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China Announces Downfall of Nine Senior Generals, Including CMC Vice Chairman He Weidong

On the afternoon of October 17, Senior Colonel Zhang Xiaogang, spokesperson for China’s Ministry of National Defense, issued the following statements:

“With the approval of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee and the Central Military Commission (CMC), the CMC’s Discipline Inspection Commission and Supervisory Commission have opened formal investigations into nine senior military officials:

  • Politburo member and CMC Vice Chairman He Weidong
  • CMC member and former Director of the CMC Political Work Department Miao Hua
  • Former Executive Deputy Director of the CMC Political Work Department He Hongjun
  • Former Executive Deputy Director of the CMC Joint Operations Command Center Wang Xiubin
  • Former Commander of the Eastern Theater Command Lin Xiangyang
  • Former Political Commissar of the Army Qin Shutang
  • Former Political Commissar of the Navy Yuan Huazhi
  • Former Commander of the Rocket Force Wang Houbin
  • Former Commander of the People’s Armed Police Wang Chunning”

“Investigations revealed that all nine officials had seriously violated Party discipline and were suspected of committing major duty-related crimes involving extremely large sums of money. Their actions were particularly egregious with profoundly negative impact. Consequently, the CCP Central Committee decided to expel all nine from the Party and transfer their cases to the military procuratorate for legal prosecution.

“Of the nine, eight – He Weidong, Miao Hua, He Hongjun, Wang Xiubin, Lin Xiangyang, Qin Shutang, Yuan Huazhi, and Wang Chunning – were Central Committee members, and their expulsions will be formally ratified at the next full Central Committee meeting. The CMC had earlier decided to strip all nine of their military ranks.”

All nine were full generals personally promoted by Xi Jinping and had advanced rapidly under his leadership. Several, including He Weidong, Miao Hua, and Lin Xiangyang, had previously served in the 31st Group Army, Xi’s former power base in Fujian.

The purge of these Xi-aligned generals from both the Party and the military has sparked speculation among rival factions and Party elders, who may question Xi’s personnel decisions and his ability to control the armed forces. At the upcoming Fourth Plenary Session of the CCP 20th Party Congress, the vacant Central Committee seats are expected to be filled, offering observers a chance to assess whether Xi’s military authority remains secure or has been weakened.

Sources:
1. Ministry of Defense website, October 17, 2025
http://www.mod.gov.cn/gfbw/qwfb/16416031.html
2. Epoch Times, October 17, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/10/17/n14618290.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Government/Politics

Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s Visit to North Korea Sparks Criticism Over “Humiliating” Reception by Kim Jong-un

Chinese Premier Li Qiang’s visit to North Korea from October 9 to 11 has ignited heated debate online, with many observers accusing him of displaying a “loss of national dignity.” His meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un was widely described as a “humiliating encounter.”

During the talks, Li sat on one side of a long conference table accompanied by his delegation, while Kim sat alone on the opposite side with only an interpreter. The arrangement, reminiscent of a supreme leader receiving subordinates’ reports, sharply contrasted with Kim’s previous meetings with Russian and Vietnamese visitors, where both sides were seated with their full teams. Commentators also noted that Li appeared nervous and deferential in front of Kim.

A video clip circulating online purportedly shows Li bidding farewell to Kim. In the footage, Kim kept his hands in his pockets and repeatedly turned away to speak with aides, offering only a brief nod at the end. Kim maintained a stern expression throughout, while Li stood with his arms at his sides, seemingly waiting for instructions. As his motorcade departed, Li waved repeatedly from his car, but Kim responded with just a single wave before turning away.

The footage drew widespread ridicule on Chinese social media. Some netizens wrote, “He’s still a national premier – how could he appear so submissive before a dictator? This is the most humiliating moment for a Chinese premier since the founding of the PRC.” Others mocked, “A great-power premier acting like a servant before a beggar boss.”

Some commentators, however, suggested that Li’s behavior was deliberate. They argued that Chinese diplomatic interactions are typically choreographed in advance, and Li must have known about the one-sided setup beforehand. His compliance reflected a calculated act of self-preservation. As Kim had recently reviewed troops alongside Xi Jinping and Putin, the hierarchy was clear: Xi and Kim were the masters, while Li was merely the servant – even when he was abroad. Sitting as an equal beside Kim would instead get Li Qiang into big trouble.

Sources:
1. Epoch Times, October 13, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/25/10/13/n14614984.htm
2. Epoch Times, October 15, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/25/10/15/n14616527.htm
3. Pincong
https://pincong.rocks/article/88792

Briefings | | |   @CS Government/Politics

Ghostwriting Epidemic in Chinese Medical Journals Raises Integrity Concerns

A growing problem in China’s medical research sector is the widespread practice of ghostwriting and ghost-publishing for academic journals. Searching “medical journal ghostwriting” on social media reveals numerous services advertising “one-stop publication in core journals” and “experienced writers,” with prices ranging from around 10,000 yuan (US$1,400) for ordinary journals to 40,000–50,000 yuan for core journals. These services typically handle writing but do not guarantee publication unless additional fees are paid, creating a full-fledged industry chain.

This phenomenon has contributed to a high rate of paper retractions among Chinese medical institutions. A recent Nature study analyzing global retractions from 2014 to 2024 found that Jining First People’s Hospital had the world’s highest retraction rate, exceeding 5 percent. Seven of the top ten institutions for retractions were in China, including major hospitals such as Cangzhou Central Hospital and Huaihe Hospital of Henan University. Analysis from a UK academic integrity firm showed that approximately 70 percent of institutions with retraction rates above 1 percent were Chinese, most of them hospitals or medical schools.

The academic misconduct has led to bizarre and implausible findings. Some obstetrics papers reported “male patients with uterine fibroids” or “male high-risk pregnant women,” while one study from the Affiliated People’s Hospital of Fujian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine listed 64 male samples among 100 gynecological cases. These cases underscore the serious integrity issues facing China’s medical research community and the risks posed by the ghostwriting industry.

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

Source: CCTV, September 29, 2025
https://news.cctv.com/2025/09/29/ARTI11mg9N3trdIl2vI2US2v250929.shtml

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

People’s Daily: Jamaican Scholar: China’s Global Governance Initiative Brings Opportunities for Small Island Developing States

People’s Daily published an article by the dean of Jamaica’s Mico University College School of Education highlighting the significance of Xi Jinping’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI), particularly for small island developing states (SIDS) and other developing nations such as Jamaica. The initiative – emphasizing sovereign equality, adherence to international law, multilateralism, people-centered development, and practical cooperation – was reaffirmed at the recent “SCO+” meeting in Tianjin, where participants agreed that strengthening global governance has become an urgent priority amid growing global instability.

The author argues that China’s proposal directly addresses systemic inequalities faced by small nations in global affairs, from climate financing and debt restructuring to trade negotiations, where their interests are often sidelined. By advocating greater representation and participation of developing countries, China’s GGI aligns with the long-standing aspirations of Caribbean and Pacific island nations to play a more substantive role in international decision-making.

Despite geographical distance, China’s approach – rejecting hegemony, upholding multilateralism, and fostering Global South solidarity – is viewed as both a moral and strategic pathway for small island states seeking sustainable development, equitable participation, and resilience in an increasingly complex world.

Source: People’s Daily, October 5, 2025
https://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/pc/content/202510/05/content_30108082.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

China Launches “π Index” for Physics Journals, Expanding Its Research Evaluation System

China has expanded its π Index, the country’s first independent global research evaluation system, from life sciences and basic medicine into the field of physics, with plans to include chemistry next year. Announced at the 2025 Shanghai Science and Journal Development Conference, the move represents a major step toward building a China-led alternative to Western metrics such as the Nature Index and the SCI impact factor – systems many Chinese experts view as biased and unscientific.

The Physics π Index covers 119 journals worldwide, including top international titles such as Nature Photonics and Physical Review Letters, as well as 19 leading Chinese journals like National Science Review and Chinese Physics C.

Officials hope the π Index will encourage Chinese scientists to publish more in domestic journals, thereby strengthening the nation’s academic influence and global discourse power. Researchers see the initiative as an important step toward developing a self-reliant, high-quality evaluation system that rewards genuine innovation and contribution—rather than the blind pursuit of Western recognition.

Source: Xinhua, October 10, 2025
http://www.news.cn/tech/20251010/ea132c5d1bca4f62a10cc3e13495a230/c.html

Briefings | | |   Information/Technology

China Denies Its New Rare Earth Export Controls Target Pakistan

China announced new rare earth export restrictions on October 9, requiring foreign manufacturers to obtain Chinese export licenses if their products contain or are made with Chinese-origin rare earth materials or technologies – even if no Chinese companies are directly involved. Under the new rules, any foreign-made items that include Chinese-produced rare earths making up 0.1% or more of their value, or that use Chinese rare earth–related technologies in extraction, smelting, or recycling, must secure a dual-use export permit from China’s Ministry of Commerce.

At an October 13 press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian dismissed reports claiming that the new rules were aimed at Pakistan for allegedly using Chinese technology and equipment to export rare earths to the U.S. Lin emphasized that China and Pakistan are “all-weather strategic cooperative partners” with strong mutual trust and close coordination on key issues. He noted that Pakistan had assured China its cooperation with the U.S. would not harm Chinese interests. He said that the “rare earth samples” presented to the U.S. were actually gemstone samples purchased by Pakistani staff. Lin said the related media reports were unfounded, speculative, and intended to sow discord between the two countries.

Sources:
1. Center for Security and Emerging Technology, Georgetown University, October 9, 2025
https://cset.georgetown.edu/publication/mofcom-notice-2025-61/
2. People’s Daily, October 13, 2025
https://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1013/c1002-40581251.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Economy/Resources Geo-Strategic Trend US-China Relations

China’s Special Port Fee on U.S. Vessels Takes Effect on October 14

Huanqiu Times reported that on October 14, China’s Ministry of Transport issued the “Measures for Collecting Special Port Fees on U.S. Vessels,” consisting of ten articles and effective immediately upon publication. The following are Articles 2 through 5.

Article 2: Foreign vessels engaged in international maritime transport that dock at Chinese ports must pay the Special Port Fee for Vessels if they meet any of the following conditions:

  1. The vessel is owned by U.S. enterprises, organizations, or individuals;
  2. The vessel is operated by U.S. enterprises, organizations, or individuals;
  3. The vessel is owned or operated by enterprises or organizations in which U.S. entities directly or indirectly hold 25% or more of the equity (including voting rights or board seats);
  4. The vessel is registered under the U.S. flag;
  5. The vessel was built in the United States.

Vessels built in China under conditions (1) – (4) above are exempt from the fee. Empty vessels entering Chinese shipyards solely for repairs, as well as other vessels granted exemptions upon review, are also exempt.

Article 3: The specific fee rates are as follows (rounded up to the nearest gross ton):

  1. From October 14, 2025, RMB 400 per gross ton;
  2. From April 17, 2026, RMB 640 per gross ton;
  3. From April 17, 2027, RMB 880 per gross ton;
  4. From April 17, 2028, RMB 1,120 per gross ton.

Each vessel is subject to the special port fee for no more than five voyages per year, with April 17 marking the start of each annual billing cycle.

Article 4: The fee shall be collected by the maritime administration authority of the port where the vessel docks and managed or used according to relevant national regulations.

Article 5: If a vessel docks at multiple Chinese ports during the same voyage, the special port fee is payable only at the first port of call. For vessels making more than five voyages to Chinese ports in a year, the fee applies only to the first five voyages, with subsequent voyages exempt upon proof of prior payments.

Source: Huanqiu Times, October 13, 2025
https://world.huanqiu.com/article/4OiMfb2DneG

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources US-China Relations