US Diplomats Warn: Containing China is No Longer Feasible

WHO:

Alternet - James Palmer, deputy editor at Foreign Policy magazine, has expertise in China and lived there for 15 years between 2003 and 2018.

South China Morning Post - Kurt Campbell, a former top US diplomat, stated that containing China is no longer feasible.

WHAT:

CNN - Ulanqab is part of Beijing’s vision to rapidly scale up data infrastructure, a key priority for a government that sees AI as a crucial engine of growth for the country’s slowing economy with its shrinking population.

CNN - Beijing last month announced a $560 billion plan to rapidly scale up information infrastructure, including computing facilities, over the next five years.

CNN - Investment from listed Chinese companies in AI infrastructure is expected to double this year to around $139 billion, according to research firm Rhodium Group.

CNN - China wasted enough excess green energy in the first six months of 2026 to power the entire country of Mexico for a year, according to findings from independent research organizations the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air and Global Energy Monitor.

CNN - The Envision “Galaxy Campus” data center is designed to span more than 20 football fields and will rely on upwards of 80% of its power from wind farms operated by the company.

CNN - The first phase of the Envision data center was already fully booked, with additional phases being built for AI and cloud services.

CNN - Ulanqab is set to become a major data hub with nearly 90 data centers planned, contributing to China's AI boom.

CNN - Beijing's $560 billion plan aims to rapidly scale up information infrastructure, including computing facilities, over the next five years.

CNN - Investment from listed Chinese companies in AI infrastructure is expected to double this year to around $139 billion.

CNN - China wasted enough excess green energy in the first six months of 2026 to power the entire country of Mexico for a year.

CNN - The Envision “Galaxy Campus” data center is designed to span more than 20 football fields and will rely on upwards of 80% of its power from wind farms operated by the company.

CNN - The first phase of the Envision data center was already fully booked, with additional phases being built for AI and cloud services.

CNN - Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia, is set to have nearly 90 data centers built, contributing to a massive AI boom in China.

CNN - Beijing announced a $560 billion plan to rapidly scale up information infrastructure, including computing facilities, over the next five years.

CNN - Investment from listed Chinese companies in AI infrastructure is expected to double this year to around $139 billion.

CNN - Chinese firms face challenges due to Washington's export bans on high-end AI chips, which restrict access to models from Nvidia and AMD.

CNN - Ulanqab's Bayin industrial park is designed to be among the world's largest data centers, spanning more than 20 football fields.

CNN - Upwards of 80% of the power for the Envision “Galaxy Campus” data center will come directly from wind farms operated by the company, bypassing the grid completely.

Alternet - James Palmer stated that "if there’s one thing you learn in the cutthroat arena of Chinese Communist Party politics, it’s how to tell when an opponent is weak."

Alternet - Palmer explained that "there are opportunities for China in the midterms," suggesting that if Democrats regain control of the House and potentially the Senate, Trump might struggle to enact policies outside of issuing executive orders.

Alternet - Palmer noted that "Trump is on the back foot, both on the global stage and in domestic politics, and his language has become more bombastic as a result – except toward China."

Alternet - Palmer added that China "has no interest in bailing Trump out of his own failures," while also lacking any real ability to sway the midterms one way or the other.

Alternet - Palmer concluded that "any attempt to contest the election results plays right into a long-running theme of Chinese propaganda: democracy leads to division and chaos."

Fox News - First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli stated that Chinese espionage is "extremely pervasive" after his office charged alleged spies in recent months.

Alternet - James Palmer stated that "if Democrats take back the House, and potentially the Senate, as polls suggest, Trump might struggle to get much done outside of issuing increasingly impotent executive orders."

Alternet - Palmer noted that "Trump is on the back foot, both on the global stage and in domestic politics, and his language has become more bombastic as a result – except toward China."

Alternet - Palmer explained that "China has no interest in bailing Trump out of his own failures," while also lacking any real ability to sway the midterms one way or the other.

Alternet - James Palmer stated that "there are opportunities for China in the midterms," suggesting that if Democrats regain control of the House and potentially the Senate, Trump might struggle to enact policies outside of issuing executive orders.

Alternet - Palmer noted that Trump has spoken of Xi Jinping in "only admiring terms, at least in public" since Xi's actions over critical minerals last year forced a partial retreat from Trump's trade war.

Alternet - Palmer concluded that "any attempt to contest the election results plays right into a long-running theme of Chinese propaganda: democracy leads to division and chaos."

Alternet - Palmer described the political situation as "catastrophic" for Trump, suggesting he is poised to be as weak as he has ever been politically.

Alternet - Palmer noted that "if there’s one thing you learn in the cutthroat arena of Chinese Communist Party politics, it’s how to tell when an opponent is weak."

South China Morning Post - Campbell emphasized that the strategy of containment is outdated and ineffective in the current geopolitical landscape.

The Guardian - The article discusses Trump’s actions and their implications for the rule of law, particularly in relation to international criminal law.

WHERE:

South China Morning Post - The discussion regarding US-China relations and containment strategies is taking place in the context of international diplomacy.

WHY:

Alternet - Palmer concluded that "any attempt to contest the election results plays right into a long-running theme of Chinese propaganda: democracy leads to division and chaos."

Alternet - Palmer explained that the Chinese government "has no interest in bailing Trump out of his own failures," and lacks the understanding to know which U.S. election outcomes might benefit it more.

Alternet - Palmer explained that Beijing is more actively hostile towards Democratic lawmakers due to their criticism of China's human rights record.

South China Morning Post - Campbell argues that the rise of China and its global influence necessitates a reevaluation of US foreign policy strategies.

HOW:

CNN - The Envision data center is utilizing a "zero-water" system that uses industrial alcohol as coolant, reducing the need for water.

Alternet - Palmer indicated that a divided legislature could lead to delays in arms for Taiwan or result in long government shutdowns, further weakening U.S. capabilities.

South China Morning Post - The article suggests that the US must adopt a more collaborative approach rather than a confrontational one to address challenges posed by China.

(UPDATED October 13, 2026 13:14 UTC)

Beijing is pushing forward with a massive $560 billion plan to enhance its data infrastructure over the next five years, as the government views artificial intelligence as a vital driver for its slowing economy. The Envision “Galaxy Campus” data center, which will cover more than 20 football fields, is already fully booked for its first phase and will rely on wind farms for over 80% of its power while utilizing a unique "zero-water" cooling system. Meanwhile, investment from Chinese companies in AI infrastructure is projected to double this year to approximately $139 billion, highlighting the country's commitment to advancing its technological capabilities.

(UPDATED October 13, 2026 10:04 UTC)

Ulanqab is poised to become a major data hub, with plans for nearly 90 data centers that will significantly contribute to China's AI boom. As part of a $560 billion initiative, Beijing aims to rapidly enhance its information infrastructure, including computing facilities, over the next five years, while investment from listed Chinese companies in AI infrastructure is expected to double this year to around $139 billion. Notably, the Envision “Galaxy Campus” data center, which spans more than 20 football fields and will source over 80% of its power from wind farms, has already fully booked its first phase, with additional phases under construction for AI and cloud services.

(UPDATED October 13, 2026 05:08 UTC)

Ulanqab in Inner Mongolia is set to become a hub for nearly 90 data centers, fueling a significant AI boom in China, as part of Beijing's ambitious $560 billion plan to enhance information infrastructure over the next five years. Investment from publicly listed Chinese companies in AI infrastructure is expected to double this year to around $139 billion, despite challenges posed by Washington's export bans on high-end AI chips. The Envision "Galaxy Campus" data center will be one of the largest in the world, spanning over 20 football fields and utilizing a "zero-water" system that cools with industrial alcohol, relying on wind farms for more than 80% of its power.

(UPDATED October 13, 2026 01:34 UTC)

James Palmer from Alternet highlighted that in the competitive world of Chinese Communist Party politics, recognizing a weak opponent is crucial. He pointed out that if Democrats regain control of the House and possibly the Senate in the upcoming midterms, Trump may find it difficult to implement his policies beyond executive orders. Palmer also emphasized that while Trump is struggling both domestically and internationally, China has no intention of helping him and any efforts to challenge election results could reinforce a narrative favored by Chinese propaganda.

(UPDATED October 13, 2026 00:01 UTC)

In a recent interview with Fox News, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli emphasized that Chinese espionage is "extremely pervasive." His comments come after his office has charged several individuals in connection with espionage activities in recent months. This highlights ongoing concerns about national security and foreign interference.

(UPDATED October 12, 2026 23:00 UTC)

James Palmer from Alternet has pointed out that if Democrats reclaim the House and possibly the Senate, as polls indicate, Trump may find it difficult to accomplish much beyond issuing ineffective executive orders. He also noted that Trump appears to be struggling both internationally and domestically, with his rhetoric becoming increasingly aggressive, except when addressing China, which has no intention of helping him with his challenges. Palmer concluded that any efforts by Trump to contest election results would only reinforce a narrative used by China, suggesting that democracy results in division and chaos.

(UPDATED October 12, 2026 19:05 UTC)

James Palmer from Alternet highlighted that there are opportunities for China in the upcoming midterms, suggesting that if Democrats regain control of the House and possibly the Senate, Trump may find it difficult to implement policies beyond executive orders. He also pointed out that Trump has publicly admired Xi Jinping since last year's actions over critical minerals prompted a partial retreat from Trump's trade war. Palmer concluded by stating that any efforts to contest the election results would align with a long-standing theme of Chinese propaganda, which claims that democracy leads to division and chaos, noting that the Chinese government has no interest in bailing Trump out of his own failures.

(UPDATED October 12, 2026 17:03 UTC)

James Palmer, deputy editor at Foreign Policy magazine and an expert on China, described the political situation for Trump as "catastrophic," suggesting he may be facing unprecedented weakness. He pointed out that Beijing's hostility towards Democratic lawmakers has intensified due to their criticism of China's human rights record, which complicates U.S. relations. Palmer also warned that a divided legislature could lead to delays in arms for Taiwan or result in long government shutdowns, further undermining U.S. capabilities.

(UPDATED October 12, 2026 16:04 UTC)

Kurt Campbell, a former top US diplomat, has stated that containing China is no longer feasible, emphasizing that this strategy is outdated and ineffective in today's geopolitical landscape. The discussion surrounding US-China relations highlights the need for a reevaluation of foreign policy strategies, as Campbell argues that China's rise necessitates a more collaborative approach rather than a confrontational one. Additionally, an article from The Guardian explores Trump’s actions and their implications for the rule of law, particularly concerning international criminal law.