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Beijing Detains Chinese International Student During Trip to Visit Family in China, Charged with Supporting Tibetan Independence

The Chinese Youth Support Tibet Association reported on September 20 that Zhang Yadi, a Chinese student who had been studying in France, returned to China in July to visit her family and then went missing for several days. On July 31, she was taken into criminal detention by the National Security Bureau in Changsha, Hunan Province, on suspicion of “inciting national separatism.” Lawyers appointed by her family were denied access to meet her, with authorities citing “state secrets” as the reason.

While studying in Paris, Zhang, fluent in Chinese, Tibetan, English, and French, actively engaged in academic and social issues. She supported the Blank Paper Movement – a protest against China’s zero-COVID and lockdown policies – and contributed to the editorial work of the Chinese Youth Support Tibet Association. The platform, which emerged after the movement, seeks to rally Chinese youth in support of Tibet, promote Tibetan culture, ease ethnic tensions, and advance transitional justice and reconciliation.

Analysts say Zhang’s detention reflects the Chinese Communist Party’s transnational crackdown. The CCP is closely monitoring Chinese students’ human rights activities abroad, fostering a climate of fear that extends even to those overseas.

Source: Central News Agency, September 20, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202509200189.aspx

Briefings | | |   @CS Government/Politics

Commentary on China’s Xiangshan Forum

The Xiangshan Forum, organized by China, is designed as a counterpart to the Western-led Shangri-La Dialogue, promoting an “Eastern security order” under Beijing’s leadership and consolidating its network of preferred allies. The 2025 forum was held from September 17 to 19.

China’s Message
In his keynote speech, Defense Minister Dong Jun made the following points:

  1. Emphasized China’s commitment to upholding international order while firmly opposing any “Taiwan independence” efforts, stating that China is prepared to counter external military interventions.
  2. Criticized certain foreign nations for invoking “freedom of navigation” in the South China Sea and citing international arbitration in ways that challenge fundamental principles of international relations.
  3. Highlighted the importance of maintaining a “UN-centered international system” as the framework for global peace and stability.

Reduced Prestige and Media Coverage
Analysts noted that this year’s forum appeared less prestigious than expected. Traditionally, a high-profile Xiangshan Forum requires three elements: a congratulatory letter from Xi Jinping, a keynote speech by the defense minister, and front-page coverage by central media such as Xinhua and People’s Daily. This year, Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter was absent, signaling a downgrade in the forum’s status. Although Dong Jun delivered a keynote again, Xinhua’s coverage omitted photos of him speaking, in contrast to last year’s reports, which featured large images highlighting his presence. The official Xinhua release this year contained only 382 words, whereas minor events, such as a dinner hosted by Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, received nearly 600 words of coverage.

Lower Level of U.S. Representation
Foreign participation also declined. The Pentagon reported that the U.S. sent a defense attaché from its embassy in China, rather than a higher-ranking deputy assistant secretary of defense as in previous years. U.S. officials stated that the attaché’s attendance represented an appropriate level of participation.

Sources:
1. Radio France International, September 18, 2025
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/专栏检索/要闻解说/20250918-北京香山论坛-中国防长讲话更显强硬
2. Secret China, September 19, 2025
https://www.secretchina.com/news/gb/2025/09/19/1088319.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend US-China Relations

China Seeks Arctic Cooperation with Russia on Northern Sea Route

Huanqiu Times reported that at the Foreign Ministry’s press briefing on September 19, a Russian media reporter asked: “According to reports, a cargo ship at China’s Ningbo Port is preparing for a trial voyage along a new Northern Sea Route, with departure planned for September 20. Could the Chinese Foreign Ministry comment on the significance of the Northern Sea Route for China and how China plans to cooperate with Russia in this area?”

Spokesperson Lin Jian responded that in recent years the international community has increasingly focused on the potential of Arctic shipping routes, which could become key corridors for global trade. China is willing to collaborate with Russia, other Arctic coastal countries, and interested nations to strengthen international cooperation in the construction and operation of Arctic shipping infrastructure, jointly promoting the development, utilization, and environmental protection of Arctic routes.

Source: Huanqiu Times, September 19, 2025
https://3w.huanqiu.com/a/5e93e2/4OO6sD3DH9X?agt=23

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

What Did Trump and Xi Jinping Discuss During Their September 19 Phone Call?

Trump and Xi Jinping spoke by phone for about two hours on September 19. On Trump’s posting and Xinhua’s report, both sides highlighted discussions on the TikTok deal and bilateral trade.

However, there were notable differences between the information put forth by each side. Trump mentioned issues such as fentanyl and ending the Russia-Ukraine war, which were absent from Xinhua’s account – suggesting that it might be Trump raised them but China didn’t agree with the U.S. position. Xinhua reported that Xi pressed the U.S. to provide a fair business environment for Chinese companies investing in the U.S., but Trump did not reference in his post.

Trump’s post on Truth Social:

“We made progress on many very important issues including Trade, Fentanyl, the need to bring the War between Russia and Ukraine to an end, and the approval of the TikTok Deal. … The call was a very good one, we will be speaking again by phone, appreciate the TikTok approval, and both look forward to meeting at APEC!”

Xinhua’s report:

“Xi Jinping stressed that the U.S. should avoid taking unilateral trade-restrictive measures that could undermine the outcomes achieved through multiple rounds of talks. On the TikTok issue, Xi said China’s position is clear: the Chinese government respects corporate autonomy, welcomes companies to conduct business negotiations on the basis of market rules, and supports reaching a solution that complies with Chinese laws and regulations while balancing interests. He expressed hope that the U.S. would provide an open, fair, and non-discriminatory business environment for Chinese enterprises investing in the U.S.”

“Trump stated that the U.S. seeks to promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation, will support the consultations between the two sides, and will properly resolve the TikTok issue. He added that the U.S. is willing to work with China to safeguard world peace.”

Sources:
1. Truth Social, Trump
https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/115231649861246548
2. Xinhua, September 19, 2025
http://www.news.cn/world/20250919/3bb67004417649309270b8a7f6c3295d/c.html

Briefings | | |   US-China Relations

Chinese Police Promote Population Monitoring Method in the Solomon Islands

Chinese police have begun introducing the “Fengqiao Experience” (枫桥经验), a “grassroots governance” model from China that emphasizes population control and community monitoring, to communities in the Solomon Islands.

China signed a security cooperation framework agreement with the Solomon Islands in 2022, following anti-government riots in 2021, which were partly triggered by opposition in Malaita Province to the Solomon Islands’ decision to sever ties with Taipei and establish diplomatic relations with Beijing.

Photos and reports show Chinese police visiting multiple islands, including the village of “Fighter 1” near the capital Honiara, where they helped implement population management, household registration, community mapping, and fingerprint collection. Chinese officers also promoted the model in 16 villages across Malaita Province, the country’s largest province.

This marks the first known implementation of the Fengqiao Experience outside China and has sparked human rights concerns.

Source: Radio France International, September 11, 2025
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/国际/20250911-当地居民-中国警方在所罗门群岛介绍-枫桥经验-开展试点项目

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend Social Stability

Beijing Announces Incentives to Recruit College Students into the Military

Amid rising employment challenges for Chinese graduates, Beijing is encouraging college students to join the military. On August 28, China’s Defense Ministry announced the preferential policies:

  1. Family honor – Local governments provide annual subsidies and display honor plaques for soldiers’ families.
  2. Career development – Incoming or current college students can apply to military academies; qualified full-time bachelor’s degree holders or higher may be directly commissioned as officers. Outstanding student soldiers in units at or below the division level may be recommended for military school admission. All student soldiers have opportunities for promotion, long-term service, and advancement to non-commissioned officer ranks.
  3. Education & employment – Incoming freshmen can defer admission, and current students may retain enrollment, with the option to resume studies within two years after discharge. Student soldiers receive tuition compensation, state loan repayment, or tuition waivers. After service, they receive extra points or priority for college transfers, graduate exams, civil service recruitment, and military civilian positions.

Source: Xinhua, August 28, 2025
http://www3.xinhuanet.com/politics/20250828/9378479441b74f7cacf15846cd203a42/c.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Largest Ever Great Firewall Leak Reveals China’s Exporting Internet Censorship Abroad

On September 11, 2025, over 500 GB of internal documents from China’s Great Firewall were leaked, exposing operational details, source code, and international deployments. The leak originated from Geedge Networks Ltd., a major Great Firewall contractor, and the MESA Laboratory at the Chinese Academy of Sciences.

The documents show that Geedge has exported censorship and surveillance technologies to at least five countries, including Kazakhstan, Ethiopia, Myanmar, Pakistan, and an undisclosed state codenamed A24. In Pakistan, the system can track network activity by SIM card; in Ethiopia, monitoring devices were deployed in regional data centers; and in Kazakhstan, government use includes TLS man-in-the-middle interception.

The files also reveal that Geedge has built provincial-level censorship systems to supplement China’s national level system, collaborating with Xinjiang, Jiangsu, and Fujian provinces.

Sources: Epoch Times, September 14, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/9/13/n14593857.htm
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/9/13/n14593903.htm

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend Information/Technology