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Monthly Archives: August 2025 - 8. page

PLA Adopts New Military Training System with Three-Tier Support Model

According to the Training and Administration Department of the Central Military Commission, China’s military is accelerating the development of a new military training system by introducing a “three-tier support operation model.”

Basic Training:
Support is provided locally and conveniently according to standards, focusing on “intensive specialization.” On the basis of standardizing training facilities at the brigade level or below, multiple support zones are designated based on the distribution and density of military camps and training grounds across the country. This enables basic training to be conducted either within or near the unit’s garrison area by integrating nearby resources.

Combined Arms Training:
Support is shared and jointly built across services and arms, with a focus on “grouped confrontation.” Responsibilities and pathways for matching demand and supply within and across service branches are clarified. Military units at or above corps level take the lead in establishing collaborative zones across branches to enable cross-regional sharing of key resources, regional sharing of scattered resources, and sharing between the military and civil sectors of scarce resources.

Joint Training:
A system-wide support mechanism integrating virtual and real elements across all domains focuses on “systemic optimization.” By building a unified training network architecture, promoting the interconnectivity of training venues, and developing a multi-level, real-time, heterogeneous, and integrated training space, the system creates a large-scale, multi-dimensional, cross-domain training environment.

Source: People’s Daily, July 21, 2025
http://military.people.com.cn/n1/2025/0721/c1011-40526278.html

Chinese Report Reveals US Intelligence Cyberattacks on Chinese Defense Contractors

China’s National Computer Network Emergency Response Technical Team (CNCERT) has reported a significant escalation in cyberattacks by US intelligence agencies targeting Chinese defense and high-tech sectors. According to the China Cybersecurity Association, these attacks specifically aim to steal sensitive military research data and core production information from universities, research institutes, and defense contractors.

The attacks intensified after the 2022 exposure of NSA cyberattacks on Northwestern Polytechnical University. Since then, US intelligence agencies have conducted increasingly sophisticated operations against China’s defense industrial base.

The first case occurred from July 2022 to July 2023, where attackers exploited a Microsoft Exchange zero-day vulnerability to control a major military contractor’s email servers for nearly a year. The attackers compromised the company’s domain controller, gained access to over 50 critical devices, and established persistent backdoors. Using proxy servers in Germany, Finland, South Korea, and Singapore, they launched more than 40 attacks and stole emails from 11 executives, including sensitive military product designs and system parameters.

The second case ran from July to November 2024, targeting a communications and satellite internet defense company. Attackers used proxy IPs from Romania and the Netherlands to exploit unauthorized access and SQL injection vulnerabilities. They planted memory backdoors, infected over 300 devices, and specifically searched for keywords like “military network” and “core network” to steal classified data.

The report indicates that in 2024 alone, foreign state-sponsored Advanced Persistent Threat (APT) groups launched over 600 cyberattacks against Chinese critical infrastructure, with defense contractors being the primary target. US intelligence-backed groups demonstrate particular sophistication through organized attack teams, extensive support systems, and advanced vulnerability exploitation capabilities, posing serious threats to China’s national cybersecurity.

Source: Sputnik News, August 1, 2025
https://sputniknews.cn/20250801/1066658052.html

CNA: Beijing Assessing Cybersecurity Risks of Using Nvidia H20 Chips

Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) recently reported that the Chinese authorities questioned Nvidia regarding potential security breaches affecting its H20 chips. Nvidia said its H20 products do not contain backdoors that could allow for remote access or control.

China’s Cyberspace Administration (CAC), the cybersecurity regulator, has expressed concern about a U.S. proposal requiring advanced chips exported overseas to have tracking and location capabilities. While the U.S. had just allowed Nvidia to resume exports of its H20 chips to China, the CAC summoned Nvidia to clarify the risks, casting uncertainty over Nvidia’s continued shipments to China. The CAC asked Nvidia to explain whether the H20 chip poses any backdoor security risks, citing concerns about the data and privacy of users in China.

A spokesperson for Nvidia said in a statement: “Cybersecurity is of paramount importance to us. Nvidia chips do not contain any backdoors that could allow anyone to remotely access or control them.”

The U.S. banned Nvidia from selling its H20 chips to China in April, only to allow them to be sold in July. Nvidia developed the H20 chip earlier specifically for the Chinese market.

Source: CNA, August 1, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202508010006.aspx

China Strengthens Policies to Combat Over-competition in EV and Solar Energy

China has recently intensified efforts to combat cutthroat competition across key industries, with the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) convening a meeting on July 28th to outline priorities for the second half of the year. The ministry specifically targeted the new energy vehicle and solar energy sectors for enhanced governance, aiming to raise industry standards and force inefficient capacity to exit the market.

The national conference of industrial and information technology officials in Beijing outlined eight key focus areas for the remainder of the year, including expanding domestic demand, clearing outstanding corporate debts, advancing high-quality development in key industrial chains, promoting integration between technological and industrial innovation, and accelerating reform implementation to address race-to-the-bottom competition—defined as ineffective competition that lacks beneficial outcomes.

MIIT emphasized strengthening governance in the new energy vehicle and solar energy industries, using elevated standards to eliminate backward production capacity. The ministry indicated that relevant departments are working to establish comprehensive long-term mechanisms to combat over-competition, with related institutional and legal regulatory systems becoming increasingly refined.

The campaign has gained momentum across multiple sectors, with industry associations in steel, cement, battery, and plastic processing issuing calls against disorderly competition. According to Wei Qijia, director of the Industrial Economics Research Office at the National Information Center’s Economic Forecasting Department, this comprehensive approach targets improper practices that violate market and industrial development principles, aiming to better leverage market mechanisms in resource allocation.

Recent data shows positive price changes in affected industries. In June, conventional and new energy vehicle manufacturing prices rose 0.5% and 0.3% respectively month-over-month. Solar equipment and electronic component manufacturing prices fell 10.9% year-over-year, though the decline narrowed by 1.2 percentage points. Lithium-ion battery manufacturing prices dropped 4.8% compared to the previous year, with the decline narrowing by 0.2 percentage points.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), July 30, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202507300171.aspx

Lianhe Zaobao: China to Push Large-Scale Commercial Application of AI

Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that the State Council of China just emphasized at its latest executive meeting the need to promote the large-scale commercial application of AI to accelerate the popularization and deep integration of AI across the fields of economic and social development.

The State Council meeting reviewed and approved the “Action Plan for Deepening the Implementation of AI+.” The meeting called for “vigorously promoting” the large-scale commercial application of AI, taking full advantage of China’s complete industrial system, large market scale, and rich application scenarios. It also aims to achieve deep integration of AI in all areas of economic and social development. The meeting proposed that efforts should be made to optimize the AI innovation ecosystem, increase government policy support, strengthen talent pool building, and build an open ecosystem to provide strong support for the development and growth of the industry.

On July 23, the U.S. President announced an AI Action Plan aimed at strengthening U.S. dominance in AI. Three days later, the Chinese government released the Action Plan for Global AI Governance at the World AI Conference in Shanghai. At the conference, Chinese Premier Li Qiang also proposed the establishment of a World AI Cooperation Organization. China hopes the organization can promote practical cooperation in the field of AI and is considering setting up its headquarters in Shanghai.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, August 1, 2025
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/china/story20250801-7257930

Chinese Authorities Issue Internet Censorship Guidelines Regarding Posts About Devastating Floods

China’s Ministry of Public Security has issued new guidelines for online behavior as the country grapples with widespread flooding that has resulted in rising death tolls and missing persons. The directive comes as authorities have been actively deleting social media posts and images documenting the disaster’s impact.

The Cybersecurity Bureau under MPS, which oversees internet speech, released an “Initiative for Maintaining Network Order During Flood Prevention and Disaster Relief” targeting online information sharing during this critical period. The initiative emphasizes that a “positive and healthy internet environment” is essential for building social consensus and supporting disaster relief efforts.

The guidelines present three main requirements for internet users: strengthening legal awareness and ensuring the orderly transmission of information; enhancing prevention capabilities and improving the ability to identify rumors; and fulfilling social responsibilities through active monitoring and reporting.

Citizens are instructed to obtain flood-related information only through “official authoritative platforms and legitimate news media.” The directive explicitly warns against believing, publishing, forwarding, or commenting on any information that hasn’t received official confirmation. Users must carefully verify the reliability of sources and authenticity of content, remaining vigilant against messages that are vague, from unknown sources, or contradict official releases.

The initiative calls for active reporting of “suspected rumors and false information” to relevant platforms or police departments, emphasizing the need to create a “good atmosphere of universal supervision.” Authorities warn that those who deliberately fabricate or spread false disaster-related information will face serious legal consequences.

The guidelines conclude by urging citizens to demonstrate “high self-discipline and rational behavior” to generate “powerful positive internet energy” for flood relief efforts, ensuring false information has “nowhere to hide” while maintaining clarity and tranquility in the online space.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), August 2, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202508020177.aspx

China News: China’s July Manufacturing PMI Stays in Contraction Territory

China News recently reported that due to the manufacturing industry entering the traditional off-season, high temperatures in some areas, heavy rains and floods, China’s manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell to 49.3 percent in July – according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics.

In the manufacturing PMI, the production sub-index and new orders sub-index were 50.5 percent and 49.4 percent respectively, both down from the previous month. Manufacturing production activities continued to expand, while market demand slowed down. The raw materials price sub-index and the ex-factory price sub-index were 51.5 percent and 48.3 percent respectively. This indicates the overall factory price level in the manufacturing market continues to drop.

In July, the PMI for large enterprises was 50.3 percent, down 0.9 percentage points from the previous month. The PMI for medium-sized enterprises was 49.5 percent, up 0.9 percent from June. The PMI for small enterprises fell again to 46.4 percent.

Source: China News, July 31, 2025
https://www.chinanews.com.cn/cj/2025/07-31/10456794.shtml