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Wife of Singapore’s Former Prime Minister Reposts Criticism of Xi Jinping on Social Media

On April 21, Ho Ching, the wife of former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, shared on her personal Facebook page an article from the Singaporean commentary platform “Critical Spectator,” written by Polish commentator Michael Petraeus. The article criticized Xi Jinping, saying that during his 12 years in power, Xi “has behaved like a mafia boss,” and now, in the face of a tariff war, his “charm offensive” across Southeast Asia appears particularly ridiculous and laughable.

On April 23, Ho’s husband Lee Hsien Loong posted a photo showing a large group of people, but what stood out was his wife beside him, with a radiant smile.

On April 24, Ho Ching shared another article, featuring a very striking and rare image: a highly insulting photo of Xi Jinping sitting alone under the sun, wearing a mask, looking drowsy. The headline above read: “China Falls into Isolation.”

Given the relationship between Singapore and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), and considering Ho Ching’s prominent status, commentators suggest that this was likely not an unintentional “mistake.” If this were a mistake, Singapore would likely move quickly to contain the impact under pressure from the CCP. The fact that multiple such incidents have continued to happen suggests there may be significant political considerations behind them.

Sources:
1. Radio Free Asia, April 22, 2025
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/zhengzhi/2025/04/22/singapore-ho-ching-xi-jinping-godfather-us-china-trade-war/
2. Epoch Times, April 25, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/4/25/n14491230.htm

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Former President of Malaysian Senate Reports CCP United Front Outlet’s Effort to Spread Communist Ideology in Malaysia

On March 25, former Malaysian Senate President Rais Yatim held a press conference in Kuala Lumpur. He spoke of video evidence demonstrating that a group called the “Malaysia One-China Peaceful Reunification Promotion Association” is involved in organized efforts to covertly spread Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ideology in Malaysia.

Public records identify the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification (CCPPR) as a Chinese Communist Party-led (CCP-led) united front group operating globally under the guise of a civil organization. It is administered under the CCP’s United Front Work Department. Its overseas branches reportedly coordinate with Beijing, influence public opinion, and aim to expand CCP global influence.

Yatim reported the matter to the police, citing growing concerns over communist influence in Malaysia, including students being asked to sing Chinese patriotic songs and the raising of China’s flag in Malaysia. Malaysian police reportedly started an investigation into the association’s activities on March 26.

Source: Epoch Times, March 30, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/3/30/n14470618.htm

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China Held TikTok Campaign to Promote Chinese-Made Counterfeit Luxury Goods

A large number of videos from Chinese merchants have emerged on TikTok almost simultaneously. The content is largely similar, often presented in the name of factory personnel, primarily targeting luxury brands such as Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Chanel. These short videos either feature English narration or are accompanied by English subtitles, promoting the idea that the factory prices of these high-end luxury goods in China are very low, and that the prices soar only after being labeled in Europe and the U.S.. The videos encourage consumers to purchase directly from Chinese factories.

These videos have driven the rapid rise in app store downloads in the U.S. for Chinese e-commerce platforms like DHgate and Taobao. However, DHgate, Taobao, and Pinduoduo have repeatedly been listed in the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) annual Notorious Markets list for allegedly participating in or facilitating large-scale trademark counterfeiting or copyright infringement.

These promoted Chinese products are highly likely to be counterfeit. Lululemon clarified that the company does not collaborate with the manufacturer mentioned in the online videos. Hermès stated that 100 percent of its leather goods are made in France. Louis Vuitton also noted that its leather goods are all produced in Europe and the U.S.

French media outlets, after conducting fact-checks, indicated that this appears to be a coordinated propaganda effort, as the videos are highly similar in terms of upload dates, content, and format.

Hong Kong’s new media Economic Daily reported on April 18 that these TikTok efforts aim to bypass tariff barriers, revealing the survival crisis facing Chinese factories amid the sudden escalation of the U.S.-China trade war. There are also reports that many manufacturers of furniture, appliances, and clothing in China’s eastern coastal provinces exist primarily to serve U.S. consumers. With tariffs taking effect, these products may face the dilemma of having no market.

Source: Epoch Times, April 19, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/4/19/n14486453.htm

Briefings | | |   @CS Economy/Resources Geo-Strategic Trend US-China Relations

CCTV: China Working With Many Countries to Counter Abusive U.S. Tariffs

The Chinese Commuist Party’s mouthpiece China Central Television (CCTV) published an article under its YuYuanTanTian (玉渊谭天) account on various social media platforms. The following is an excerpt from the article:

In recent days, Chinese Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao has been actively engaging in intensive communications with various counterparts:

  • April 8: Held a video meeting with Maroš Šefčovič, European Commission’s Executive Vice President for Trade and Economic Security
  • April 9: Video call with Tengku Zafrul, Minister of Investment, Trade, and Industry of Malaysia, current ASEAN chair
  • April 10: Video call with Ebrahim Patel, Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition of South Africa, current G20 chair
  • April 10: Video call with Majid Al-Qasabi, Minister of Commerce of Saudi Arabia
  • April 11: Video call with Geraldo Alckmin, Vice President of Brazil and Minister of Development, Industry, Trade and Services, current BRICS chair
  • April 11: Video call with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization

According to sources close to the matter, a central topic in all of these conversations has been how to respond to the U.S.’s so-called “reciprocal” tariffs. China plans to continue strengthening communication and cooperation with more countries on this issue.

The author has noted that U.S. tariff policies have drawn widespread opposition. China is actively rallying support to uphold fairness and justice in global trade. China’s strategy is to unite with all possible allies, including, but not limited to EU, where China is the EU’s largest importer and the EU is China’s second-largest trading partner; and ASEAN, where China and ASEAN have been each other’s top trading partners for five consecutive years.

China’s stance is clear: Other countries are free to retaliate against or negotiate with the U.S. – that is their sovereign decision. But if anyone uses China’s interests as a bargaining chip to curry favor with the U.S., China will never tolerate it.

Source: CCTV, April 14, 2025
https://news.cctv.com/2025/04/14/ARTI88rHGnrBwbnVIDZMwDFC250414.shtml

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Canadian Liberal MP Paul Chiang Withdraws From Race for Improperly Taking CCP’s Position

Canadian Liberal MP Paul Chiang (蒋振宇), who currently represents the district of Markham–Unionville in Ontario, has withdrawn from Canada’s 2025 federal election following a scandal around remarks he made at a Chinese-language media news conference in January. Chiang had stated that Joe Tay (郑敬基), who was then seeking the Conservative nomination in the Markham–Unionville, should be brought to the Toronto Chinese Consulate in exchange for a 1 million HKD bounty that had been placed on Tay by the Hong Kong Police.

Joe Tay had relocated to Canada and had launched an online media platform there. The Hong Kong National Security Police placed him on a HK$ 1 million (US$ 129,000) wanted list last year; Tay has claimed this was an attempt by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to cripple his candidacy in the Canadian Member of Parliament (MP) election for Markham–Unionville.

Paul Chiang, the incumbent Liberal MP and a former local police officer, stated in an interview with a local Chinese newspaper that Tay is wanted by the Hong Kong authorities and whoever took Tay to the Chinese consulate could earn the HK$ 1 million reward.

On March 25, the Toronto Association for Democracy in China (TADC) organization condemned Chiang’s remarks, accusing him of aiding CCP’s transnational repression and endangering Canadian citizens.

Chiang’s team first responded that Chiang’s comment was meant as a joke. Chiang formally apologized on the X platform, saying on March 28 that his statement had been inappropriate. Over 40 organizations soon issued a joint statement rejecting his apology as “insincere,” urging the Liberal Party to revoke his candidacy.

On March 31, Chiang announced his withdrawal from the election.

The Canada-Hong Kong Link (港加联), one of the groups pushing for Chiang’s resignation, called his withdrawal “a small victory for the people”, vowing to closely monitor all candidates to “eliminate the CCP’s infiltration.”

Source: Radio France International, April 2, 2025
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/中国/20250402-曾着人把郑敬基送中领馆取百万悬红-前警长蒋振宇宣布退选加国议会

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People’s Daily on China’s International Vocational Education Program

CCP mouthpiece People’s Daily recently reported that Chinese vocational colleges are actively engaging in “internationalization” through a dual approach. The following are key points from that article.

On one hand, Chinese vocational colleges focus on “bringing in” (i.e. attracting and training) international students and conducting various global exchange activities. On the other hand, they pursue high-quality “going out” initiatives such as establishing overseas educational collaborations and creating international education brands including the Luban Workshop, the Chinese Language Workshop, and the Modern Craftsman Academy. “The ‘Chinese + Vocational Skills’ model not only enhances foreign learners’ employability and cross-cultural communication skills but also supports deeper international industrial cooperation and the integration of industry and education.” Training qualified faculty is seen as a key factor.

On one hand, the teachers should have effective Chinese language teaching skills and the ability to promote Chinese culture. Currently, Beijing has established 19 international Chinese language teacher training centers in China to enhance teachers’ professional competence and teaching abilities. These centers primarily train Chinese teachers and volunteers from vocational schools.

On the other hand, vocational skills training for overseas faculty is also a priority. In November 2020, the first national “Chinese + Vocational Skills” International Promotion Base was launched by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation under China’s Ministry of Education and Nanjing Vocational University of Industry Technology. To date, the base has conducted over 20 overseas teacher training programs, training more than 4,000 local (foreign) educators in countries and regions involved in the Belt and Road Initiative.

In addition to training programs, the base also released the bilingual textbook series – New Silk Road “Chinese + Vocational Skills” – in December 2023. Covering six disciplines, including mechatronics, automotive service engineering, and network engineering, the series consists of 19 volumes spanning beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels. The textbooks were developed based on on-site research into the use of Chinese in 15 job categories in the ASEAN countries. Language teachers and technical experts collaborated through mutual training and joint discussions, presenting typical work tasks and scenarios in progressively structured and easily understandable Chinese, supplemented with English explanations.

Source: People’s Daily, March 21, 2025
http://edu.people.com.cn/n1/2025/0321/c1006-40443517.html

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Japan Rebuts Claim by Beijing Regarding Statement by Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba on Taiwan-China Reunification

Following a meeting in Tokyo on March 21, 2025, between Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a clarification contradicting a claim by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had published text on its website stating that Ishiba had said he “respects China’s stated position” on China-Taiwan reunification; the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied that Ishiba had made such a statement.

The disputed text on the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs website stated “The Japanese side fully recognizes the importance of the four political documents between Japan and China, respects China’s stated position, and is willing to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with China to promote the development of bilateral relations, bringing greater benefits to the people of both countries.” Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that “Prime Minister Ishiba did not make such a statement” in regard to the phrase “respects China’s stated position.” The Japanese Ministry has lodged a protest with Beijing.

As of this writing, China’s Foreign Ministry website has not removed the text that was inserted into Ishiba’s statement. Instead, China’s Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Guo Jiakun said that Japan should “adhere to the four China-Japan political documents” at a press conference on March 24, 2025. At the conference, a reporter for the China Review News Agency asked Guo for China’s position on the “four China-Japan political documents.” Guo said that those documents, including the 1972 China-Japan Joint Statement and the 1978 China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship, “constitute legally binding guidelines for bilateral relations.“ He further stated, “The historical context and legal basis clearly demonstrate that adhering to the One-China principle is a solemn political commitment and an international legal obligation that Japan must uphold.” “The rhetoric such as ‘a Taiwan contingency is a Japan contingency’ and claims that the China-Japan Joint Statement lacks legal binding force’ severely undermine the political foundation of China-Japan relations are not only completely wrong but also extremely dangerous. We urge Japan to honor its commitments, handle the Taiwan issue prudently, and take concrete actions to sustain the momentum of improving China-Japan relations.”

Sources:
1. China News Agency (Taiwan), March 22, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202503220243.aspx
2. China’s Foreign Affairs’ Ministry website, March 21, 2025
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/web/wjb_673085/zzjg_673183/xws_674681/xgxw_674683/202503/t20250321_11580043.shtml

3. China’s Foreign Affairs’ Ministry website, March 24, 2025
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/web/fyrbt_673021/202503/t20250324_11580936.shtml

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