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TikTok Fulfilling CCP’s United Front Strategy to Brainwash Taiwanese Youth

Eric Hsu, a researcher at the Taiwan Democracy Lab, shared findings on how TikTok (Chinese version is called Douyin) is used in the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP’s) united front strategy toward Taiwan. A 2025 survey conducted by the lab revealed that TikTok appeals to Taiwanese teens with trendy, short, and algorithm-driven content. However, after entertainment videos, the app often pushes two to three videos of political content related to war, cross-strait unity, as well as political corruption and legislative chaos in Taiwan.

Many teens surveyed see the CCP as efficient but authoritarian and believe its governance model may be necessary for managing such a large country. They feel TikTok offers a more “real” view of China and perceive that cross-strait differences are mostly political.

The study suggests TikTok is used to stir negative emotions, undermine trust in Taiwan’s democracy, and promote unification narratives. Some teens believe unification wouldn’t affect ordinary people much. They view war (CCP’s taking over Taiwan by military) as terrifying and are concerned for their loved ones’ safety; some say they might choose surrender.

TikTok also contains harmful content like cyberbullying and child exploitation, which the study says deserves more serious attention in Taiwan.

Source: Epoch Times, July 25, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/7/24/n14559632.htm

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

Chinese Land Purchases on Japanese Island Raise Security Concerns

Japanese media report that in recent years, Chinese capital has increasingly targeted islands in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan. Delegations from Dalian, China toured Kasasa Island, and Chinese nationals living in Tokyo and Saitama have also offered high prices to acquire land there.

A recent concern is that a Chinese national has quietly bought over 3,600 square meters of land on Kasasa Island, a small island near Yamaguchi Prefecture with only seven residents. The buyer cleared land, improved roads, and installed utility poles, allegedly to build private villas and a yacht dock.

Residents are alarmed due to the island’s proximity to key military sites, including the Kure Naval Base and former Etajima Army artillery facilities. They fear the land could be used for surveillance or other strategic purposes, especially since the Chinese National Defense Mobilization Law and Intelligence Law require Chinese citizens to cooperate with government orders, even abroad.

Although Japan passed the Important Land Survey Law in 2022 to investigate sensitive land sales, critics say it lacks enforcement power. Local officials warn Kasasa Island could become a Chinese-controlled outpost or drone base, likening it to a form of covert occupation.

Source: Epoch Times, July 29, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/7/28/n14562444.htm

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China-Made Nitazenes – 5 Times Stronger Than Fentanyl – Spreading in Europe

New synthetic opioids from China called Nitazenes – up to 5 times more potent than fentanyl – are rapidly spreading in Scotland and other parts of Europe. Scotland’s public health agency reported 312 suspected drug deaths from March to May, a 15 percent increase, with 6 percent involving Nitazenes – likely an undercount due to testing limitations. Naloxone use (an emergency antidote for opioid overdoses) rose 45 percent, and ER visits by 19 percent.

Nitazenes, appearing in the UK and Baltic markets since 2022, are lethal and are often mixed into heroin, fake pills, and recreational drugs, making them hard to detect. Chinese suppliers openly market them online, using real identities, phone numbers, and Chinese or Hong Kong business addresses. Some even ship disguised packages in dog food bags or mislabeled as other goods.

A Wall Street Journal report found 100+ sellers offering Nitazenes like etonitazene (15× stronger than fentanyl) on platforms like TradeKey (a Pakistani website), with promises to bypass customs.

According to a BBC investigation, dozens of Chinese vendors advertise on Western social platforms, ship directly from Chinese labs, and provide tracking numbers. Some claim to be legitimate companies, offering bulk discounts and even advice on illegal sales.

Experts warn the Nitazene trade is supply-driven, not demand-driven, and could cause a public health disaster if organized crime scales up distribution across Europe.

Source: Epoch Times, August 1, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/7/31/n14564771.htm

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China and Russia Hold “Joint Sea-2025” Naval Exercise

According to Xinhua News Agency, the China-Russia “Joint Sea-2025” naval exercise officially began on August 1 at a naval port in Vladivostok, Russia. Themed “Jointly Safeguarding Strategic Sea Lanes and Responding to Security Threats in the Western Pacific,” the exercise aims to further deepen the China-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination and enhance their joint capacity to maintain international and regional peace and stability.

China’s participating forces include the missile destroyers Shaoxing and Urumqi, the comprehensive supply ship Qiandaohu, the multi-purpose rescue ship Xihu, as well as fixed-wing aircraft, shipborne helicopters, and marine corps personnel.

Russia has dispatched the large anti-submarine ship Admiral Tributs, the light frigate Loud, the rescue ship Belousov, fixed-wing aircraft, shipborne helicopters, and marine coprs personnel.

From August 3 to 5, Chinese and Russian naval vessels will conduct a three-day joint maritime drill in the sea and airspace near Vladivostok. The exercise will cover submarine rescue, joint anti-submarine warfare, air and missile defense, and maritime combat operations. It will also include live-fire drills to test the results of the earlier joint planning discussions.

After the exercise concludes, China and Russia will also carry out a joint naval patrol in relevant areas of the Pacific Ocean.

Since 2012, the “Joint Sea” series of exercises has been held ten times, becoming an important platform for China-Russia naval cooperation and significantly boosting their capacity for joint maritime operations.

Sources:
1. Xinhua, August 1, 2025
http://www.xinhuanet.com/20250801/8c94598a810c439397ffcf339e10861b/c.html
2. Xinhua, August 3, 2025
http://www.news.cn/world/20250803/5171f70e6c4540dbac55ed8410ec5ece/c.html

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China’s Defense Ministry Responds to Largest-Ever U.S. Air Force Exercise: China is “Confident in Handling all Risks and Challenges”

At a regular press briefing on July 30, China’s Ministry of National Defense was asked to comment on the U.S. Air Force’s recent launch of “Mobility Guardian,” its largest-ever exercise in the Western Pacific. The operation aims to test combat concepts such as Agile Combat Employment and marks a significant intensification of the U.S. “Indo-Pacific strategy.”

Ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang responded by saying, “The Pacific should remain a region of peace – not a theater for those who seek to stir up trouble.” He criticized the U.S. for clinging to Cold War-era thinking, showcasing military strength in the Asia-Pacific, using exercises as a pretext to build alliances, and exerting pressure on other nations – actions he said undermine regional peace and stability.

“No matter how fierce the storm, we remain steady at the helm,” Zhang added. He emphasized that China’s military is fully confident and capable of handling all risks and challenges, and will resolutely defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests. He also claimed China’s role as a steadfast force for regional and global peace.

Source: Huanqiu Times, July 30, 2025
https://mil.huanqiu.com/article/4NhooICt6sW

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Beijing Demands Ukraine Immediately Retract its Sanctions on Chinese Entities

On July 28, 2025, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed the issue at a regular press conference.

A reporter from Russia Today asked: On Sunday (July 27), Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced he had approved a new round of sanctions proposed by Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council. The 18th package, which has officially taken effect, targets 53 individuals and entities, including some from China. What is China’s response?

Guo Jiakun stated: “China firmly opposes all forms of unilateral sanctions that lack a basis in international law and are not authorized by the UN Security Council. We urge the Ukrainian side to immediately correct this erroneous decision and mitigate its negative consequences. China will take all necessary measures to resolutely safeguard the lawful rights and interests of Chinese businesses and individuals.”

Source: China Ministry of Foreign Affairs website, July 28, 2025
https://www.mfa.gov.cn/fyrbt_673021/202507/t20250728_11678284.shtml

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Leadership Shake-up in China’s People’s Armed Police: Commander Wang Chunning Disappears, Acting Chief Steps In

Wang Chunning (王春宁), commander of China’s People’s Armed Police (PAP), has been absent from public view since late last year and is rumored to be under investigation.

On July 21, the 15th National Commendation Conference for Heroes and Role Models of Courageous Acts was held in Beijing. According to reports from Legal Daily and Procuratorial Daily the following day, Cao Junzhang (曹均章), serving as the acting commander of the PAP, attended the event in an official capacity.

Born in 1965 and holding the rank of lieutenant general, Cao has had a long military career in the former Chengdu Military Region. His previous roles include Director of the Operations Department, Commander of a division within the Army’s 13th Group Army, Deputy Commander of that army, and later Deputy Commander of the 76th Group Army.

Political analysts believe the current shift in leadership signals that the PAP remains firmly under the influence of Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission. Cao’s background links him to Zhang, as the 13th Group Army had long been under Zhang’s command. Another deputy commander of the PAP, Fu Wenhua (付文化), also hails from the 16th Group Army in the Shenyang Military Region –  Zhang’s power base.

The PAP plays a critical role in China’s internal security structure and is frequently deployed to suppress public dissent.

Source: Epoch Times, July 24, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/7/24/n14559438.htm

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