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Central Military Commission Launches Plan to Recruit Elite University Graduates as Military Officers

People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), recently reported that the Political Work Department of the CCP’s Central Military Commission has launched a recruitment initiative to “directly enlist outstanding university graduates” as military (and police) officers. The selection of graduates primarily targets those who studied science and engineering disciplines at “first-class” universities. For specialties urgently needed in military construction, a limited number of graduates from “non-first-class” universities and disciplines “may also be selected, provided they were admitted in the first batch of students during the undergraduate admissions process.” The goal for the planned initiative is to recruit over 800 military (police) officers in the latter half of this year.

Source: People’s Daily, November 4, 2024
http://military.people.com.cn/n1/2024/1104/c1011-40353639.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

PLA Exercise Reveals Logistics Management Problems

The international column “Looking at the Changing Winds (又看风云起)” on Chinese platform Tencent.com published an article stating that, in May of this year, several brigades under People’s Liberation Army (PLA) 72nd Group Army conducted exercises simulating real battlefield conditions. During the exercise, an infantry fighting vehicle from one brigade experienced a sudden track break after completing live-fire training while en route to retreat, rendering it immobile and blocking the path for following vehicles. Although the brigade had prepared some repair tools, they were insufficient to fix the vehicle’s track, ultimately causing a significant delay in the unit’s assessment timeline.

Another brigade encountered a similar incident. To ensure a clear route for night maneuvers, the brigade deployed soldiers with illuminated batons to guide the unit’s movement. However, one baton unexpectedly ran out of power, causing the convoy to lose guidance. One armored vehicle even became stuck in a narrow passage, obstructing the overall retreat plan.

The author noted that, while these two incidents may seem like “minor mishaps in the exercise,” they highlight “significant room for improvement” in the PLA’s logistics management, equipment maintenance, and emergency response.

Source: Aboluo, November 4, 2024
https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/1104/2124849.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

China Foreign Affairs Ministry Spokesperson: US’ Malicious Intent Well Understood Globally

According to Chinese state media outlet Xinhua News Agency, on November 11 a reporter at the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s regular press conference asked: “According to reports, on November 8th, the U.S. State Department issued a statement supporting the Philippines’ enactment of the ‘Maritime Zones Law,’ stating that this law aligns Philippine domestic law with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the 2016 South China Sea arbitration ruling. The U.S. values the Philippines’ leadership in upholding international law, particularly in the South China Sea, and urges countries to align their maritime claims with international maritime law as reflected in UNCLOS. What is China’s response to this?”

Lin Jian, the Foreign Affairs Ministry’s spokesperson, responded that “the U.S., motivated by its geopolitical interests, has continuously instigated and encouraged the Philippines to provoke disputes and infringe on China’s rights in the South China Sea for many years,” and that “the U.S. has the malicious intent of sowing discord – a motive well understood by the world.”

“The U.S. repeatedly demands that other countries abide by UNCLOS, yet it refuses to join the convention itself. This is a classic example of hypocritical ‘double standards,’” Lin said. He added that the South China Sea arbitration case itself violates UNCLOS and is nothing more than a political farce; its so-called ruling is illegal and invalid.

Source: Xinhua, November 11, 2024
http://www.news.cn/world/20241111/971595e582a14647a174547196b585aa/c.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend US-China Relations

China’s Population Decline Continues with Notable Variance Among Regions

According to the recently released 2024 China Statistical Yearbook, China’s population decreased by 2.08 million people in 2023. The country’s natural population growth rate fell to -1.48 per thousand, marking a decline of 8.8 percentage points from the previous year. The national birth rate dropped to 6.39 per thousand, meaning fewer than 7 births per 1,000 people.

Among China’s 31 provinces and regions, only eight maintained positive natural population growth rates. These areas included Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Guizhou, Tibet, Qinghai, Ningxia, and Xinjiang. Among these, Guangdong Province stands out — despite being highly urbanized (ranking 4th in urbanization nationwide), the province achieved a birth rate of 8.12 per thousand, making it a significant exception to the general trend where higher birth rates typically correlate with lower urbanization levels.

Guangdong has maintained its position as China’s leading province in terms of births, being the only province to record over 1 million births (1.03 million) for four consecutive years. Population experts attribute this to several factors. Dr. Dong Yuzheng, president of the Guangdong Sociological Association, points to strong family values and traditional influences in the eastern (Chaoshan) and western regions of Guangdong. Additionally, Peng Peng, Executive Chairman of the Guangdong System Reform Research Society, notes that while fertility intentions are declining across the board, these regions maintain relatively higher birth rates due to cultural factors and a large, young migrant population of childbearing age.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), November 10, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202411100108.aspx

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

International Schools in China Face Closure Amid Economic and Demographic Challenges

Recent reports indicate a growing trend of prestigious international schools closing across China, with Beijing Fangcao Foreign Language School being the latest casualty. Industry insiders point to two main factors behind these school closures: China’s rapidly declining birth rate, which has significantly reduced the student population, and the country’s economic slowdown, which has impacted household incomes. As a result, many Chinese families can no longer afford the substantial costs associated with international education.

Fangcao Foreign Language School, established in 2018 in Beijing’s Shunyi District, was a collaborative venture between Bohua Education Group, Phoenix TV, Tencent Education, and Britain’s Kingwood School. The institution offered education from preschool through high school, with annual tuition fees around 100,000 yuan ($14,000).

The school’s closure follows a pattern of similar school closures across China. Notable examples include Beijing’s Nord Anglia School in Fangshan District, which closed in July after just five years of operation. In the same month, Shenzhen’s first private school, Haude Academy, reportedly accumulated debts of 170 million yuan. August saw the closure of Chengdu Foreign Language School’s Renshou campus despite nearly 1 billion yuan having been invested in the school.

The situation at Fangcao School became apparent when multiple wage dispute notices appeared at the local labor arbitration committee, and students began transferring out during the previous semester and summer break. The school’s last public communication was in June 2023, announcing a student-teacher art festival.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), November 8, 2024
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202411080029.aspx

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Night Ride to Kaifeng: China’s Latest Youth Movement Sparks Nationwide Response

A spontaneous cycling movement that began with four female university students in Zhengzhou seeking late-night stuffed buns in Kaifeng has evolved into a nationwide phenomenon, drawing attention from Chinese authorities. What started as a simple food adventure in June has grown to attract over 200,000 participants, including students from across China and military veterans.

The movement gained significant momentum by early November, with students from Beijing, Tianjin, and other major cities organizing similar night rides in their regions. In Zhengzhou alone, the crowds became so large that shared bikes were completely booked, and many participants resorted to walking. Some participants were heard chanting patriotic slogans and calls for freedom, while veterans joined with their own rallying cries.

Chinese authorities implemented strict control measures in response to the growing movement. Universities across multiple provinces, including Henan, Shanxi, and Shaanxi, imposed campus lockdowns and prohibited students from participating. Roads were blocked, shared bike services were restricted, and educational departments issued urgent notices warning students about potential consequences to their futures if they participated.

Local educators and analysts suggest the movement reflects young Chinese people’s desire for public participation and self-expression. Some view it as an exploration of freedom of assembly, while authorities have labeled it a “political movement.” The scale of participation has reportedly exceeded that of the “White Paper Movement,” making it one of the largest spontaneous youth gatherings in recent Chinese history.

Despite the restrictions, many young people continue to express support for the movement on social media, viewing it as a symbol of youthful rebellion and self-expression in an increasingly controlled environment.

Source: Radio Free Asia, November 11, 2024
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shehui/ql1-bike-ride-kaifeng-student-suppress-repress-11112024013053.html

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

China Unveils “Strategic Plan to Strengthen Industrial Workforce and Foster Master Craftsmen by 2035”

Recently, China issued a document titled “Opinions of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council on Deepening the Reform of the Industrial Workforce Development.” The document outlined “strategic and comprehensive measures to strengthen reforms in building the industrial workforce.” It set a goal that, by 2035, China will have developed 2,000 national-level master craftsmen, 10,000 provincial-level craftsmen, and 50,000 municipal-level craftsmen, with the aim of fostering more top-level craftsmen to lead the development of a world-class industrial workforce.

Currently, China’s industrial workforce faces challenges, such as generally low skill levels and an overall shortage of skilled workers. Xinhua reported that that “manufacturing is the foundation of the country’s strength and prosperity. To advance new industrialization, it is essential to encourage and support more workers, especially the younger generation, to enter the manufacturing sector.”

Source: Xinhua, October 27, 2024
http://www.news.cn/mrdx/20241027/34912838d32c4033963df4492a10faf8/c.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Chinese Blogger: Sinwar is a “Sacred Warrior”

After Israel released a video of the death of Hamas leader Sinwar, a Chinese blogger wrote an article praising Sinwar as the “sacred warrior.” The article, being in line with the Chinese government’s pro-Hamas position, was widely circulated on Chinese media. The following are some key excerpts from the article:

The world wonders why Hamas, a resistance group with limited equipment and logistical support, can stand against the powerful Israeli invasion force. Why has the 300,000-strong, heavily armed Israeli army been unable to take Gaza in a year, suffering over 30,000 casualties? This video offers the best answer.

According to Israeli media, Hamas leaders are allegedly indulging themselves in luxury mansions, with none of them on the front lines. But what’s the reality? The former leader, Ismail Haniyeh, lost over 60 family members to Israeli attacks. If he wanted a life of luxury, he could have taken his family to Qatar, but he didn’t. His family stayed in Gaza, suffering tremendous losses. In the end, Haniyeh himself was assassinated.

Sinwar, despite being severely injured and losing an arm, refused to surrender. Even when he couldn’t hold a gun, he was determined to resist with a stick if necessary. That’s why Gaza has held on until today and will continue to stand.

Israel’s release of this video (editor’s note: referring to the video of Sinwar’s death) backfired. According to Israeli claims, Hamas leaders live in luxury, but the video showed Sinwar on the battlefield. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s son has spent years in a luxury villa in Miami.

Many pro-colonial voices urge the Palestinian people to give up resistance and accept a life under the iron rule of the Israelis. What is the outcome? Fatah surrendered long ago, but did that stop Israel’s occupation of the West Bank? On the contrary, Israel has accelerated its expansion since the latest Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Since Fatah’s surrender, Israel has “confiscated” over 30 square kilometers of West Bank land, leaving Fatah with less than 2,500 square kilometers under fragmented control, surrounded by Israeli military and armed settlers. So, it’s not that the Palestinian people choose to resist out of nothing; it’s that resistance is the only option. Even if you want to bury your head in the sand like an ostrich, doing so is simply not feasible.

Israel will not conquer Gaza in a year, nor in two. The Israeli government often accuses others of anti-Semitism or Nazism, using political correctness as a weapon. But they haven’t considered that if they leave no path for others, if they drive up the price of bread to unaffordable levels, if they label even basic acts of resistance as terrorism, they can’t blame the world for turning against them and for moderate tactics giving way to extreme measures.

Source: Sohu, October 25, 2024
https://www.sohu.com/a/820262668_120899619

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