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Monthly Archives: August 2025 - 2. page

Communist Party Groups Appear in Taiwan High School Campus

Recent reports from Taiwan reveal the emergence of multiple student-led groups identifying as “Communist Party-related organizations” on several high school campuses. One identified school is the Taipei Municipal Chien Kuo High School.

These groups, some even claiming positions like “General Secretary,” appeared on social media under names such as “Establish the Communist Party” and formed the “Taiwan Inter-School Communist Union.” At its peak, 39 schools – including Taipei Municipal Chenggong High School, Yongchun Senior High School, and Kaohsiung Municipal Chungshan Senior High School – were reportedly involved, raising public concerns about possible influence from mainland Chinese actors.

School authorities at Chenggong clarified that these groups were not officially sanctioned student organizations and emphasized Taiwan’s commitment to freedom of expression.

Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council noted that communist ideology and utopian ideals can attract young people; they suggested students critically study the history of the Chinese Communist Party and international communist movements, as the communist theory and practice often differ sharply.

On August 21, the “Chien Kuo High School Communist Party” page issued a public statement distancing itself from the Chinese Communist Party. It confirmed that the organization was essentially defunct due to a small membership and many graduates leaving, and that the inter-school union could no longer function due to a lack of active members.

Source:
1. Central News Agency (Taiwan), August 21, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202508210275.aspx
2. United Daily News (Taiwan), August 21, 2025
https://udn.com/news/story/6898/8954552

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics

Speculations on the 82 Group Army

The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Daily recently published an article titled “Rebuilding the Authority of Political Cadres in the 82nd Group Army.” The piece was notable for three reasons: it did not mention Xi Jinping, it emphasized “democratic centralism” (implicitly critiquing Xi’s more autocratic approach to government), and it advocated for restoration of the political authority of CCP cadres (hinting at a fix to Miao Hua’s military-political work).

The article stated: “When democratic centralism becomes the ‘golden key’ to consensus, when the fighting spirit becomes the ‘scalpel’ against entrenched problems, and when truth-telling becomes the ‘yardstick’ of combat readiness, the image and authority of political cadres will stand firm.”

Recently, reports surfaced online that during this year’s Beidaihe meetings, the 82nd Group Army (formerly the 38 Army) was deployed to Beijing and its neighboring area and also took over the defense of the Beidaihe venue. Large stockpiles of weapons and ammunition were reportedly stored in Beijing’s Zhongshan Park, with numerous barracks set up, and many military vehicles and tanks were stationed inside the city. The authorities said the activities were to prepare for a military parade scheduled for September 3, but in previous years’ military parades only saw defense deployments in suburban areas. There were reports that several buses blocked a line of tanks when they entered the city.

Commentator Chen Pokong noted that the PLA Daily ran this weighty article, conspicuously omitting Xi, rather than denying the rumors of (that a power struggle over the military could be ongoing).

Historically, the 38th Army played a major role in combat during the Korean War. It was repeatedly used in CCP power struggles. During the Tiananmen Massacre in 1989, it was deployed to suppress and kill protesters. In 2012, amid the power struggle between Hu Jintao and Jiang Zemin, Hu’s faction deployed the 38th Army to Beijing to confront Jiang’s ally Zhou Yongkang, forcing Zhou into retreat. In 2015, Zhang Youxia led the 38th Army into Zhongnanhai to assist Xi Jinping in disarming the Central Guard Bureau and remove its chief Cao Qing and deputy chief Wang Qing.

Sources:
1. PLA Daily, August 16, 2025
http://www.mod.gov.cn/gfbw/wzll/yw_214068/16402940.html
2.  China News Center, August 20, 2025
https://chinanewscenter.com/archives/49294

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Government/Politics

Ministry of State Security Reveals an Energy Sector Employee Espionage Case

China Central Television (CCTV) reported that the Ministry of State Security has arrested an energy-sector employee, identified as Yu, on charges of espionage for a foreign intelligence agency. According to officials, Yu was first approached in 2017 by a foreign contact who posed as a professional associate. Over time, Yu agreed to provide sensitive internal company information in exchange for financial compensation.

The case came to light in 2019 when Yu attempted to transition into a government position and sought to conceal his past activities during background checks. Investigators uncovered evidence of his cooperation with foreign intelligence, leading to his prosecution.

Chinese authorities stressed that espionage crimes cannot remain hidden indefinitely, and concealment only increases the severity of punishment. Officials further emphasized provisions under China’s Counter-Espionage Law, noting that individuals who voluntarily admit wrongdoing, cooperate with investigators, or make contributions to national security may face reduced penalties. “The public should report suspicious behavior through official hotlines and security platforms.”

Source: CCTV, August 20, 2025
https://news.cctv.com/2025/08/20/ARTIWHFWeIbJ78dnyn5WjjUX250820.shtml

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Social Stability

Taiwan Poll Shows Concerns over Increasing CCP Infiltration

A new public opinion survey released by Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council reveals significant public concern over Chinese Communist Party infiltration and overwhelming rejection of Beijing’s unification proposals.

The poll, conducted between between August 14 and 18 by National Chengchi University’s Election Study Center, found that 83.7 percent of respondents oppose the CCP’s “One Country, Two Systems” framework. Additionally, 71.8 percent disagree with the assertion that “both sides of the Taiwan Strait belong to one China, with Taiwan being part of China.”

Public anxiety about Chinese influence operations appears to be mounting, with 65.5 percent of those surveyed believing that CCP infiltration activities targeting Taiwan have become increasingly severe in recent years.

The survey demonstrates robust support for maintaining Taiwan’s current political arrangement, with 86.4 percent backing the Taiwanese government’s position of “broadly maintaining the status quo.” Furthermore, 74.3 percent endorse the statement “the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the People’s Republic of China (Mainland China) do not belong to each other.”

Regarding security measures, public support is evident across multiple areas: 74.5 percent oppose military and civil servants holding mainland Chinese identification documents, while 66.2 percent support requiring government employees to obtain prior approval before traveling to mainland China, Hong Kong, or Macau. Additionally, 66.5 percent favor enhanced screening and management of mainland Chinese individuals applying for exchanges in Taiwan.

The telephone survey polled 1,075 adults over 20 years old across Taiwan, with a 95 percent confidence level and sampling error of ±2.99 percent. Vice Chairman and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh announced the results during a regular press conference on August 21.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), August 21, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202508210297.aspx

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Taiwan Joins U.S.-Led “Northern Strike” Exercise in the State of Michigan

The United Sates’ two-week “Northern Strike” exercise concluded on August 16, with more than 7,500 service members from 36 U.S. states and territories participating, representing all U.S. military branches except the Space Force, along with nine international partners.

This year’s drills placed greater emphasis on maritime operations. Planners have indicated that future exercises will expand further in this direction. One scenario involved delivering supplies to troops stationed on an island, which is different from past scenarios such as resupplying by land in Europe or from large bases in the Middle East.

Michigan has emerged as the top training location for potential large-scale operations in the Asia theater, as its central Great Lakes location replicates an island environment.

At an August 4 briefing, a senior Michigan National Guard official stated that more than 500 Taiwanese soldiers took part in this year’s Northern Strike exercise. Briefing slides showed that Taiwan has been sending troops to participate at least since 2021.

Source: Epoch Times, August 20, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/8/19/n14577051.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

CNA: China’s Youth Unemployment Rate Hit This Year’s New High

Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) recently reported that China’s National Bureau of Statistics has released China’s unemployment data for July. The unemployment rate for young people aged 16 to 24 was 17.8 percent, up 3.3 percentage points from June. This is not only the highest this year, but also the highest since August 2024.

The Bureau’s number only includes the unemployment rate for urban areas across the country, and excludes students. The unemployment rate for workers aged 25 to 29 was 6.9 percent, up 0.2 percentage points from June. In previous graduation seasons, China’s youth unemployment rate also showed a similar upward trend. In August 2024, the youth unemployment rate for those aged 16 to 24 in China was 18.8 percent.

Source: CNA, August 19, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202508190257.aspx

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Beijing to Regulate “Competitive Disorder” in Photovoltaic Industry

According to a recent report from China Business Network (CBN), several of China’s top regulatory bodies held a joint symposium on August 19 to regulate competition within the photovoltaic industry. The news was first announced that evening on the official social media account of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology. The Ministry co-hosted the meeting along with the Central Social Work Department, the National Development and Reform Commission, the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission of the State Council, the State Administration for Market Regulation, and the National Energy Administration.

This meeting to combat vicious competition, held by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, is highly confidential, and the participating companies have signed confidentiality agreements. Therefore, the detailed content and results of the meeting have not yet been revealed. It is expected that the details will cover the battery, component assembly, silicon wafer, and polysilicon sectors.

Sources close to the meeting told the reporter that the leaders of several silicon material companies reached a consensus on issues such as production reduction, controlling new production start-ups, and managing sales. They have reportedly reached a basic agreement, which includes specific methods for controlling inventory. Agreements were also reached on the production and sales of polysilicon, and there are relatively clear plans for the next four months from September to December.

The government required all parties in the photovoltaic industry to deeply understand the importance of regulating competition for the high-quality development of the industry. Key aspects of the regulations are: strengthening industrial regulatory balance; curbing low-price disorderly competition; standardizing product quality; and supporting industry self-regulation.

Source: CBN, August 20, 2025
https://www.yicai.com/news/102782123.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

PLA Briefs on Parade Preparations, Emphasizes Loyalty to Xi Jinping

On August 20, the State Council Information Office held a press conference on preparations for the upcoming September 3 military parade. Major General Wu Zeke, Deputy Director of the Operations Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Joint Staff Department and Deputy Director of the Parade Leading Group Office, outlined the plans.

According to Wu, the parade will last about 70 minutes and proceed in two stages – a ceremonial review followed by a troop march-past. It will also feature demonstrations of some of the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) latest advanced weaponry designed for modern warfare.

Wu explained the deeper meaning of the parade in four areas:

  1. Affirming the PLA’s loyalty to the Communist Party. Troops maintain firm political consciousness, and are always ready to receive the review of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Central Committee and Chairman Xi, and remain loyal to the core, rally behind the core, support the core, and protect the core. {Editor’s Note: In Xi Jinping’s time, “the core” refers to Xi himself.}
  2. Commemorating victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
  3. Highlighting the PLA’s restructured force composition, including new units such as the Strategic Support Force, Space Force, Cyber Force, and Joint Logistics Support Force alongside the traditional services.
  4. Demonstrating combat readiness and the confidence to win future wars.

Source: Ministry of Defense website, August 20, 2025
http://www.mod.gov.cn/gfbw/qwfb/16403517.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military