Skip to content

All posts by NNL - 28. page

Speculations on the 82 Group Army

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Daily recently published an article titled “Rebuilding the Authority of Political Cadres in the 82nd Group Army.” The piece was notable for three reasons: it did not mention Xi Jinping, it emphasized “democratic centralism” (implicitly critiquing Xi’s more autocratic approach to government), and it advocated for restoration of the political authority of CCP cadres (hinting at a fix to Miao Hua’s military-political work).

The article stated: “When democratic centralism becomes the ‘golden key’ to consensus, when the fighting spirit becomes the ‘scalpel’ against entrenched problems, and when truth-telling becomes the ‘yardstick’ of combat readiness, the image and authority of political cadres will stand firm.”

Recently, reports surfaced online that during this year’s Beidaihe meetings, the 82nd Group Army (formerly the 38 Army) was deployed to Beijing and its neighboring area and also took over the defense of the Beidaihe venue. Large stockpiles of weapons and ammunition were reportedly stored in Beijing’s Zhongshan Park, with numerous barracks set up, and many military vehicles and tanks were stationed inside the city. The authorities said the activities were to prepare for a military parade scheduled for September 3, but in previous years’ military parades only saw defense deployments in suburban areas. There were reports that several buses blocked a line of tanks when they entered the city.

Commentator Chen Pokong noted that the PLA Daily ran this weighty article, conspicuously omitting Xi, rather than denying the rumors of (that a power struggle over the military could be ongoing).

Historically, the 38th Army played a major role in combat during the Korean War. It was repeatedly used in CCP power struggles. During the Tiananmen Massacre in 1989, it was deployed to suppress and kill protesters. In 2012, amid the power struggle between Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin, Hu’s faction deployed the 38th Army to Beijing to confront Jiang’s ally Zhou Yongkang, forcing Zhou into retreat. In 2015, Zhang Youxia led the 38th Army into Zhongnanhai to assist Xi Jinping in disarming the Central Guard Bureau and remove its chief Cao Qing and deputy chief Wang Qing.

Sources:
1. PLA Daily, August 16, 2025
http://www.mod.gov.cn/gfbw/wzll/yw_214068/16402940.html
2.  China News Center, August 20, 2025
https://chinanewscenter.com/archives/49294

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Government/Politics

Ministry of State Security Reveals an Energy Sector Employee Espionage Case

China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the Ministry of State Security has arrested an energy-sector employee, identified as Yu, on charges of espionage for a foreign intelligence agency. According to officials, Yu was first approached in 2017 by a foreign contact who posed as a professional associate. Over time, Yu agreed to provide sensitive internal company information in exchange for financial compensation.

The case came to light in 2019 when Yu attempted to transition into a government position and sought to conceal his past activities during background checks. Investigators uncovered evidence of his cooperation with foreign intelligence, leading to his prosecution.

Chinese authorities stressed that espionage crimes cannot remain hidden indefinitely, and concealment only increases the severity of punishment. Officials further emphasized provisions under China’s Counter-Espionage Law, noting that individuals who voluntarily admit wrongdoing, cooperate with investigators, or make contributions to national security may face reduced penalties. “The public should report suspicious behavior through official hotlines and security platforms.”

Source: CCTV, August 20, 2025
https://news.cctv.com/2025/08/20/ARTIWHFWeIbJ78dnyn5WjjUX250820.shtml

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Social Stability

Taiwan Joins U.S.-Led “Northern Strike” Exercise in the State of Michigan

The United Sates’ two-week “Northern Strike” exercise concluded on August 16, with more than 7,500 service members from 36 U.S. states and territories participating, representing all U.S. military branches except the Space Force, along with nine international partners.

This year’s drills placed greater emphasis on maritime operations. Planners have indicated that future exercises will expand further in this direction. One scenario involved delivering supplies to troops stationed on an island, which is different from past scenarios such as resupplying by land in Europe or from large bases in the Middle East.

Michigan has emerged as the top training location for potential large-scale operations in the Asia theater, as its central Great Lakes location replicates an island environment.

At an August 4 briefing, a senior Michigan National Guard official stated that more than 500 Taiwanese soldiers took part in this year’s Northern Strike exercise. Briefing slides showed that Taiwan has been sending troops to participate at least since 2021.

Source: Epoch Times, August 20, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/8/19/n14577051.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

PLA Briefs on Parade Preparations, Emphasizes Loyalty to Xi Jinping

On August 20, the State Council Information Office held a press conference on preparations for the upcoming September 3 military parade. Major General Wu Zeke, Deputy Director of the Operations Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Joint Staff Department and Deputy Director of the Parade Leading Group Office, outlined the plans.

According to Wu, the parade will last about 70 minutes and proceed in two stages – a ceremonial review followed by a troop march-past. It will also feature demonstrations of some of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) latest advanced weaponry designed for modern warfare.

Wu explained the deeper meaning of the parade in four areas:

  1. Affirming the PLA’s loyalty to the Communist Party. Troops maintain firm political consciousness, and are always ready to receive the review of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee and Chairman Xi, and remain loyal to the core, rally behind the core, support the core, and protect the core. {Editor’s Note: In Xi Jinping’s time, “the core” refers to Xi himself.}
  2. Commemorating victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
  3. Highlighting the PLA’s restructured force composition, including new units such as the Strategic Support Force, Space Force, Cyber Force, and Joint Logistics Support Force alongside the traditional services.
  4. Demonstrating combat readiness and the confidence to win future wars.

Source: Ministry of Defense website, August 20, 2025
http://www.mod.gov.cn/gfbw/qwfb/16403517.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Xinhua: Kim Jong Un Meets Senior Commanders Supporting Russia in Ukraine War

Xinhua News Agency, citing North Korea’s Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), reported that Kim Jong Un met on August 20 with senior commanders of the Korean People’s Army overseas combat units at the Workers’ Party of Korea (WPK) Central Committee headquarters.

According to the report, Kim received briefings on the specific military operations conducted by Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) units in overseas theaters and praised their leadership in supporting North Korean troops contributing to Russia’s effort to retake Kursk.

KCNA quoted Kim as saying: “Our army is doing what it ought to do, what it is necessary to do. And it will continue to do so in the future.”

Source: Xinhua, August 21, 2025
http://www.xinhuanet.com/20250821/8793b762a03e45bfa1f54796f07f012c/c.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

Every Chinese Is Asking: Who Is Yang Lanlan?

In the early hours of July 27, a young lady crashed her Rolls-Royce worth AUD 1.5 million (US$ 1 million) into a Mercedes in an upscale eastern Sydney neighborhood. The Mercedes driver was seriously injured and hospitalized, while the lady was unharmed but arrested for drunk driving. Her lawyer later secured her release on bail.

It was said that the bail amount was AUD 70 million, or 323 million yuan. That huge amount caught Chinese netizens’ attention and the news was quickly wide-spreading among the Chinese community. New South Wales authorities later clarified that no monetary conditions were set for her bail, debunking the exaggerated claims circulating online.

The 23-year-old Chinese woman is named Yang Lanlan. She lives in a luxury ocean-view apartment in Sydney and is usually accompanied by a driver, assistant, and bodyguard. She owns multiple high-end cars, including an unregistered Rolls-Royce containing limited-edition Labubu dolls, and frequently wears designer brands. Despite media efforts, little personal information about her could be found, making her seem disconnected from ordinary society.

People believe she is a second-generation or third-generation of high-ranking Chinese officials. A bodyguard serving the local Chinese community noted that wealthy second-generation Chinese inherit family fortunes but live extremely low-profile lives. They hold private gatherings in their own homes, shop by appointment, and are always accompanied by security, making contact with outsiders nearly impossible.

Since there is no official information about who Yang Lanlan is, there has been much speculation about her.

One theory is that she has very high status. Someone said her bodyguard is Xu Zhengyang, a former Beijing Armed Police officer, who was one of the best trained bodyguards in China with job duty to serve the top officials in Zhongnanhai.

Another theory says that Yang, with 1.35 trillion RMB (US$ 190 billion) in deposits in Australia, is the daughter of Xi Jinping’s brother Xi Yuanping.

Another claims she is an illegitimate daughter of Xi Jinping.

A recent posting on X had that she flew to Hong Kong from Sydney on March 8, 2025 and was taken by 3 cars to Shenzhen to meet Qi Xin, Xi Jinping’s mother. This indicated that she is closely related to Xi’s family.

Another suggestion is that her great-grandparents might include General Yang Chengwu from Fujian province, a key PLA figure in the 1960s and 1970s who served as acting Chief of Staff and Deputy Secretary-General of the Central Military Commission, and Qin Jiwei, a former Minister of Defense. Her grandfather, Yang Dongming, was a former Air Force deputy commander, and her grandmother, Qin Wanjiang, runs businesses. Allegedly, Yang Chengwu provided key assistance to Xi Jinping during his time in Fujian, and Xi is said to have looked after the Yang and Qin families.

Although the accident took place on July 27, it only became widely known in China on August 9. Some people feel this news was created and timed to make Xi Jinping look bad.

Sources:
1. Net Ease, August 9, 2025
https://www.163.com/dy/article/K6H42K740552MY16.html
2. Epoch Times, August 13, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/8/12/n14572291.htm
3. USOCCTN, August 12, 2025
https://usocctn.wordpress.com/2025/08/12/快递：杨兰兰是习远平前妻的女儿随母姓-灾民有家/
4. Secret China, August 14, 2025
https://www.secretchina.com/news/gb/2025/08/14/1086684.html
5. X, Shen Xue
https://x.com/ShengXue_ca/status/1957492509333926044

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics Social Stability

Huanqiu Times: USFK Commander Raises “Strategic Flexibility,” Sparks Concern in Seoul

Huanqiu Times reported the concerns from both Korean media and Chinese analysts regarding U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) Commander Xavier Brunson’s concept of “strategic flexibility” in deploying troops from South Korea to other regions.

Brunson, in his first press conference since taking office, highlighted the need for “strategic flexibility” – the ability to redeploy troops beyond the Korean Peninsula. His remarks came ahead of President Lee Jae-myung’s planned visit to Washington on August 25, which South Korean media saw as pressure on Seoul before the summit.

Brunson said the U.S.-ROK alliance must adapt to today’s security environment, a shift that requires South Korea to take greater responsibility against North Korea so U.S. troops can handle missions elsewhere. South Korean newspapers warned this shift could allow Washington to mobilize USFK forces in Taiwan Strait or South China Sea crises, marking a major departure from the forces’ traditional defensive role.

Chinese analysts cautioned that involving USFK in broader Asia-Pacific conflicts could expose South Korea to retaliation, making it difficult for Seoul to avoid being drawn in. They also warned that repeated U.S. emphasis on “strategic flexibility” risks destabilizing the region and undermining peace.

Source: Huanqiu Times, August 11, 2025
https://mil.huanqiu.com/article/4Ns6CSZhZjg

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

China Retaliates Against Czech President for Meeting with Dalai Lama

On July 27, Czech President Petr Pavel visited India and met with the Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, to congratulate him on his 90th birthday.

In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian stated at a press conference on August 12 that Pavel disregarded China’s repeated protests and strong opposition by meeting the Dalai Lama in India. Lin said this action seriously violates the political commitment the Czech government made to China, undermines China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and therefore China will sever all contacts with Pavel.

The Czech Presidential Office responded on X, saying: “The President’s meeting with the Dalai Lama was entirely private in nature. At present, there is no direct communication between the Czech Republic and China at the presidential level, so this move has not changed the current situation.”

Source: Creaders.net, August 12, 2025
https://news.creaders.net/world/2025/08/12/2903015.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics