Skip to content

Briefings - 4. page

Leaked Audio Allegedly Reveals PLA Interferences With Taiwan’s Elections

Taiwanese national security authorities said that several audio recordings recently circulated online allegedly reveal admissions by officials of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) regarding interference in Taiwan’s elections.

The recordings reportedly document discussions in 2018 between a PLA Strategic Support Force official surnamed Ding and Qi Zhongxiang, head of Beijing Womin High-Tech Co., Ltd.

According to the recordings, the PLA allocated approximately 20 million yuan (US$3 million) to its affiliated 56th Research Institute—publicly known as the Jiangnan Institute of Computing Technology—to purchase a “public opinion sentiment analysis system” from Womin. The system was allegedly intended to analyze, predict, and manipulate public opinion in Taiwan, with a particular focus on the 2018 Kaohsiung mayoral election.

In the first recording, Ding is heard saying that an initial 5 million yuan budget would be used to interfere in Taiwan’s 2018 local elections. If the operation proved successful, an additional 15 million yuan would be invested ahead of Taiwan’s 2020 presidential election to support more extensive election forecasting and influence efforts.

In the second recording, Ding emphasizes the importance of technological tools for controlling public opinion and describes the Kaohsiung mayoral race as strategically critical. He claims to have accurately predicted the election outcome, saying that while others believed Han Kuo-yu would lose, he believed Han would win—an assessment he said later proved correct.

In the third recording, Qi claims that his company had already monitored and controlled six million Facebook accounts in Taiwan, with plans to expand that number to ten million. Taiwan’s security agencies assess that these accounts were used to spread disinformation, inflame social divisions, and interfere with voting behavior, actions described by those involved as “contributing to national reunification.”

Source: Up Media, December 27, 2025
https://www.upmedia.mg/tw/investigation/political/248238

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

Shanghai’s Restrained Christmas Atmosphere Reflects Stricter Religious Control

Christmas Eve in Shanghai revealed a city navigating between commercial celebration and religious caution. While festive decorations adorned streets as marketing elements, religious observances faced increased scrutiny. As one of China’s most cosmopolitan cities and a popular destination for foreign tourists following expanded visa-free policies, Shanghai demonstrated relatively more openness toward Christmas compared to inland cities, yet the celebrations remained notably restrained.

At Xujiahui Cathedral, the main Catholic church in Shanghai’s diocese, authorities deployed additional police officers around churches to manage crowds during Christmas masses. Inside the cathedral, families attended services together, including young children, despite official regulations prohibiting minors under eighteen from participating in religious activities. This reflected citizens’ flexible approach to navigating religious restrictions.

Bishop Shen Bin of Shanghai, who also chairs China’s state-approved Catholic Bishops’ Conference, issued a Christmas pastoral letter emphasizing “strict religious governance” and “simplicity over extravagance.” The letter referenced a national religious initiative focusing on seven prohibitions regulating clergy behavior regarding clothing, food, housing, transportation, and social activities. This campaign, launched in October following criminal investigations into Shaolin Temple’s abbot, aims to implement comprehensive strict governance of religion and advance the “Sinicization” of religious practices.

Enforcement extended beyond churches. One resident reported being detained by police on Christmas Eve for dressing as Santa Claus and distributing apples to passersby, with officers deeming it “bizarre attire.” At the police station, numerous others in Santa costumes awaited processing.

The contrast between Shanghai and less developed regions was stark. Schools in Yunnan and Shanxi provinces issued notices discouraging Christmas celebrations, urging students and families to cultivate “correct worldviews” and “patriotic sentiments” rather than observing Western holidays. The geographic divide highlighted how religious and cultural policies intensify beyond China’s major metropolitan centers.

Sourced: Central News Agency (Taiwan), December 25, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202512250110.aspx

Briefings | | |   Social Stability

China Proposes Legislation to Regulate AI-Generated Content and Protect National Security

China’s Cyberspace Administration has drafted provisional regulations to govern anthropomorphic AI interaction services, prohibiting the generation and dissemination of content that endangers national security, damages national honor and interests, or spreads rumors that disrupt economic and social order.

According to the official website of China’s Cyberspace Administration, the draft “Interim Measures for the Management of Anthropomorphic Artificial Intelligence Interaction Services” was released for public consultation on December 27th. The proposed regulations aim to promote the healthy development and standardized application of anthropomorphic AI interaction services while safeguarding national security, social public interests, and the legitimate rights of citizens, legal entities, and other organizations. The measures advocate for innovative development of these services while implementing prudent and classified supervision to prevent abuse and loss of control.

The draft outlines eight prohibited activities for providers and users of anthropomorphic interaction services. These include generating or spreading content that harms national security, damages national honor and interests, undermines ethnic unity, conducts illegal religious activities, or spreads rumors disrupting economic and social order. Additionally, the regulations prohibit content promoting obscenity, gambling, violence, or criminal instruction, as well as content that insults or defames others and infringes upon their legitimate rights.

The measures also forbid services that provide false promises significantly affecting user behavior or damage social relationships. Further restrictions address activities that harm users’ physical health through encouraging or glorifying suicide and self-harm, or damage psychological health through verbal violence and emotional manipulation. The regulations prohibit inducing unreasonable user decisions through algorithmic manipulation, information misleading, or emotional traps, as well as soliciting classified sensitive information and other violations of laws and regulations.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), December 28, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202512280074.aspx

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics Information/Technology

Does China Have Only Five Full Generals Left?

China’s military held a promotion ceremony on December 22, elevating Eastern Theater Command Commander Yang Zhibin and Central Theater Command Commander Han Shengyan to the rank of full general (上将). However, observers noted that many senior full generals who had previously been active in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were absent from the event, fueling speculation about internal turmoil within the military leadership.

According to state media, only four full generals — Zhang Youxia, Zhang Shengmin, Liu Zhenli, and Dong Jun — attended the ceremony, far fewer than at comparable events in past years. By contrast, a similar promotion ceremony one year earlier reportedly drew 20 full generals. This sharp drop suggests that as many as 16 generals, or roughly 80 percent of the PLA’s full generals, were absent, raising questions about whether they have been removed, sidelined, or are undergoing disciplinary investigations.

Further speculation intensified after two separate sources, on December 22 and December 25, reported that Dong Jun may also have fallen. According to these reports, he was removed from his post as Minister of National Defense and could face disciplinary investigation — a common mechanism in China for bringing down high-ranking officials. If confirmed, Dong could also lose his rank of full general. Sources:
1. Epoch Times, December 23, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/12/23/n14660764.htm
2. Epoch Times, December 26, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/12/26/n14662443.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Huanqiu Times: Strategic Thinking Behind Japan’s Turn Toward Central Asia

Japan held its first-ever summit with the five Central Asian countries — Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan — in Tokyo from December 19 to 20, concluding with the adoption of the Tokyo Declaration.

The declaration commits Japan and the five countries to strengthening economic ties and advancing practical cooperation. Key initiatives include a target of ¥3 trillion (approximately USD 20 billion) in business projects in Central Asia over the next five years, cooperation to reinforce supply chains for critical minerals in light of the region’s abundant natural resources, and the establishment of partnerships in artificial intelligence. It also calls for expanded cooperation on the Trans-Caspian transport corridor linking Central Asia with Europe, as well as joint efforts to uphold a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Huanqiu Times commented that, from a geopolitical perspective, Central Asia has traditionally fallen within Russia’s sphere of influence and is also a key partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. By deepening ties with Central Asian states, Japan aims to expand its diplomatic footprint across Eurasia and enhance its strategic influence.

The commentary outlined several strategic considerations behind Japan’s approach. First, energy and resource security is a central concern, as the region possesses significant reserves of oil, natural gas, rare metals, and particularly Kazakhstan’s uranium resources. Second, Japan seeks to align with U.S. Central Asia strategy and cooperate in building resilient supply chains for critical resources. Third, Tokyo aims to promote the Trans-Caspian corridor to improve access to external markets for landlocked Central Asian countries. Fourth, Japan is seeking to balance and constrain Russia’s geopolitical pressure, especially as it affects Japan’s security environment in the Far East.

Sources:
1. NHK, December 20, 2025
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/zh/news/20251220_10/
2. Huanqiu Times, December 19, 2025
https://opinion.huanqiu.com/article/4Pbzcf5AxsL

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Chinese Buyers Leads Foreign Land Acquisitions in Japan’s Security-Sensitive Areas

The Japanese government has released data revealing that approximately 3 percent of land and buildings acquired in nationally significant security zones during the 2024 fiscal year were purchased by foreign individuals or entities, with mainland Chinese buyers accounting for nearly half of these foreign acquisitions. According to NHK reporting, this information comes as Japan implements stricter controls over strategically important properties near military and critical infrastructure sites.

Japanese law now regulates land purchases in areas deemed crucial for national security. The government has designated zones surrounding Self-Defense Force facilities, nuclear power plants, and other vital installations as either “areas of concern” or “areas of special concern” under this legal framework. The recent data covers all land and building transactions within these protected zones throughout the 2024 fiscal year.

Of the 113,827 newly acquired properties identified within these security-sensitive areas, 3,498 transactions involved foreign buyers, representing 3.1 percent of the total. Mainland Chinese individuals and corporations led with 1,674 acquisitions, followed by Taiwan with 414 purchases and South Korea with 378 transactions.

Under current legislation, the government possesses authority to issue orders or advisories if land use within these zones interferes with the functioning of important facilities. Authorities can demand cessation of specific land activities deemed problematic. However, the government confirmed that no cases warranting such intervention were identified during this statistical survey period, suggesting all foreign acquisitions complied with existing regulations and posed no immediate concerns to national security operations.

Source: NHK, December 16, 2025
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/zh/news/20251216_ML04/

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

Beijing Tightens Control Over Online Commentary on the Real Estate Market

Chinese authorities in Beijing are stepping up censorship and regulation of social media content related to the struggling property sector. Multiple government agencies have held meetings with major online platforms — including Douyin, Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), Beike, 58.com, and Xianyu — urging them to remove posts that “talk down” the real estate market or risk triggering public panic.

Officials said some accounts and posts were spreading pessimistic or misleading information that could undermine market confidence. Platforms were instructed to conduct internal reviews, delete problematic content and accounts, and strengthen long-term content moderation mechanisms. Authorities report that more than 17,000 pieces of content have already been removed.

These measures are part of broader efforts by the government to manage public discourse and maintain stability in the property market, which has remained under pressure amid China’s economic slowdown.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), December 18, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202512180084.aspx

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

UDN: Germany’s Exports to US Expected to Decline While Deficit with China to Reach New High

United Daily News (UDN), one of the primary Taiwanese news groups, recently reported that Germany’s Trade and Investment Agency (GTAI) said, by the end of 2025, German exports to the United States are expected to decline sharply, while the trade deficit with China will reach a record high. GTAI analysis points to U.S. tariff policies, weak demand in the U.S. and Chinese markets, and German companies shifting production to China as the main reasons.

GTAI estimated that Germany’s exports will grow by only 0.6 percent in 2025, totaling approximately 1.6 trillion Euros. Germany’s exports to its largest export market, the United States, are projected to decline by 7.3 percent compared to 2024.

Germany’s core manufacturing sector also faces competitive pressure from China – machinery manufacturing as an example. German car exports are projected to decline by approximately 3.2 percent too, primarily due to weak demand in the Chinese market and competition from Chinese electric vehicles. Germany’s total exports to China are projected to decline by approximately 10 percent in 2025.

On the import side, Germany’s reliance on China continues to deepen. GTAI projects that Germany’s imports from China increases by 7.2 percent annually, making China Germany’s largest supplier of goods. With declining exports and continuously expanding imports, Germany’s trade deficit with China will climb to approximately 87 billion Euros, a record high according to GTAI.

Source: UDN, December 15, 2025
https://money.udn.com/money/story/5599/9204967

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend