China rising

## 2022

* Russia successfully conquered Ukraine. The remnants of the government forms a rump state in western regions.

## 2023

- 23rd of July 2023:

* Chinese and Russian forces conduct large-scale military exercises in the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, the Yellow Sea, the East China Sea and the Sea of Japan due to the 101st anniversary of the foundation of the CCP.
* North Korea launches a medium range missile towards the Sea of Japan, while its trajectory Leads the projectile to fly over a nearby US carrier group as a provocation.
* A malfunction during the provocative North Korean missile launch results in the projectile changing trajectory mid-flight, bringing it closer to the American flotilla. The US carrier group, after a quick emergency assessment of the situation, came to the conclusion that this was a potential attack against the fleet and downed the missile in question.
* After the downing of the initial projectile, North Korea launches another salvo of missiles in the same direction in objection of the US move. The carrier group characterized this as another hostility, leading it to down several of these missiles, while the rest crashed into the sea nearby. Air sirens and missile warnings are going off in western Japan and South Korea.
* US vessels launch counterstrikes against the missile battery in question, making this the first American act of war in Korea since the Korean War.

- July 2023:

* North Korea retaliates against the US strike with missile attacks against the local American naval presence, as well as attacks against targets in South Korea and Japan. American forces conduct air and missile strikes against military targets along the North Korean coastline. South Korea announces a mobilization of its armed forces and conducts retaliation strikes along the DMZ. North Korean drones and aircraft enter South Korean airspace.
* Chinese and Russian officials blame the US for the escalation in Korea and demand an end of hostilities. Japan mobilizes its armed forces, while North Korean troops invade the DMZ after a series of border incidents and skirmishes.
* The Second Korean War fully begins: North Korea declares war against the US, South Korea and Japan, while Fighting between North and South Korea continues. The UK announces a military intervention alongside the US in support of South Korea.
* Chinese and Russian vessels begin harassing US ships on their way towards the Korean Peninsula, while later on actively blocking their passage as a way of blockade. Several incidents result in open clashes between American, Chinese and Russian vessels. All sides blame each other for the rising number of casualties.
* Hacking attacks plague the US security infrastructure, including the cybersphere of allied countries like Australia. Retaliation operations are conducted against Chinese server stations. China demands by ultimatum the total removal of allied troops from Korea, reparations and an end of hostilities. After the ultimatum is rejected, China announces a „special military operation“ to drive allied forces from Korea.
* China began operation to mobilize its troops in preparation for eventual invasion of Taiwan.

## 2024

* Fall of Taiwan: Despite American intervention, superior Chinese military capabilities left them outmatched and defeated. Taiwanese government flees into exile.

## 2025

* Second Scottish referendum which saw them secede from the United Kingdom. Avian flu pandemic. Korean War ends in a stalemate in favor of North Korea. Start of reunification process under a confederal system.

## 2026

* UN peacekeeping operation in Mexico after a civil war nearly broke out, although tensions remain.

## 2027

* Korea launched a geostationary satellite.

## 2029

* China launches space probes to outer planets and beyond.

## 2032

* Russia, Belarus and Ukraine merges into a superstate.

## 2033

* Korea launched unmanned space probe to Moon.

## 2034

* Korea carries out some Dengist reforms.

## 2036

* Instability in Middle East causing the re-emergence of IS.

## 2037

* Establishment of an independent Kurdish state.

## 2038

* Political resolution in Nagorno Karabakh where it agrees to become a confederal republic within Azerbaijan.

## 2039

* Russia lands its first man on the Moon.

## 2040

* US landed first man on Mars, which is immediatedly followed by Chinese expedition.

## 2041

* Expansion of Chinese overseas bases everywhere.

## 2042

* By this point the Internet is largely a walled garden, with real identity verification required in mainstream social media sites.

## 2043

* Assault weapons ban is approved in US Congress.

## 2044

* Floating cities begin to be constructed due to rising sea levels.

## 2045

* UN sets up new headquarters in St Petersburg.

## 2046

* Egypt descends into civil war where a Coptic states is carved out from it.

## 2047

* One country two systems expire in Hong Kong.

## 2049

* China celebrated 100th anniversary of Chinese revolution. One country two systems expire in Macau.

## 2051

* Launch of AGI and sentient robots in China.

## 2053

* Research into time travel technology begins.

## 2055

* By this point China and its allies largely won the 2nd space race. US power become reminiscent to Europe's during the early 21st century.