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Monthly Archives: June 2025 - 7. page

CCP Advisor on China’s Reunification of Taiwan: Taiwan May Not Have Its Next Election

Zhang Weiwei, Director of the China Institute at Fudan University and an advisor to senior Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership, delivered a speech at Wuhan University on May 16. In response to a student’s question about cross-strait conflict, he reiterated that “the timing for resolving the Taiwan issue is becoming increasingly ripe.” Zhang stated that, based on the current situation, “everything is already in place,” and from another perspective, there might not even be a next election in Taiwan. (Note: Taiwan’s next election will be in year 2028).

Zhang asserted that the President of Taiwan “is not even as powerful as a district Party secretary in Shanghai.” Despite the rise of anti-CCP sentiment in Taiwan under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) government, he believes that mainland China can still influence the younger generation in Taiwan through popular platforms like Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book).

“They are increasingly influenced by the mainland,” Zhang said. Given this, he believes that once China achieves its goal of reunification, governing Taiwan – whether through “One Country, Two Systems” or via the model of an autonomous region/administrative region – will be much easier than governing Hong Kong. He bluntly claimed that “Taiwan independence ideology has no roots,” and added that if the people of Taiwan refuse to accept “One Country, Two Systems,” then it would simply become “One Country, One System.”

Source: China News, May 26, 2025
https://news.creaders.net/china/2025/05/26/2872986.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend

People’s Daily: Amid U.S. Tariffs, Beijing Pushes for Exporters to Pivot Toward Domestic Chinese Market

People’s Daily reported that, amid the high U.S. tariffs, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Politburo (CPC) emphasized the need to accelerate the integration of domestic market and foreign trade at its April 25 meeting. Recently, the General Office of the CCP Central Committee and the General Office of the State Council issued the “Special Action Plan to Boost Consumption,” which proposed the following: “Support foreign trade products in expanding into the domestic market, launch the ‘China Tour of Premium Foreign Trade Products’ campaign, and guide OEM foreign trade enterprises to develop their own brands.”

The Ministry of Commerce launched the “China Tour” campaign in April. By early May it had already generated over 16.7 billion Yuan (US$ 2.3 billion) in intended purchases, attracting more than 2,400 foreign trade enterprises and over 6,500 buyers.

The article listed a few developments:

  • In support of foreign trade companies expanding into the domestic market, 15 major e-commerce platforms quickly responded with a comprehensive package of measures, including direct procurement and supply-demand matchmaking.
  • JD.com announced a special procurement fund and launched a support program to help exporters pivot to the domestic market.
  • Tencent introduced a “zero deposit trial operation” policy across more than 2,600 business categories, allowing merchants to list products without paying a deposit, helping foreign trade firms reduce operating costs.
  • Recently, due to inventory build-up and canceled orders, many foreign trade companies have faced increased financial pressure. In response, Fuzhou City, Fujiang Province is working with financial institutions to defer loan repayments or offer no-principal-renewal loans.

According to statistics, among the hundreds of thousands of Chinese enterprises with export performance in 2024, nearly 85 percent are also engaged in domestic sales, with domestic sales accounting for nearly 75 percent of their total revenue.

Source: People’s Daily, May 16, 2025
https://paper.people.com.cn/rmrb/pc/content/202505/16/content_30073573.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources US-China Relations

BRICS Development Bank Accepts Algeria as a New Member

On May 22, the New Development Bank (NDB), formerly referred to as the BRICS Development Bank, announced that Algeria has officially become a new member.

NDB is a multilateral development bank jointly established in 2015 by the five original BRICS members (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), with headquarter in Shanghai. Its goal is to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS countries as well as other emerging markets and developing countries.

NDB began its expansion in 2021. To date, Bangladesh, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Algeria have officially become new member countries.

The BRICS system has also expanded with six new members in 2024–2025, including Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Source: Xinhua, May 22, 2025
http://www.news.cn/world/20250522/dd27412847af4061822c72cb325f98eb/c.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources Geo-Strategic Trend

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

DW Chinese: Less Than 30 Percent of EU Companies in China Optimistic About Development Prospects

Deutsche Welle Chinese Edition recently reported that, according to the “2025 Business Confidence Survey Report” just released by the European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, the sentiment of European companies in China has fallen to a new low. EU companies in China are generally affected by various uncertainties and lack of optimism about their development prospects. The chairman of the Chamber expressed his belief that the past assumption of easily making substantial profits is gone forever.

Only 29 percent of the surveyed companies said they were optimistic about the growth prospects in China in the next two years, down three percentage points year-over-year. And 73 percent of the surveyed companies said that doing business in China has become more difficult in the past year. This proportion has increased by 5 percent from last year, reaching a record high. Around 38 percent surveyed plan to expand their business in China, a record low compared to 42 percent last year. And about 52 percent said they plan to cut costs in the coming year, another record high.

The annual survey report states that “China’s business environment has deteriorated on many key indicators.” The imposition of tariffs by the United States and recent developments in the European Union are reasons for business anxiety. The survey results show that downward pressure on corporate profits has further intensified over the past year. The Chamber also highlighted growing concerns among businesses about the unpredictability and lack of transparency in Beijing’s policies. Increased political interference in China further increased operational difficulties.

The survey was conducted before the U.S. increased tariffs in April. Business confidence is likely even worse now than when the survey was conducted.

Source: DW Chinese, May 28, 2025
https://tinyurl.com/ymjcds85

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources Geo-Strategic Trend

China’s Data Center Power Consumption Set to Double by 2027

A report released by Russia’s Exhibition Foundation on artificial intelligence development and global energy transition stated that China’s data center electricity consumption could double by 2027. This presents significant challenges for the country’s energy system transformation, Russian state media outlet Sputnik News wrote.

The report highlights that global data center energy consumption is growing at an alarming rate of 12-15% annually. By 2024, worldwide data center electricity usage has reached levels equivalent to France’s entire economic energy consumption, underscoring the massive scale of this technological infrastructure’s power demands.

Several countries are approaching critical thresholds for data center electricity usage. In the United States, data centers currently consume 4% of the national electricity supply, with projections indicating this could surge to between 6.7% and 12% by 2028. Ireland presents an even more dramatic case, where data centers already account for 20% of the country’s total electricity consumption.

The report emphasizes that current electrical grids cannot sustain such dramatic load increases without substantial investment in the power sector. Without adequate funding for infrastructure upgrades, electricity prices could rise significantly across major economies: 8.6% in the United States, 5.3% in China, and 3.6% in Europe by 2030.

To address the anticipated doubling of data center power consumption by 2027, China is implementing a comprehensive data center development strategy with approximately $6 billion in total investment. This massive undertaking aims to significantly expand the country’s power generation capacity to meet growing demand.

The global data center construction boom is also driving increased demand for critical mineral resources, adding another layer of complexity to the energy transition challenge.

Source: Sputnik News, May 29, 2025
https://sputniknews.cn/20250529/1065730455.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

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

China Implements New Regulations for Protection of Military Facilities

China has officially released new regulations for protecting important military facilities, which took effect on September 15. The “Important Military Facility Protection Regulations” impose strict penalties for unauthorized activities in protected zones, including photography and surveying, with violations potentially resulting in administrative penalties, criminal charges, or punishment by national security agencies for espionage.

According to CCP media outlet Xinhua News Agency, “the State Council and Central Military Commission jointly issued these comprehensive regulations containing 7 chapters and 51 articles. The legislation aims to ensure the safety of critical military facilities, maintain their operational effectiveness, and safeguard normal military research and production activities to strengthen national defense modernization.”

“The regulations clearly define the scope of important military facilities, assign responsibilities to various parties, establish procedures for designating protected zones, and outline protective measures and management obligations. County-level and higher governments must now consider military facility protection requirements when formulating economic and social development plans, while strengthening supervision and comprehensive management.

“Specifically prohibited activities include illegal photography, recording, sketching, surveying, measuring, positioning, or unauthorized use of such materials within protected zones. Violations may result in public security administrative penalties, national security agency punishment for espionage activities, or criminal prosecution depending on severity.

“Chinese authorities have repeatedly warned against photography in militarily sensitive areas. The Ministry of State Security recently cautioned about foreign intelligence personnel entering China under the guise of tourism or visiting relatives, particularly those carrying high-precision surveying equipment near military zones.

“In April, Chinese state media reported the arrest of three Filipino nationals suspected of espionage activities, who allegedly photographed and stored large amounts of military-related classified imagery for Philippine intelligence services.

“However, Chinese nationals have also faced arrests abroad for similar activities, including incidents in the Philippines and South Korea involving suspected military facility photography.”

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), May 27, 2025https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202505270058.aspx

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military