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Polish Government Suspects Russia Responsible for AI-Generated TikTok Content Advocating Polish EU Exit, Requests EU Investigation

The Polish government has requested that the European Commission investigate TikTok after AI-generated content appeared on the platform, including messages encouraging Poland to leave the European Union—content Warsaw says is almost certainly Russian disinformation.

In recent weeks, a TikTok account featuring videos of young women dressed in Poland’s national colors advocating EU exit went viral. The account has since been removed. Poland’s Deputy Minister for Digital Affairs, Dariusz Standerski, told the European Commission that such posts pose a threat to public order, information security, and the integrity of democratic processes in both Poland and the EU. He added that the nature of the narratives, their dissemination, and the use of synthetic media indicate that TikTok failed to meet its obligations as a “Very Large Online Platform” (VLOP).

Polish officials cited Russian-language grammar in the audio as evidence of Russian involvement. TikTok said it has been in contact with Polish authorities and removed content that violated its rules. The European Commission confirmed receipt of Poland’s letter and noted that under the EU Digital Services Act (DSA), VLOPs must assess all risks associated with their services, including AI-related risks. Last year, the Commission had already initiated proceedings against TikTok for allegedly failing to prevent election interference, particularly during Romania’s presidential election in November 2024. Non-compliance with the DSA can result in fines of up to 6 percent of a platform’s global annual revenue.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), December 31, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202512310018.aspx

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

China Continued Increasing Foreign Exchange and Gold Reserves in December 2025

China’s foreign exchange reserves reached US$3.3579 trillion at the end of December 2025, an increase of US$11.5 billion, or 0.34 percent, from November, according to data released by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange. Over the same period, China’s gold reserves rose by 30,000 ounces to 74.15 million ounces, marking the central bank’s 14th consecutive month of gold purchases.

Analysts quoted by Chinese state-run media outlet People’s Daily wrote that “the current level of foreign exchange reserves remains adequately ample and is expected to stay broadly stable.”

The analysis noted that China’s gold holdings remain relatively low. As of the end of November 2025, gold accounted for about 9.5 percent of China’s official international reserves—mainly composed of foreign exchange and gold—well below the global average of around 15 percent. From the perspective of optimizing the reserve structure, continued increases in gold holdings are seen as necessary. Gold is also widely accepted worldwide as a final means of payment, and “further purchases by the central bank could help strengthen confidence in China’s sovereign currency and support the advancement of renminbi internationalization.”

Source: People’s Daily, January 8, 2026
http://finance.people.com.cn/n1/2026/0108/c1004-40641245.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

China, Russia, and Iran Launch “BRICS+” Joint Naval Exercises off South Africa

China, Russia, Iran, South Africa, and other BRICS member states began a week-long joint naval exercise in South African waters on January 10, 2026, under the expanded “BRICS+” framework, which includes additional member and observer countries beyond the original BRICS grouping. South African authorities said the drills are aimed at safeguarding key shipping lanes and ensuring the security of maritime economic activities. The exercise marks the first time BRICS countries have conducted this type of defense cooperation and is widely viewed as a show of unity amid shifting global strategic dynamics, particularly in relation to Western powers.

China is the lead country for the joint exercise, dubbed “Peace Will-2026.” The Chinese People’s Liberation Army has deployed the guided-missile destroyer Tangshan, the comprehensive supply ship Taihu, a ship-borne helicopter, and dozens of special operations personnel to take part in the drills.

Sources:
1. Lianhe Zaobao, January 11, 2026
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260111-8084342
2. Radio France International, January 9, 2026
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/国际/20260109-中俄伊朗等金砖成员国在南非附近海域举行联合军演

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

Chinese State Media Condemns U.S. Arrest of Venezuela’s Maduro, Allows Surge of Anti-U.S. Online Sentiment

After Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro was reportedly captured by U.S. forces and transferred to the U.S. judicial system, Chinese state media moved quickly to denounce the action as “blatant hegemonic behavior.” On January 4, Xinhua published a sharply worded commentary that was widely republished by mainland Chinese media outlets. Notably, many of these platforms left their comment sections open, allowing an unusual surge of intense and openly hostile anti-U.S. sentiment to appear.

Observers note that Chinese authorities typically restrict or close comment sections when online discussions become excessively heated or deviate from the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) preferred narrative. The rare tolerance for high-intensity commentary in this case has prompted speculation that the response was guided within China’s propaganda system.

Analysts say Beijing often employs a dual-track approach on sensitive U.S.-related issues: state media establish the official political framing—casting events as examples of U.S. hegemony or foreign interference—while public comment sections are temporarily loosened to amplify nationalist and anti-U.S. emotions. Scholars caution that this does not indicate a genuine expansion of free expression but rather a controlled release of public sentiment, with comment threads frequently dominated by repetitive, slogan-like messages—possibly posted by the CCP controlled fifty-cents party members—intended to shape broader public opinion.

Source: Epoch Times, January 5, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/1/5/n14669445.htm

Briefings | | |   @CS Social Stability US-China Relations

Beijing May Block AI Company’s “De-China” Effort

Manus is an artificial intelligence company that develops large-model–based autonomous agent technologies and products designed to carry out complex tasks and workflows. Founded in March last year by its Beijing-based parent company, Butterfly Effect, Manus later relocated its headquarters to Singapore after receiving U.S. investment, laying off Chinese staff and fully exiting the China market to focus on overseas AI development. Observers widely believe the move was aimed at avoiding U.S. investment restrictions involving China and sidestepping Chinese regulatory oversight.

Meta announced late last year that it would acquire Manus at a valuation exceeding US$2 billion. After the deal became public, China’s technology and investment circles voiced strong praise for Manus’s trajectory, with many emphasizing the strategic importance of its decision to leave China. Analysts note, however, that Chinese authorities are wary of other technology firms following a similar “de-China” path.

China’s Ministry of Commerce has reportedly begun assessing whether Manus’s relocation of personnel and technology abroad, as well as its sale to Meta, should have required prior approval under China’s technology export regulations. Analysts caution that even if a company moves overseas, technologies developed in China may still fall under Chinese export control laws. If such technologies are deemed restricted, Beijing could intervene in the transaction—potentially invalidating contracts, imposing penalties, or, in extreme cases, blocking the acquisition altogether.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, January 7, 2026
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260107-8067327

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

Netflix Removes Chinese Drama in Vietnam Over South China Sea “Nine-Dash Line” Map

Netflix has removed the Chinese TV drama “Shine on Me” from its Vietnam platform after Vietnamese authorities objected to scenes featuring a map with China’s “nine-dash line,” which Vietnam says is inaccurate and infringes on its sovereignty claims in the South China Sea. Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture ordered the takedown on January 3 and gave Netflix 24 hours to comply; by January 6, the series was no longer available in Vietnam.

The 27-episode romance drama had been popular in China and other markets, ranking among the top ten on Netflix in Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam before its removal.

Vietnam is one of several countries that dispute China’s South China Sea claims represented by the nine-dash line. This is not the first time Vietnam has banned content over the issue: authorities previously barred Warner Bros.’ “Barbie” in 2023 and DreamWorks’ “Abominable” in 2016 for featuring the same contested map.

Source: BBC, January 7, 2026
https://www.bbc.com/zhongwen/articles/ce9ynrxp001o/trad

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

CCP National Strategist Li Yi Breaks Down After Maduro’s Capture

Chinese commentator Li Yi, often described as a “Chinese Communist Party (CCP) national strategist,” reacted emotionally after Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were captured by U.S. forces on January 3, 2026 during a significant U.S. military operation that resulted in their transfer to American custody.

In a livestream on January 4, Li became visibly upset while discussing the event, at one point slapping his own face and choking up as he spoke. He expressed shock that, although Caracas is about 3,300 km from Washington, the U.S. was still able to capture Maduro and his wife alive and fly them out. Li bluntly said, “I feel like I’m not even human anymore,” after previously repeatedly asserting that Maduro could withstand U.S. pressure.

Li’s intense reaction and behavior quickly attracted widespread online attention and mockery from netizens and commentators. Some analysts and observers suggested that his emotional response reflected the stark contrast between the decisive U.S. military action and the perceived capabilities of China’s own military forces, highlighting strategic embarrassment within certain pro-China commentary circles.

Source: Yahoo Taiwan, January 5, 2026
https://tw.news.yahoo.com/見馬杜洛被活捉-中共國師李毅哽咽-自搧巴掌-律師揭崩潰原因-225600131.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

Defiant Video Challenging the CCP Goes Viral, Sparks Widespread Online Support

A video of a man openly issuing a defiant “challenge” to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has recently gone viral, striking a strong chord with viewers. In the clip, he urges people to stop fearing power and oppression and to refuse silence in the face of injustice.

The video was reposted on X on January 2. In an impassioned address, the man declares: “They want you to be afraid—afraid to the point of shutting up, afraid to the point of forgetting. But this letter of challenge today makes one thing clear: we are no longer afraid! We will no longer accept any form of power or oppression!” He adds that such tactics are “nothing but a paper tiger” under public scrutiny, asserting that “the net of justice has already been cast” and that fear is the authorities’ “last weapon.”

His remarks quickly drew an outpouring of support from netizens across mainland China. Commenters praised his courage and called for unity, leaving messages such as: “A nationwide awakening—support the streamer,” “A retired veteran supports you,” and “When you encounter injustice, dare to stand up and say no—if you remain a bystander, you may be next.”

Source: NTDTV, January 3, 2026
https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2026/01/03/a104052775.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Government/Politics Social Stability