中国更有大量投资，如果马斯克就这样进入五角大楼的最机密决策场所，马斯克以后还能去中国吗？或者说马斯克去了中国能保证不泄密吗？这让我们想起了《水浒传》中林冲被高俅陷害，诱入白虎节堂的故事。而在特朗普看来，在其访华行程正变得越来越急迫的背景下，在美国前财长保尔森访华基本以失败告终的背景下，保住马斯克的“访华合理性”似乎比之以往更加重要。

由此大家也不难看出，特朗普和“特朗普们”的对头冤家们给马斯克设下如此陷阱的核心意图究竟是什么。基于此，也基于目前特朗普政府的处境，在我们看来， 在美国媒体突然再次披露特朗普亲自阻止马斯克听取“对华作战简报”之相关细节的情况来看，也许特朗普再次动了，万不得已，动用马斯克这枚“棋子”充当第三拨说客尽快淘换一张进京“机票”的心思。当然，作为另一个观察指标，如果近期，在特朗普政府中毫无存在感的美国国务卿卢比奥离奇辞职，那这种可能性就会变得更大。

声明：具体内容如有出入，请以“东方时事解读”音频为准。

Thursday, April 17, 2025, Issue No. 1228

China Suspends Boeing Aircraft Purchases: A Precision Strike on U.S. Manufacturing, Services, and Financial Stability

[Media Coverage]

On April 16, in accordance with the consensus between the Chinese and Egyptian militaries, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) will dispatch a delegation to Egypt from mid-April to early May to conduct the China-Egypt "Eagle of Civilization-2025" joint air force exercise. This marks the first joint training between the two militaries and holds significant importance in advancing pragmatic cooperation and deepening mutual trust and friendship.

On April 17, a Russian expert stated in a media interview that the Chinese airlines’ ban on purchasing Boeing aircraft has caused substantial financial losses for the U.S. company. If the ban persists for over six months, Boeing could face annual losses of $10–15 billion.

【Discussion Summary】

● "Killing Two Birds with One Stone" – Not Only Strikes at the U.S.’s Last Remaining Manufacturing Pillar but Also Delivers a Precision Blow to Its Related Services and Financial Stability

Before delving into this week’s discussion, let’s first provide additional context regarding China’s announcement to suspend the reception of Boeing aircraft, parts, and equipment.

In our view, this move first signals that COMAC’s C919 is likely fully prepared to handle any potential engine supply disruptions from the U.S. (The C919 currently uses LEAPX engines, co-produced by France’s Safran and the U.S.’s GE). Moreover, China’s suspension of Boeing-related imports also conveys a strong message: in future Boeing productions—whether civilian or military—China will no longer provide supply chain support at any level, including various parts, particularly those involving "rare, dispersed, and rare earth metals" (three types of critical resources).

Boeing is not only involved in civilian aircraft manufacturing but also military aircraft. Although its business increasingly relies on the virtual economy, it remains one of the last major U.S. industries engaged in physical manufacturing (the other being the semiconductor industry, exemplified by Intel).

On April 4, in accordance with the *Export Control Law of the People’s Republic of China* and other relevant laws, the Ministry of Commerce, in conjunction with the General Administration of Customs, announced export control measures for seven categories of medium and heavy rare earth materials, including samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium. This move, embedded within the broader context of the Boeing suspension, underscores the fatal blow to the U.S.’s remaining manufacturing sector, particularly regarding "dual-use" items for both civilian and military purposes. It’s worth noting that China holds a near-monopoly on the reserves, refining technology, and finished product processing of rare earth metals, especially medium and heavy rare earths.

It’s important to add that while the U.S.-China trade war began during Trump’s first term, with both sides engaging in mutual "chokehold" tactics, the situation generally did not escalate to a point of no return due to each side’s vulnerabilities (e.g., rhenium, a critical weakness for China that the U.S. could exploit) and mutual dependencies. Both nations were more inclined to probe each other incrementally. This cautious approach is one reason why China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Commerce have consistently emphasized that "no one wins in a trade war; both sides suffer."

However, with China’s recent suspension of Boeing aircraft imports, it has clearly signaled its determination to counteract the Trump administration’s relentless "tariff war" aimed at undermining China. By delivering a decisive blow to Boeing—essentially rendering thousands of Boeing aircraft obsolete—China has shown it is fully prepared and calculated in its actions, rather than acting impulsively.

For instance, with China’s Y-20 ("WS-20") already soaring in the skies, developing a civilian engine for its large aircraft is no longer a daunting challenge. It’s worth noting that the Y-20 is a domestically developed large military transport aircraft with full intellectual property rights, including in manufacturing, materials, and avionics. The production of large military transport aircraft is more challenging than civilian airliners, as they operate under far harsher conditions. For example, while Airbus can produce the A350 and A380, it cannot manufacture turbofan military transport aircraft, only turboprop ones. Globally, only three countries—China, the U.S., and Russia—can produce large turbofan military transport aircraft.

On the civilian side, while passenger comfort and safety requirements differ from military aircraft, China’s strong industrial base and technological reserves make it well-positioned to maintain and repair thousands of Boeing aircraft independently. For example, SF Airlines recently announced the successful repair of a B-2506 Boeing aircraft’s keel beam crack. The reason such actions weren’t taken earlier was primarily due to contractual obligations.

Speaking of contracts, it’s worth mentioning how Western high-tech companies, including U.S. firms, generate significant revenue through exorbitant technical service fees. While the initial sale of products like aircraft, supercomputers, or tunnel boring machines is a one-time transaction, maintenance services are recurring, effectively functioning as a "cash cow" or "money-printing machine." For Boeing, despite its growing reliance on the virtual economy, its monopoly in both civilian and military markets (with a vast global inventory) allows it to profit handsomely from technical service fees. These fees, a form of virtual economy, are then reinvested in stock trading—a quintessential example of the U.S. economy’s current state of "virtual upon virtual." However, without a robust manufacturing base, even the most lucrative services cannot sustain an economy.

China’s suspension of Boeing imports targets not only the pre-sale but also the multi-layered financial derivatives generated from post-sale services—a direct strike at the heart of the U.S. economy.

Similar tactics have been applied to U.S. agriculture. Many "Trump-supporting" American farmers are now complaining that Trump’s policies have made production unprofitable. Another example is Elon Musk, who remained silent during Trump’s tariff war but publicly opposed the policy after China’s sharp countermeasures caused significant volatility in U.S. financial markets and a sharp decline in his own stock value. Interestingly, when Western media noticed a video of Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning referencing Mao Zedong’s speeches on the Korean War, they concluded that China was serious this time. China’s decisive countermeasures caught the Trump administration off guard, forcing the U.S. to hastily adjust its tariff strategy.

From this perspective, China’s suspension of Boeing aircraft imports not only strikes at the U.S.’s last remaining manufacturing pillar but also delivers a precision blow to its related services and financial stability.

● The U.S. Can Still Back Down—But Time Is Running Out

If the U.S. backs down now, it might still avoid disaster. Otherwise, if the international community eventually decides that allowing the U.S. to back down is far more beneficial than permitting its continued belligerence, the U.S. may find itself too late to regret.

Before continuing, let’s take a look at another news report.

On April 16, Jake Sullivan, former U.S. National Security Advisor, criticized the Trump administration’s China policy during an event. He argued that tariffs exacerbated trade disputes and other negative consequences, failing to balance U.S. medium-term interests effectively. Sullivan stated that those who view U.S.-China relations through a zero-sum lens fail to grasp the complexity and long-term trajectory of the relationship. He also believes China won’t collapse like the Soviet Union, and the two nations will continue coexisting in a state of manageable competition. Both sides, he said, must avoid conflict and seek cooperation.

We largely agree with Sullivan’s views. It seems he has grown wiser since leaving office. Recently, similar shifts in tone have been observed among other former U.S. officials, such as former Secretary of State Antony Blinken and former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. One wonders how U.S. politicians and technocrats manage to "lie on stage but speak truth offstage" and "act unprofessionally in office but professionally behind the scenes." Could it be that they’ve drawn inspiration from Chinese xiangsheng (crosstalk) culture, where "anything goes on stage, but rules apply offstage"?

Perhaps the answer lies in Caroline Kennedy, White House Press Secretary, whose actions inadvertently reveal the truth. On April 14, Zhang Zhisheng, Chinese Consul General in Barcelona, posted on social media with a photo captioned: *"Attacking Chinese-made goods is work; enjoying them is life."* The photo showed a skirt with exquisite lace, later identified by an employee of a Chinese company as their product (previously, netizens had pointed out that Kennedy wore a dress from the British brand Self-Portrait, whose product page clearly stated "Made in China." A Chinese clothing company employee even commented: *"We wove it, we dyed it, and I matched the colors."*)

Of course, the sudden willingness of U.S. Democrats—including President Biden, Blinken, Sullivan, Yellen, and others—to speak out is not just due to deepening divisions within Trump’s camp. Another key reason is China’s swift and sharp counterattack against the Trump administration’s "tariff war." This gave Trump and his allies an opportunity to hide behind China while targeting the Trump administration—whether from within the U.S., Western capital interests, or even the broader Western bloc.

It’s worth emphasizing that China has always maintained that trade wars have no winners. The U.S., not China, insisted on wielding the "tariff stick." Now, U.S. media unanimously criticize the Trump administration, with no country willing to negotiate tariffs as Trump hoped. Worse, the "phone call from China" that Trump claimed would come has never materialized. Ironically, global financial markets now pay more attention to the People’s Bank of China than the Federal Reserve.

The U.S. can still back down—time remains. After all, China is a responsible major power. But if the international community eventually decides that allowing the U.S. to back down is more harmful than permitting its defiance, the U.S. may find itself too late to regret.

● If the U.S. Wants Trouble Near China, We’ll Strike First—Deep into Its Strategic Heartland: The Middle East

To further the discussion, let’s examine another news report.

According to a consensus between the Chinese and Egyptian militaries, the People’s Liberation Army Air Force will send a delegation to Egypt from mid-April to early May for the China-Egypt "Eagle of Civilization-2025" joint air exercise. This marks the first such drill between the two nations, significantly advancing military cooperation and mutual trust.

Observing this in the context of U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo’s recent threats about heightened war risks near China, it’s clear that the U.S. seeks to escalate tensions from non-traditional to traditional security domains—part of a strategy to blackmail the international community after its failed "tariff war." Naturally, the world won’t stand idly by.

Beyond recent military drills in the Bohai and Yellow Seas, this joint exercise with Egypt may signal a strategic shift. Reports indicate that at least five Chinese Y-20 transport aircraft and one KJ-500 early-warning plane flew to Egypt on April 15, refueling in Dubai.

Recall that in April 2022, China’s PLAAF conducted a record four-day operation, deploying 22 Y-20s over 7,000 km to deliver FK-3 air defense systems and drones to Serbia. This time, the mission to Egypt—like the "Eagle Strike-2024" exercise in Belarus—likely involved advanced electronic warfare, cyber, and combat system equipment.

Egypt, historically influenced by Western powers and Russia, is now a focal point for China’s strategic entry into the Middle East. By engaging Egypt, China effectively "injects a variable" into the region’s balance, much to the dismay of the U.S. and its allies.

Notably, on April 16, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant brazenly declared that Israeli forces would remain indefinitely in Gaza, Lebanon, and Syria, revealing plans for a so-called "Greater Israel" through annexation. Netanyahu’s clique has alienated not only the Middle East but also the EU, which has growing interests in the region. Their defiance of international law and UN charters—despite global condemnation—echoes Trump’s own isolation.

For Egypt, a key player in the Israel-Palestine conflict, and Gulf Arab states like Saudi Arabia, inviting Chinese support to safeguard sovereignty is a prudent move. If China provides Egypt with advanced military technology beyond Western capabilities, Israel will face tangible deterrence—a blow to the already faltering U.S. Middle East strategy.

● Trump Seems More Eager Than Ever to Ease Tensions with China

Nearly 100 days into his term, Trump has achieved little domestically or diplomatically, damaging U.S. interests and worsening his position. His failed "tariff war" against China and the world has caused unprecedented soft-power losses, evident in global markets increasingly heeding the PBOC over the Federal Reserve.

Trump’s mishandling of affairs has complicated financial market expectations. With the Fed unable to recklessly print money, Trump may now seek to mend ties with China.

Recent media reports revealed that Trump personally blocked Elon Musk from receiving "China war briefings," reportedly cursing in the process. This suggests Trump is trying to avoid a "fatal trap." Given Musk’s close ties to China and substantial investments there, allowing him into Pentagon decision-making could jeopardize his future access to China.

Trump’s urgency to repair ties may explain his interest in using Musk as a third-party emissary to secure a Beijing visit. If Secretary of State Marco Rubio suddenly resigns (as unlikely as that seems), it could signal Trump’s desperation to act before time runs out.

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