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Luban Workshop: The CCP’s New Global Expansion Tool After the Confucius Institute

Following the global rollout of Confucius Institutes, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has launched another initiative to expand its influence abroad: the Luban Workshop, named after the ancient Chinese craftsman Lu Ban. Branded as an international cooperation project, it is officially described as a platform to share China’s vocational education expertise with the world. The first Luban Workshop was established in Thailand in 2016 by Tianjin Bohai Vocational Technical College.

Since then, China has set up 36 Luban Workshops in 30 countries across Asia, Africa, and Europe, spanning regions such as Central Asia, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), and ASEAN. Tianjin alone is responsible for 25 workshops in 23 countries, including 10 in SCO states. Recent developments include:

  • August 30, 2025: Kazakhstan inaugurated its second and third Luban Workshops, following its first in 2023.
  • August 31 – September 1, 2025: During the SCO Summit, China organized visits for foreign representatives and media to a Luban Workshop in Tianjin.
  • Early September 2025: Nepal opened its first Luban Workshop in Lalitpur, Kathmandu Valley, combining Chinese-language instruction with training in electric power technologies to cultivate local technical and managerial talent.

The workshops serve multiple purposes: they train local workers to staff Chinese-built infrastructure projects such as high-speed railways and smart logistics systems, while also functioning as a vehicle for cultural and people-to-people exchange. Ultimately, the CCP views the Luban Workshop as both a vocational training platform and a soft-power instrument, seeking to strengthen its branding and expand China’s global influence.

Sources:
1. People’s Daily, September 8, 2025
https://paper.people.com.cn/rmrbhwb/pc/content/202509/08/content_30103645.html
2. People’s Daily, September 5, 2025
http://edu.people.com.cn/BIG5/n1/2025/0905/c1006-40557449.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Economy/Resources Geo-Strategic Trend

Rapid Rise of Pediatric Organ Transplants in China Raises Ethical Concerns

Over the past decade, China has seen a sharp increase in pediatric organ transplants. Leading hospitals claim to have completed thousands of liver transplants for children, with some provincial centers boasting “multiple same-day” pediatric surgeries. Regulatory authorities have also approved pediatric-specific immunosuppressants. In contrast to the global scarcity of child organ donors, China often claims short waiting times and abundant donors.

The World Organization to Investigate the Persecution of Falun Gong (WOIPFG) published an in-depth investigation, raising a critical question: Where are these organs coming from?

Key Findings:

  1. Surge in Transplant Numbers
    • Shanghai’s Renji Hospital alone claims over 3,000 pediatric liver transplants, asserting the highest annual volumes globally.
    • By comparison, the U.S. performs about 500–600 pediatric liver transplants annually.
    • Such rapid growth in China reflects not only technical advances but also unusually high organ availability.
  2. Unusual Donor Patterns
    • Extremely short waiting times and “multiple same-day” surgeries (e.g., Wuhan Union Hospital’s three pediatric heart transplants in one day) defy global norms, raising questions about donor source coordination.
    • Promotions offering “free pediatric liver transplants” in Jilin Province suggest unusually high donor availability.
    • Publicized organ procurement fee schedules in some provinces raise concerns about the emergence of an organ market.
  3. Ethical Concerns Over Pediatric and Infant Donors
    • Academic reports include transplanting kidneys from infants (<1 year old) to adults or young recipients.
    • Reports of very low-weight, very young donors have drawn scrutiny from overseas neonatal experts, particularly regarding withdrawal of life support and brain death determinations.
    • While infant organs have biological advantages, a lack of regulatory oversight raises severe ethical risks, including potential organ trafficking.
  4. High-Level Projects and Political Context
    • Reports have emerged about the “981 Project” and other longevity initiatives linked to China’s senior political and military officials, suggesting multi-organ transplants for life extension. Xi Jinping reportedly acknowledged such practices in public remarks in 2025.

Conclusion
China’s rapid expansion of pediatric organ transplantation represents a clinical advance but a step backward in governance and transparency. The lack of clear oversight of donor sources creates grave ethical risks, especially for vulnerable children and infants. Independent, third-party verification is essential to prevent abuse, stop illegal trafficking, and ensure that the growth and commercialization of pediatric organ transplants adhere to moral and legal boundaries.

Source: WOIPFG, September 13, 2025
https://www.zhuichaguoji.org/node/145737#_ednrefz9

Briefings | | |   @CS Social Stability

Investigation Reveals CCP Establishes Covert Party Branches on U.S. University Campuses

A Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) investigation has found that Chinese Communist Party (CCP) members studying at U.S. universities have established overseas CCP party branches on campus, supported by their home institutions in China. These branches exist without official registration at the universities and have been identified at Oklahoma State University (OSU), University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL), and University of Colorado–Denver (UCD). They are linked to Chinese universities such as Northwest A&F University (NWAFU) and China Agricultural University (CAU). Over twenty CCP members are confirmed to be involved, with some continuing graduate studies at other U.S. universities, raising concerns about foreign influence and national security.

These overseas branches operate under CCP policy, which requires a branch wherever three or more party members are present. NWAFU’s “3+1” program at UNL, for example, sends Chinese students to study in the U.S. and has been used as a platform to establish a CCP branch that promotes ideological education. Activities include political seminars before departure, online ideological discussions abroad, and fostering a mission of “serving the Party and the country.” Branch members explicitly promote CCP narratives and ideology as part of their mission, integrating political education into academic exchange programs.

Branches also engage in coordinated propaganda work. CAU’s International College, in partnership with UCD and OSU, directs its overseas branches to “tell the China (CCP) story” and requires political training for participating students. Activities have included organized campus events to view CCP political meetings. While U.S. universities state they do not track students’ political affiliations, the investigation exposes a lack of transparency and oversight, raising serious concerns about covert CCP influence in American higher education and the need for closer scrutiny of foreign academic programs.

Source: Epoch Times, September 24, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/9/23/n14601186.htm

Briefings | | |   @CS Government/Politics US-China Relations

China’s Declining Birth Rate Sparks Nationwide Kindergarten Closures

China is facing a mounting crisis in early childhood education as declining marriage and birth rates lead to a sharp drop in newborns. According to a 2024 statistical report from the Ministry of Education, the number of kindergartens nationwide fell from 274,400 to 253,300, with 21,100 closures in a single year. Private kindergartens accounted for the bulk of the decline, with over 18,000 shutting down. The sector is further strained by a dramatic reduction in preschool teachers, with 241,800 losing their jobs in 2024 alone – an average of more than 600 per day. Experts predict that by 2025, roughly 26,000 kindergartens could close, and by 2030, only about 163,700 are expected to remain, averaging 15,000 closures annually.

Commentators warn that this wave of kindergarten closures reflects a broader demographic challenge: China’s birth rate has been declining sharply since 2016. Soaring living costs, skyrocketing housing prices, and childcare expenses consuming more than 50 percent of family income have left many young couples struggling, particularly working women who must balance careers and childbearing. Analysts note that young people are not unwilling to have children – they simply cannot afford to raise them.

If the trend continues, the consequences could ripple across the education system, affecting elementary and secondary schools as well as universities. In addition, the shrinking population could impact workforce supply and pension sustainability.

Source: Epoch Times, September 20, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/9/20/n14598656.htm

Briefings | | |   @CS Social Stability

CCP Wolf Warrior in Denmark Rebuked After Demanding Expulsion of Taiwan Representative from Japanese Diplomatic Reception

In February this year, Wang Xuefeng, China’s ambassador to Denmark appointed in 2024, openly demanded at a reception hosted by the Japanese Embassy in Copenhagen that the Taiwanese representative leave immediately, threatening to lodge a formal protest otherwise. Both Japan and Denmark ignored Wang’s demand and stood firm. Under the tense atmosphere, Wang resorted to pointing at the Taiwanese representative with a menacing expression before hastily leaving the venue in embarrassment.

Analysts noted that Wang’s behavior flagrantly violated diplomatic protocol, offending not only the host nation, Japan, but also Denmark as the host country. The incident highlighted Beijing’s disregard for international norms and diplomatic etiquette, offering Denmark’s diplomatic community a clearer view of the Chinese Communist Party’s abrasive and heavy-handed conduct.

Source: Epoch Times, September 16, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/9/16/n14595561.htm

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

Beijing Detains Chinese International Student During Trip to Visit Family in China, Charged with Supporting Tibetan Independence

The Chinese Youth Support Tibet Association reported on September 20 that Zhang Yadi, a Chinese student who had been studying in France, returned to China in July to visit her family and then went missing for several days. On July 31, she was taken into criminal detention by the National Security Bureau in Changsha, Hunan Province, on suspicion of “inciting national separatism.” Lawyers appointed by her family were denied access to meet her, with authorities citing “state secrets” as the reason.

While studying in Paris, Zhang, fluent in Chinese, Tibetan, English, and French, actively engaged in academic and social issues. She supported the Blank Paper Movement – a protest against China’s zero-COVID and lockdown policies – and contributed to the editorial work of the Chinese Youth Support Tibet Association. The platform, which emerged after the movement, seeks to rally Chinese youth in support of Tibet, promote Tibetan culture, ease ethnic tensions, and advance transitional justice and reconciliation.

Analysts say Zhang’s detention reflects the Chinese Communist Party’s transnational crackdown. The CCP is closely monitoring Chinese students’ human rights activities abroad, fostering a climate of fear that extends even to those overseas.

Source: Central News Agency, September 20, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202509200189.aspx

Briefings | | |   @CS Government/Politics

Commentary on China’s Xiangshan Forum

The Xiangshan Forum, organized by China, is designed as a counterpart to the Western-led Shangri-La Dialogue, promoting an “Eastern security order” under Beijing’s leadership and consolidating its network of preferred allies. The 2025 forum was held from September 17 to 19.

China’s Message
In his keynote speech, Defense Minister Dong Jun made the following points:

  1. Emphasized China’s commitment to upholding international order while firmly opposing any “Taiwan independence” efforts, stating that China is prepared to counter external military interventions.
  2. Criticized certain foreign nations for invoking “freedom of navigation” in the South China Sea and citing international arbitration in ways that challenge fundamental principles of international relations.
  3. Highlighted the importance of maintaining a “UN-centered international system” as the framework for global peace and stability.

Reduced Prestige and Media Coverage
Analysts noted that this year’s forum appeared less prestigious than expected. Traditionally, a high-profile Xiangshan Forum requires three elements: a congratulatory letter from Xi Jinping, a keynote speech by the defense minister, and front-page coverage by central media such as Xinhua and People’s Daily. This year, Xi Jinping’s congratulatory letter was absent, signaling a downgrade in the forum’s status. Although Dong Jun delivered a keynote again, Xinhua’s coverage omitted photos of him speaking, in contrast to last year’s reports, which featured large images highlighting his presence. The official Xinhua release this year contained only 382 words, whereas minor events, such as a dinner hosted by Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, received nearly 600 words of coverage.

Lower Level of U.S. Representation
Foreign participation also declined. The Pentagon reported that the U.S. sent a defense attaché from its embassy in China, rather than a higher-ranking deputy assistant secretary of defense as in previous years. U.S. officials stated that the attaché’s attendance represented an appropriate level of participation.

Sources:
1. Radio France International, September 18, 2025
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/专栏检索/要闻解说/20250918-北京香山论坛-中国防长讲话更显强硬
2. Secret China, September 19, 2025
https://www.secretchina.com/news/gb/2025/09/19/1088319.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend US-China Relations

Chinese Police Promote Population Monitoring Method in the Solomon Islands

Chinese police have begun introducing the “Fengqiao Experience” (枫桥经验), a “grassroots governance” model from China that emphasizes population control and community monitoring, to communities in the Solomon Islands.

China signed a security cooperation framework agreement with the Solomon Islands in 2022, following anti-government riots in 2021, which were partly triggered by opposition in Malaita Province to the Solomon Islands’ decision to sever ties with Taipei and establish diplomatic relations with Beijing.

Photos and reports show Chinese police visiting multiple islands, including the village of “Fighter 1” near the capital Honiara, where they helped implement population management, household registration, community mapping, and fingerprint collection. Chinese officers also promoted the model in 16 villages across Malaita Province, the country’s largest province.

This marks the first known implementation of the Fengqiao Experience outside China and has sparked human rights concerns.

Source: Radio France International, September 11, 2025
https://www.rfi.fr/cn/国际/20250911-当地居民-中国警方在所罗门群岛介绍-枫桥经验-开展试点项目

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend Social Stability