Skip to content

Briefings - 21. page

China Suspends Japan Travel Services Amid Diplomatic Tensions

Major Chinese travel agencies have halted Japan-bound tourism operations following Beijing’s response to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks on Taiwan. A representative from a large state-owned travel company’s Beijing headquarters told Kyodo News that the agency suspended group tours, individual travel packages, and visa processing services for Japan starting November 16, citing “the current bilateral situation.”

The suspension has created widespread disruption across the travel industry. When searching for keywords like “Japan” or “Tokyo” on the state-owned agency’s website, no travel products now appear. Customers who booked trips but haven’t departed are receiving full refunds without processing fees. Another major private travel company in Beijing has also stopped accepting new Japan travel bookings.

The impact extends beyond travel agencies. Japanese hotels have reported cancellations of accommodation and dining reservations from Chinese corporate clients. Additionally, China has experienced a massive wave of flight cancellations to Japan, with over 490,000 tickets canceled. A manager at another large Chinese travel agency revealed that promotional materials for Japan tours have been removed, and numerous tourists have requested refunds or itinerary changes in recent days.

This development carries significant economic implications for both countries. Japan ranks as China’s most popular travel destination, making Japan tours a cornerstone product for Chinese travel agencies. The suspension affects not only major agencies but may force smaller competitors to follow suit.

According to Japan National Tourism Organization statistics, Chinese visitors to Japan reached 7.49 million during January through September 2025, a 42.7 percent increase from the previous year and surpassing the entire 2024 total of 6.98 million visitors.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), November 18, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202511180232.aspx

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Epoch Times Exclusive: CCP Ministry of State Security’s 10th Bureau and Its Global Operations

The Epoch Times published an exclusive report, based on research by intelligence expert Feng Zheng, on the Chinese Ministry of State Security’s (MSS’s) 10th Bureau, which is responsible for overseas counterintelligence and suppression. The bureau primarily monitors Chinese communities abroad, exiled dissidents, and other perceived foreign threats. In recent years, multiple countries have uncovered large-scale CCP operations targeting overseas Chinese, including surveillance, transnational pressure campaigns, and attempts to influence elections – all linked to this bureau.

The 10th Bureau is part of China’s broader overseas intelligence network, estimated to include around 40,000 operatives embedded in global Chinese communities. Its duties encompass counterespionage, political security, and intelligence collection. Operatives often operate under official covers (diplomats, journalists, academics) or non-official covers (businesspeople, travelers), and leverage resources from other MSS bureaus to carry out surveillance and covert operations. While not primarily focused on economic or technological espionage, the bureau may still collect such intelligence through overseas Chinese channels.

The bureau operates alongside the CCP United Front Work Department, which applies soft influence strategies, such as cultural programs and community networks. By contrast, the 10th Bureau conducts covert monitoring, harassment, and, when necessary, direct suppression of overseas critics. It has been linked to high-profile incidents, including the Wang Shujun case in New York, attempts to disrupt dissident campaigns, and the theft of sensitive technology.

Feng emphasizes that the bureau’s reach extends to extreme actions, including cross-border kidnappings, pressuring dissidents’ relatives in China, and cyberattacks on protest organizers abroad. Intelligence gathered by the 10th Bureau can even shape China’s foreign policy: reports on dissident activity may lead Beijing to apply diplomatic pressure or offer economic incentives to host countries to curb dissent, illustrating the bureau’s central role in both intelligence operations and strategic decision-making.

Sources:
1. Epoch Times, November 14, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/11/13/n14635481.htm
2. Epoch Times, November 19, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/11/18/n14638233.htm

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

People’s Daily: China Issues €4 Billion Euro-Denominated Sovereign Bonds in Luxembourg

People’s Daily reports that China’s Ministry of Finance has issued a €4 billion euro-denominated sovereign bond in Luxembourg. The issuance was split equally between a 4-year tranche (€2 billion at 2.401 percent yield) and a 7-year tranche (€2 billion at 2.702 percent yield). Demand was exceptionally strong, with total subscriptions reaching €100.1 billion, 25 times the issue size.

This marks China’s first euro-denominated sovereign bond issuance in Luxembourg. The bonds will be listed on both the Luxembourg Stock Exchange and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing, enhancing their liquidity and international accessibility. The Finance Ministry stated that the issuance reflects China’s commitment to integrating into global markets, deepening international financial cooperation, and providing diverse investment opportunities for foreign investors.

Source: People’s Daily, November 21, 2025
https://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1121/c1002-40608385.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Spanish King Felipe VI Visits Beijing to Strengthen Bilateral Ties and Economic Cooperation

Spanish King Felipe VI conducted a state visit to Beijing from November 10 to 13, 2025. During his meeting with Xi Jinping, the two leaders witnessed the signing of 10 agreements covering areas such as food safety, plant quarantine standards, language education, and cooperation in space and astronomy.

Spain has maintained a relatively friendly stance toward China compared with other EU countries. Analysts note that Spain’s left-leaning government is seeking closer ties with China as a strategic hedge against deteriorating relations with the United States, which has criticized Spain for not meeting NATO spending targets and for policy differences on issues including Gaza. Chinese investment, including greenfield projects, offers an alternative source of economic support for Spain amid these tensions.

Madrid is also pursuing broader diplomatic influence within the EU and the Asia-Pacific region. Spain’s recent foreign policy emphasizes supply chain cooperation with Japan and South Korea while deepening commercial links with China. Beijing, meanwhile, aims to reduce trade friction with the EU arising from its heavily subsidized electric vehicle industry and to mitigate export pressures from U.S. tariffs. President Xi proposed that Chinese and Spanish companies jointly explore Latin America and other third-party markets, leveraging Spain’s historical ties to these regions.

Source: Radio France International, November 12, 2025
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/专栏检索/要闻解说/20251112-西班牙国王访华之微妙外交之路-双方各有何求?utm_slink=rfi.my%2FCB4Q

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Additional Chinese Actions Following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s Remarks on Taiwan

China continues to take a series of actions in response to Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s remarks, in which she stated that a military conflict or the use of force in a Taiwan emergency could constitute a “survival-threatening situation” for Japan – implying that Japan might need to consider military action.

November 14, 17, and 19:
People’s Daily published three editorials under the pen name “Zhong Sheng” (a homophone for “China’s Voice”):

  • “China Will Never Tolerate Sanae Takaichi’s Provocative Crossings of the Red Line on the Taiwan Question” {1}
  • “Beware the Dangerous Shift in Japan’s Strategic Direction” {2}
  • “Poisoning China–Japan Relations Will Ultimately Backfire” {3}

November 16:
A China Coast Guard formation led by vessel 1307 patrolled within the territorial waters of the Diaoyu Islands, which are claimed by both China and Japan. Japan’s TBS reported that four China Coast Guard ships entered the waters. {4} {5}

November 17–19:
China announced live-fire drills in sections of the central Yellow Sea, from 00:00 to 24:00 each day, with navigation prohibited.

November 18–25:
China announced additional live-fire exercises in parts of the southern Yellow Sea from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, also with navigation prohibited. {6}

November 18:
At the 80th UN General Assembly plenary session on Security Council reform, China’s Permanent Representative to the UN Fu Cong condemned Prime Minister Takaichi’s recent remarks on Taiwan as “extremely wrong, extremely dangerous, and a crude interference in China’s internal affairs.” He added that “a country like this is fundamentally unqualified to seek a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.” {7}

November 20:
The planned China–Japan–South Korea Culture Ministers’ Meeting for this month was postponed. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated that “Japan’s leader openly made extremely wrong remarks on Taiwan, which means the conditions for holding the trilateral meeting no longer exist.” {8}

Additionally, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a travel advisory urging Chinese citizens to temporarily avoid traveling to Japan. According to a November 17 South China Morning Post report, more than 491,000 Japan-bound airline tickets were canceled within three days – over 30 percent of all bookings. However, some observers noted that the cancellations did not appear voluntary, and Chinese netizens posted that their Japan-bound flights had been forcibly canceled. {9}

Airline industry professionals said the impact on actual Japan-bound travel remains limited. They noted that demand for Japan routes has long been stable, with bookings typically exceeding actual passenger numbers. Flights continue to operate nearly full; although some tickets were canceled, vacated seats were quickly retaken. {10}

Sources:
1. People’s Daily, November 14, 2025
https://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1114/c1002-40603281.html
2. People’s Daily, November 17, 2025
https://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1117/c1002-40604816.html
3. People’s Daily, November 19, 2025
https://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1119/c1002-40606647.html
4. CCTV, November 16, 2025
https://news.cctv.com/2025/11/16/ARTIsmBlaEtjpVHxkQty08Gb251116.shtml
5. Sina, November 18, 2025
https://cj.sina.com.cn/articles/view/1887344341/m707e96d503301owqi
6. Central News Agency (Taiwan), November 18, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202511180033.aspx
7. Xinhua, November 19, 2025
http://www.news.cn/20251119/c7f5d1c0fb1a43328dfff9fbe28737cf/c.html
8. People’s Daily, November 21, 2025
https://world.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1121/c1002-40608387.html
9. Yahoo (Taiwan), November 19, 2025
https://tw.news.yahoo.com/退50萬張赴日機票-中國人驚曝內幕-被強制取消-網-不是自願的-024800232.html
10. Epoch Times, November 19, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/11/19/n14638760.htm

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend

China’s Military and People’s Daily Describe Purge of He Weidong and Miao Hua as a “Before the Shots Are Fired” Move

People’s Daily republished an article from the PLA’s official website titled “The More Thorough the Anti-Corruption Struggle, the Stronger the Foundation for the Next Hundred Years,” framing the purge of former Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman He Weidong, CMC member Miao Hua, and other senior generals as a political necessity. The article emphasized:

“We must clearly understand that investigating and punishing major corruption cases involving He Weidong, Miao Hua, and others is a resolute struggle to defend the Party’s absolute leadership over the military, and a necessary step to eliminate the soil and conditions that allow corruption to grow.”

It further warned:

“If rotten elements are not thoroughly removed before the shots are fired, they will leave major risks to political security – consequences that would be unimaginable at a critical moment.”

The phrase “before the shots are fired” drew attention. According to former Central Party School professor Cai Xia, the purge was not initiated by Xi Jinping but was instead a preemptive counterattack launched by the other CMC Vice Chairman, Zhang Youxia. Xi’s review of weapons procurement and the sweeping corruption scandal in the Rocket Force had begun to encroach on Zhang’s sphere. Rather than wait, Zhang moved first, resulting in the takedown of He Weidong, Miao Hua, and multiple other generals.

Cai Xia further alleges:

“He Weidong and Miao Hua secretly planned to form a ‘private army’ in the Tianjin corridor – an armed force not subordinated to any theater command, intended to serve Xi Jinping in emergencies. Zhang Youxia uncovered the plan and used it as grounds to purge them.”

Sources:
1. People’s Daily, November 13, 2025
http://dangjian.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1113/c117092-40602812.html
2. Epoch Times, Novmeber 13, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/11/13/n14635190.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Major Leak Exposes Chinese Cyber Contractor’s Global Hacking Operations

A massive data breach at Chinese cybersecurity firm Knownsec (知道创宇) has exposed its extensive global hacking and surveillance activities. More than 12,000 confidential files – including hacker tool specifications, cross-platform remote-access trojans, surveillance target lists, and large-scale data-theft records – briefly appeared on GitHub before being removed.

Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Beijing, Knownsec runs the hacker team “404 Lab” and is regarded as a major contractor for China’s military and intelligence agencies. The company serves financial institutions, government bodies, and major internet firms, received significant investment from Tencent, and employs over 900 staff. The U.S. placed Knownsec on its entity sanctions list in 2022.

The leaked documents show that Knownsec built remote-access trojans for Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, enabling persistent access across a wide range of systems. Its Android tools could extract message histories from Chinese chat apps and Telegram for targeted surveillance. The leak also detailed hardware-based attack tools, including a malicious power bank capable of secretly exfiltrating data – demonstrating supply-chain attack methods that bypass traditional software defenses.

According to Cyber Press, spreadsheets in the leaked materials document intrusions into more than 80 foreign organizations, involving massive data theft. Examples include:

  • 95GB of Indian immigration records
  • 3TB of call logs from South Korea’s LG UPlus
  • 459GB of Taiwanese road-planning data
  • Password data from Taiwan Yahoo and Brazil LinkedIn accounts

The targets span over 20 countries and regions, including Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Nigeria, and the United Kingdom – indicating a broad, systematic intelligence-gathering campaign.

Security firm StealthMole further reported that Knownsec conducted internet-infrastructure mapping in 28 countries, covering the Asia-Pacific, Southeast Asia, Africa, and Europe.

Source: Epoch Times, November 14, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/11/13/n14635466.htm

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Information/Technology

PLA Conducts South China Sea Bomber Patrol after Philippine, U.S., and Japan Joint Exercise

Huanqiu Times reported that from November 14 to 15, the Philippine military, together with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and Japan’s Maritime Self-Defense Force, carried out another Multilateral Maritime Cooperation Activity (MMCA) in the West Philippine Sea. This was the eighth MMCA exercise held this year and the thirteenth since the program began.

In response, on November 14, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command dispatched a formation of bombers for a routine patrol over the South China Sea – marking the first publicly disclosed deployment of this kind.

Experts interviewed by Global Times said the move underscores China’s strong resolve and capability to safeguard its territorial sovereignty. Bombers, compared with fighter jets, possess more powerful strike capabilities, including saturation attacks that even large surface vessels would struggle to evade.

Analysts believe the formation likely included variants of the H-6 bomber. These aircraft may have flown tactical routes to warn foreign vessels and reinforce China’s red lines, potentially with fighter escorts. The mission aligns with China’s broader strategy of diversifying its strike options and integrating bomber units with aircraft carrier groups to enhance long-range strike capability and increase the flexibility of China’s power projection.

Source: Huanqiu Times, November 16, 2025
https://mil.huanqiu.com/article/4PAF86Mj7GF

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