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President Lukashenko’s Unannounced Visit to China and Meeting with Xi Jinping Raises Diplomatic and Political Questions

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko visited China from June 2 to 4, with the highlight of his trip being a meeting with Xi Jinping on June 4. Notably, the meeting was held in Zhongnanhai, the leadership compound of the Chinese Communist Party, rather than the traditional venue, the Great Hall of the People. During the meeting, Xi remarked, “My office is right next door. This is the first time I’ve received you here.”

According to the Belarusian Telegraph Agency (BelTA), Belarusian First Deputy Prime Minister Nikolai Snopkov emphasized the “special nature” of the visit, describing it as “neither a working visit nor an official state visit, but a special trip for a family-style friendly luncheon.”

Political analysts highlighted several anomalies surrounding the visit:

  • Although Belarus characterized the meeting as a “traditional friendly family gathering,” Lukashenko’s wife did not accompany him to China. Xi Jinping’s wife, Peng Liyuan, was also absent.
  • The visit appeared unannounced, with no prior notice issued by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Upon Lukashenko’s arrival in Beijing on June 2, there was no coverage from Chinese state media, nor any indication of who received him at the airport.
  • No other members of the Politburo Standing Committee met with Lukashenko; his only public engagement was with representatives of the business community.

YouTuber and political commentator Da Yu offered his interpretation in a recent video, suggesting that Lukashenko’s sudden visit may be linked to Ukraine’s “Spider’s Web” drone attack on June 1, which reportedly destroyed or damaged many Russian warplanes, including nuclear-capable bombers. Russian President Vladimir Putin may have dispatched Lukashenko to Beijing to assess China’s position on the attack and gauge the extent of its willingness to support Russia in any retaliatory actions.

The visit has also reignited speculation over Xi Jinping’s political standing. Reports noted that Xi had not appeared in public between May 21 and June 3. While some argue that his meeting with Lukashenko on June 4 would dispel rumors of political instability, others view the event as a carefully staged appearance, suggesting that Xi may currently be restricted to Zhongnanhai.

Sources:
1. BelTA, June 5, 2025
https://chn.belta.by/president/view/-35724-2025/
2. Epoch Times, June 5, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/6/5/n14524823.htm
3. YouTube, June 5, 2025.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DjS09ZrEx4o

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics

Chinese Ministry of State Security: “Unmasking the Many Faces of Foreign Spies”

Xinhua News Agency republished an article posted by the Ministry of State Security calling for the general public to be vigilant about foreign spies.

The article said that foreign spies may be hiding among us. It listed “multiple faces” of the spies.

  • The “Detective” Who Doesn’t Investigate:
    Operatives from foreign intelligence agencies often disguise themselves as staff of detective or consulting firms. Under the pretense of verifying information or offering paid consultation, they lure domestic individuals into observing and collecting data on China’s military-sensitive sites or probing into high-tech sensitive information.
  • The “Scholar” Who Doesn’t Do Research:
    These agents may pose as academics promoting scholarly exchange or scientific cooperation. They frequently visit universities and research institutions, using promises of financial benefits or academic/lifestyle conveniences to lure individuals into betraying sensitive information and core technologies.
  • The “Businessman” Who Doesn’t Run a Business:
    Disguised as wealthy investors or businesspeople, these spies use the guise of investment and partnership to befriend key personnel in sensitive enterprises or government offices. They employ tactics such as financial incentives and emotional manipulation to gain intelligence in critical fields.
  • The “Tourist” Who Isn’t Sightseeing:
    Claiming to visit China for tourism or to see friends and family, these operatives express interest in the country’s natural landscapes and geography. They may conduct illegal mapping or reconnaissance themselves or coerce locals into doing so.
  • The “Lover” Who Isn’t Sincere:
    Foreign agents may pose as like-minded romantic interests to approach Chinese students studying abroad or initiate online connections. Once a romantic relationship is established, they engage in recruitment and subversion activities.

In addition to these roles, foreign spies may also pose as “journalists,” “visa officers,” or “Non-Government Organization (NGO) workers” – using various identities and means to collect state secrets and undermine China’s national security.

Source: Xinhua, May 25, 2025
http://www.news.cn/politics/20250525/c66dcdf735dc4d75ac940af641d38fc0/c.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Another Scholarly Article Criticizing the CCP and Xi Jinping

After two professors from the South China University of Technology allegedly called to end the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) rule, there is now another article circulating on the internet which was allegedly written by a Chinese scholar and calls for political reform and the end of the the CCP.

On May 13, the overseas Chinese-language media outlet Yibao published an article titled “Deadlock Without a Solution, a System Beyond Salvation,” authored under the name of Zhang Yingjie, an Associate Professor at Peking University’s Guanghua School of Management,

The article stated,

  • People laughed when the National Bureau of Statisticsannounced China’s 2024 GDP growth as “5 percent” (because they knew it was a fake number).
  • “There’s a scholar in the U.S. named Miles Yu (Yu Maochun), and his most famous saying is that the Chinese Communist regime should be distinguished from the Chinese people – a viewpoint that really makes sense.”
  • The CCP is best at “drawing big pies” (making empty promises). They also keep “flipping the pancakes” (referring to their endless policy reversals). This left the regime with zero credibility and no confidence from the public.
  • China has gone from consistent 10 percent annual GDP growth to now struggling to maintain even 5 percent. The root cause lies in a contradiction between the economic base and the political superstructure. The previous leadership saw this problem clearly. As former Premier Wen Jiabao put it, “Without the success of political reform, economic reform cannot be carried through to the end.”
  • The author’s solution to fix China’s problem is in line with what the vast majority of Chinese people hope for: Political System Reform!

Yibao’s editorial team later released a statement saying that they couldn’t verify the authenticity of the author, but felt the article was a strong piece. Thus, they decided to publish the article while removing the final sentence – “Xi Jinping and his Communist Party should step down as soon as possible!” – to protect the author’s safety. Then on May 14, they received an email signed by Zhang Yingjie, claiming that the article had falsely used her name and asked to remove it. After verifying that the message came from Professor Zhang’s own email address, Yibao retracted the article.

Sources:
1. Liberty Times, May 15, 2025
https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/world/breakingnews/5042984
2. Yibao
https://yibaochina.com/?p=255794

Briefings | | |   @CS Government/Politics

Xi Jinping’s Unusual Public Absence Fuels Speculation of Internal Power Struggles

Rumors have been circulating both inside and outside China suggesting that Xi Jinping’s hold on power may be weakening. From May 21 till today (June 3), Xi has been notably absent from public view for fourteen consecutive days, prompting widespread speculation among political analysts.

A review of China’s two main state-run media outlets – Xinhua News Agency and People’s Daily – shows that Xi’s last public appearance occurred on May 20, during an inspection tour in Luoyang, Henan Province. Since then, he has not been seen participating in any public events.

Since then, state media coverage of Xi has been limited to reports of letters and phone calls with foreign leaders or reprints of his previous speeches. For instance, on May 27, Xi sent a congratulatory letter to the 9th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Young Pioneers, and on May 29, he signed an order to issue the “Regulations on Military Scientific Research Awards.” By the end of May, People’s Daily – the CCP’s flagship publication – had gone several consecutive days without featuring any images of Xi.

Typically, news about Xi dominates the front pages of official newspapers. However, on both June 2 and 3, the front page of People’s Daily has no story about him – an unusual break from the norm, as it usually includes at least one, if not several, reports featuring Xi on its front page.

Source: Epoch Times, June 3, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/6/3/n14523170.htm

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics

China Rejects U.S. Accusations of Violating Geneva Trade Consensus, Says Responsibility Lies with Washington

On June 3, during a regular press briefing at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a reporter asked about recent U.S. claims that China had violated the consensus reached during the China-U.S. Geneva economic and trade talks and had taken a series of negative actions.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian responded by stating that the Geneva consensus was established on the principles of mutual respect and equal consultation. He emphasized that China has earnestly and responsibly implemented the agreement. In contrast, the U.S. has, without any factual basis, smeared and accused China, imposed export controls on semiconductors, suspended sales of chip design software to China, and announced visa cancellations for Chinese students – measures he described as extreme and suppressive. These actions, Lin said, have seriously undermined the Geneva consensus and infringed upon China’s legitimate rights and interests. China strongly opposes these measures and has lodged solemn representations with the U.S.

“I want to stress again: pressure and coercion are not the right ways to engage with China. We urge the U.S. to respect the facts, stop spreading false information, correct its wrongdoings, and take concrete steps to uphold the consensus reached by both sides,” Lin said.

In an editorial on the matter, the Global Times stated that despite substantive outcomes from the Geneva trade talks, the U.S. has continued to engage in petty maneuvers, gradually imposing a range of discriminatory restrictions on China. It asked, “Do these actions reflect the spirit of ‘mutual openness, ongoing communication, cooperation, and mutual respect’? Isn’t the so-called ‘slow progress’ entirely caused by the U.S. itself?”

The editorial stated that whether tensions between China and the U.S. continue to escalate depends on whether Washington is willing to work with Beijing and promptly correct its mistaken course. China, it said, has shown sincerity in implementing the consensus and remains resolute in safeguarding its legitimate interests. The U.S. should recognize that pressure and threats are not effective ways to engage with China. It has already “hit a wall” with its past tariff-based blackmail – and if it persists in damaging China’s interests, it will only hit that wall again. China, the editorial emphasized, possesses ample capability and confidence to manage all forms of uncertainty.

Sources:
1. Xinhua, June 3, 2025
http://www.news.cn/world/20250603/e9598d84c4ba474693f4c69b5d89b019/c.html
2. Huanqiu Times, June 2, 2025
https://opinion.huanqiu.com/article/4Mvx0vuC4XE

Briefings | | |   @CS US-China Relations

Turkey Arrests Seven Chinese Nationals in Espionage Case Targeting Uyghur Exiles

In early May, Turkey’s intelligence agency announced the on-the-spot arrest of seven Chinese nationals suspected of engaging in espionage activities.

According to the agency, some members of the group entered Turkey in March. The ringleader, identified by the initials Z.L., arrived in Turkey five years ago and began reconnaissance and preparations, including setting up shell companies in logistics and import-export sectors, and learning the Turkish language.

The suspects were found in possession of International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) catchers in their vehicle. These devices mimic the signal of legitimate cell towers. When a target phone comes within 50 meters of the active “ghost base station,” it will mistakenly connects to it, thinking it is a normal tower. The catcher then collects data from the phone, including call logs, conversations, location coordinates, and other information. The intercepted data were transmitted directly to a contact inside China, whom the suspects referred to as “the boss.”

Turkey is home to a large population of Uyghurs who have fled China. This espionage group’s main targets were Chinese Uyghurs living in exile in Turkey. They also reportedly targeted Turkish government officials, attempting to identify those with ties to Uyghur individuals or groups, and gathering other sensitive information.

Source: Epoch Times, May 22, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/25/5/22/n14515781.htm

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

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun Skips Shangri-La Dialogue, Breaking Attendance Tradition

The 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue was just held in Singapore, and China’s Minister of National Defense, Dong Jun, was notably absent from the meeting. The delegation from China’s National Defense University was led by Major General Hu Gangfeng, the university’s Vice President and Dean of Education.

Since 2007, China has placed increasing importance on the Shangri-La Dialogue, frequently sending high-ranking officials such as the Minister of Defense or Deputy Chief of the General Staff (at the rank of General or Lieutenant General). In 2012, 2017, and 2018, China sent the Deputy President of the Academy of Military Sciences (Lieutenant General) to attend. Since 2019, aside from the 2020 and 2021 (meetings which were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic), China’s three successive defense ministers – Wei Fenghe, Li Shangfu, and Dong Jun – had all attended and delivered speeches.

There have been rumors that Dong Jun, though he has been installed as the Defense Minister following the takedown of Li Shangfu, is not fully trusted. He was never given two higher titles, member of the Central Military Commission and State Councilor, which all of his predecessors had.

Huanqiu Times, in its English edition Global Times, published an article “Explainer: Why didn’t China send higher-ranking officials to attend 22nd Shangri-La Dialogue?” The article said, “A military expert told the Global Times on Thursday that for years, China’s military has participated in international and regional dialogues of real substance. Delegation members are selected based on operational needs, and regardless of rank or title, all participants represent the Chinese military in communicating China’s vision for a shared future and its three global initiatives, as well as its foreign and defense policies and core interests.”

Sources:
1. Epoch Times, May 31, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/5/31/n14521585.htm
2. Global Times, May 30, 2025
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202505/1335141.shtml

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Government/Politics

Harvard Graduation Speech by Chinese Student Sparks Debate Over CCP Rhetoric and Elite Influence

On May 30, at Harvard University’s commencement ceremony, Chinese graduate student Yurong “Luanna” Jiang (蒋雨融) delivered a speech that sparked controversy for allegedly echoing Chinese Communist Party (CCP) propaganda. The title of her speech was “Our Humanity”, and it included language reminiscent of the CCP’s “Community of Shared Future for Mankind” (人类命运共同体) doctrine. She stated:

  • “Humanity rises and falls as one”
  • “If we still believe in a shared future, let us not forget…”
  • “Our shared humanity…”

Many Chinese netizens viewed her speech and discussed it, since Jiang was the first Chinese student to deliver a commencement address on behalf of Harvard graduates. Her message calling for the inclusion of more international students was seen by some as a veiled response to ongoing tensions between the Trump-era immigration policies and Harvard’s advocacy for international student rights.

Online sleuths also uncovered her background. According to publicly available information from mainland China, Luanna Jiang’s father, Jiang Zhiming, is the Executive Director of the Green Future Technology Development Fund, part of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF). The organization is described on its official Weibo account as a national public welfare foundation approved by the State Council, overseen by the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and registered with the Ministry of Civil Affairs, with a mission focused on biodiversity conservation and green development.

Netizens even found that CBCGDF published a report authored by Luanna Jiang’s father, stating that due to the recommendation of Zhou Jinfeng, the Secretary-General and Vice Chairman of the CBCGDF, Harvard University accepted Jiang as a student. Luanna later posted that though she obtained the recommendation letter from Zhou, she didn’t use it – she submitted three other recommendations instead. Then the interesting questions are why did her father author such an article? Also, can a normal person obtain such a recommendation without a well-connected family?

Some netizens pointed out that this is a case where people with power create opportunities for their children, and that Jiang is likely to return to China to some relatively privileged position (due to her family’s power) as it will be hard for someone who majored in ‘International Development’ to find a job in the U.S.

Sources:
1. CReaders.net, May 31, 2025
https://news.creaders.net/us/2025/05/31/2875141.htmlMay 31, 2025
2. Phoenix, May 31, 2025
https://news.ifeng.com/c/8jp9lWrVji3

Briefings | | |   @CS Government/Politics US-China Relations