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Major Ambassador Shakeup Targeting Wang Yi and Liu Jianchao

Xinhua News Agency reported on August 15, 2025, that Xi Jinping, in line with a decision by the National People’s Congress Standing Committee, appointed and dismissed 20 ambassadors. Major reshuffles took place in Cameroon, Guinea, Cape Verde, Comoros, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Burkina Faso, Jamaica, Barbados, and Thailand.

Many of the dismissed ambassadors were longtime associates of Wang Yi. For instance, Han Zhiqiang, recalled from Thailand, served as chief of staff when Wang Yi was foreign minister (2016–2018). Yan Xiusheng, removed from Barbados, had been the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) secretary at the Foreign Ministry from 2013 to 2018.

Several others were linked to Liu Jianchao, head of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) International Liaison Department (ILD). Foreign media reported that after Liu returned from visits to Singapore, South Africa, and Algeria on July 30, he was taken in for questioning in early August, and his residence was searched.

Those affected include Qian Naicheng, ambassador to Turkmenistan and longtime ILD official, and Zhang Jianwei, former ILD Middle East and North Africa Bureau director, who became China’s Ambassador to Kuwait in 2022 and was just now reassigned to Thailand. Also dismissed was Lu Shan, 54, ambassador to Burkina Faso and Liu Jianchao’s fellow Beijing Foreign Studies University alumnus, who had frequent ties with Liu at the Foreign Ministry.

Source: Epoch Times, August 15, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/8/15/n14574441.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

Yonhap News Agency: Seoul Police Probe Right-Wing Group for Insulting China

The Seoul Namdaemun Police Station recently summoned members of the right-wing group “Free University,” which supports former President Yoon Suk-yeol, to appear for questioning on August 11. On the evening of July 22, around 8 p.m., the group held a rally near the Chinese Embassy in Jung-gu, Seoul, condemning alleged election fraud. During the rally, they tore a banner printed with the Chinese national flag and portraits of President Xi Jinping and Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Xing Haiming, insulting the embassy.

Article 108 of South Korea’s Criminal Act stipulates that insulting or defaming foreign envoys stationed in South Korea may result in imprisonment for up to three years or detention.

Source: Yonhap News Agency, August 10, 2025
https://cn.yna.co.kr/view/ACK20250810000200881

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics

Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Lula Discussed Uniting Against U.S. on Tariffs and Protectionism

The U.S. has imposed a 50 percent tariff on Brazilian imports, prompting Xi Jinping and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to hold a phone call on August 12, according to Xinhua News Agency. Xi stressed that all countries should unite and firmly oppose unilateralism and protectionism.

Lula briefed Xi on Brazil’s recent relations with the U.S. and reiterated Brazil’s firm stance on defending national sovereignty. He praised China for upholding multilateralism, safeguarding free trade rules, and playing a responsible role in international affairs. Lula added that Brazil is willing to strengthen coordination with China within BRICS and other multilateral mechanisms, jointly opposing unilateral bullying and defending common interests.

Xi emphasized that China-Brazil ties are at their best period in history. He affirmed China’s support for Brazil’s defense of sovereignty and legitimate rights. He called on all countries to unite and take a clear stand against unilateralism and protectionism. Xi further underlined that the BRICS mechanism is a key platform for building Global South consensus, and that developing countries should unite to safeguard fairness, justice, international norms, and their rightful interests.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), August 12, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202508120118.aspx

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Timeline of Events: Philippines-China Naval Collision near Scarborough Shoal (Since August 11) (Updated)

August 11 – The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) escorted a supply vessel delivering provisions to local fishermen near Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. China Coast Guard (CCG) vessel 3104 pursued the PCG vessel BRP Suluan at high speed, ultimately colliding with the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) frigate Guilin. The PCG released video footage of the incident, stating that the collision severely damaged CCG 3104’s bow, leaving it unseaworthy.

August 12 – A Chinese J-15 fighter jet intercepted a PCG light aircraft conducting a maritime patrol over Scarborough Shoal. The jet reportedly approached within 200 feet (about 61 meters) and executed dangerous maneuvers above the Philippine aircraft.

August 13 – The United States deployed two warships to the contested waters in what it called a “freedom of navigation” operation. This marked the first U.S. warship entry in at least six years. Beijing claimed that the Chinese military monitored and “drove away” the USS Higgins, a U.S. destroyer near the shoal.

August 14 – Philippine Ambassador to the U.S. Jose Manuel Romualdez stated that Manila and Washington are discussing the possible deployment of Naval Marine Expeditionary Ship Interdiction System (NMESIS) missile launchers. He noted these anti-ship systems could be stationed along Philippine coastlines and outlying islands facing the South China Sea to deter hostile actions.

August 15 – At a press conference, Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Jiang Bin blamed the Philippines for the collision, accusing PCG vessels of “repeatedly engaging in dangerous maneuvers, including high-speed charges and sharp turns across the bows of Chinese ships.”
On the same day, Philippine Foreign Affairs Secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro rejected Beijing’s claims, stating, “The Philippines bears no responsibility for the collision between the PLAN vessel and the CCG vessel in Bajo de Masinloc. It was an unfortunate outcome, but not one caused by our actions.”

August 15 – Australia and the Philippines launched their largest-ever joint military exercise, codenamed Exercise ALON. More than 3,600 personnel took part, including members of the Royal Canadian Navy and the U.S. Marine Corps’ Darwin Rotational Force.

August 19 – The Philippine, Australian, and Canadian navies conducted a joint sail in the South China Sea. The Philippine frigate BRP Rizal, the Australian destroyer HMAS Brisbane, and the Canadian frigate HMCS Quebec City participated in the operation.

Sources:
1. Radio France International, August 15, 2025
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/国际/20250815-菲外长-菲律宾不对中国舰船相撞事件负责，再次要求中方就去年6月登船事件赔偿
2. Deutsche Well, August 13, 2025
https://www.dw.com/zh/中国军方称驱离进入黄岩岛海域的美军驱逐舰/a-73624543
3. Australia Broadcasting Corporation, August 14, 2025
https://www.abc.net.au/chinese/2025-08-15/us-and-philippines-discuss-more-missile-system-deployments-/105657476
4. Radio France International, August 19, 2025
https://www.rfi.fr/cn国际/20250819-菲澳-阿隆-演习期间-菲澳加三国在南海联合航行

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

China to Donate to UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)

Xinhua News Agency reported that China continued financial support to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). On August 13, China’s Office to Palestine signed a donation agreement with UNRWA in Amman, the capital of Jordan.

At the signing ceremony, Zeng Jixin, head of China’s office in Palestine, said that “UNRWA is currently facing severe difficulties and challenges, which China views with deep concern.” He stressed that “China has always firmly supported UNRWA in fulfilling its mandate, and will continue to take concrete actions to back its work, helping to ease the humanitarian disaster in Gaza and the suffering of the Palestinian people.”

Since Israel’s law banning UNRWA operations took effect at the end of January this year, the agency’s public services for Palestinian refugees have been curtailed.

(Editor’s Note: The Israeli government and some Western governments have questioned the UNRWA’s operations being biased against Israel and even supporting anti-Israel activities.)

Source: Xinhua, August 13, 2025
http://www.news.cn/world/20250813/386634e8a5c6467cab56d0abd9cff95e/c.html

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

Former HK Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying Intimidates Falun Gong Practitioners in Helsinki Park

Leung Chun-ying was the Chief Executive of Hong Kong from 2012 to 2017 and is now Vice Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.

On the afternoon of August 13, around 2:15 p.m., Leung was walking with his wife in Helsinki’s Sibelius Park when they noticed a group of Falun Gong practitioners. He approached them and pressured the practitioners to reveal personal details including their names, places of birth, and organizational affiliation, and suggested they were paid to practice publicly and collect petitions. He also denied the reality of human rights abuses faced by Falun Gong practitioners in China, calling it all “lies.” His remarks carried an overt tone of political intimidation. Two others accompanied him.

The Falun Dafa Information Center has obtained an on-site recording of Leung threatening the practitioners. According to the Center, his remarks resembled an interrogation rather than a dialogue and repeated the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) narrative.

“You don’t dare say your full name, your surname,” Leung said. “You don’t dare say how much money, you don’t dare say where the money comes from.” He added, “Once we have your names, when we go back we can immediately check (the CCP’s surveillance database), one by one.” In the video, Leung openly admitted he had monitored and scrutinized Falun Gong practitioners in Hong Kong. He said, “(For those Falun Gong people) in Hong Kong, after many years, we’ve investigated everything thoroughly.”

The Falun Gong practitioners remained calm and contacted Finnish police. Police arrived shortly after Leung and his entourage left, took statements from the practitioners, and confirmed that their activities at the site were legal and protected under Finnish law.

Source: Epoch Times, August 17, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/8/16/n14574978.htm

Briefings | | |   @CS Government/Politics

Beijing and Moscow Fund African Influencers to Spread Anti–U.S. Messaging

Media experts and insiders report that Chinese and Russian actors are paying social media influencers across Africa—particularly on TikTok—to promote anti–U.S. narratives, often targeting the Trump administration. Influencers earn anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars per month by sharing misinformation and propaganda benefiting Beijing and Moscow.

Notably, according to a study by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, nearly 200 such campaigns have been identified across African regions, with a concentration in Southern and West Africa. Some influencers receive content-ready narratives and are compensated based on engagement, with one stating they earn roughly $3 per liked post and do not have direct contact with those sponsoring the content.

These operations fill an “information void” in Africa created by reduced U.S. aid to media, making the continent particularly susceptible to disinformation campaigns.

Source: Epoch Times, August 4, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/8/2/n14565971.htm

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

China’s New Mandatory Social Security Insurance Contribution Rule Sparks Concern

An Internet article stated that China’s Supreme People’s Court issued a judicial interpretation on August 1 stating that beginning September 1, workers cannot legally waive social security insurance, even if they gave consent to their company; rather, they can sue employers who fail to pay.

The author pointed out that economically, mandatory contributions reduce workers’ take-home pay, hitting small businesses hardest and possibly pushing firms to switch their full-time employees to contractors (then they don’t have to pay for their benefits and social obligations). The article also criticizes rigid rules like a 20-year pension contribution and opaque fund management, which create uncertainty about future benefits.

The author concludes: it’s not that people need social security insurance – but rather, it is that the social security funds need us to contribute to remain solvent.

Source: Utopia, August 6, 2025
https://www.wyzxwk.com/Article/shehui/2025/08/511706.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources