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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

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

China Seeks Arctic Cooperation with Russia on Northern Sea Route

Huanqiu Times reported that at the Foreign Ministry’s press briefing on September 19, a Russian media reporter asked: “According to reports, a cargo ship at China’s Ningbo Port is preparing for a trial voyage along a new Northern Sea Route, with departure planned for September 20. Could the Chinese Foreign Ministry comment on the significance of the Northern Sea Route for China and how China plans to cooperate with Russia in this area?”

Spokesperson Lin Jian responded that in recent years the international community has increasingly focused on the potential of Arctic shipping routes, which could become key corridors for global trade. China is willing to collaborate with Russia, other Arctic coastal countries, and interested nations to strengthen international cooperation in the construction and operation of Arctic shipping infrastructure, jointly promoting the development, utilization, and environmental protection of Arctic routes.

Source: Huanqiu Times, September 19, 2025
https://3w.huanqiu.com/a/5e93e2/4OO6sD3DH9X?agt=23

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Malaysia’s Data Center Expansion Slows in AI Chip War

Taiwanese online news platform NowNews recently reported that Malaysia’s rapid data center development is experiencing a major slowdown. This is not only due to energy and water shortages, but also to the U.S.-China competition in the field of artificial intelligence chips.

From Microsoft and Amazon to Tencent and Huawei, global tech giants are betting on Malaysian data centers. However, under the dual pressures of strict U.S. technology controls on AI chip exports and Malaysia’s increased scrutiny of investment projects, China’s use of Malaysia as an “AI backdoor” is facing unprecedented challenges, making this Southeast Asian country a key frontier at the intersection of technology and geopolitics.

Malaysia has become an emerging powerhouse in Southeast Asia due to its low land and electricity prices and proximity to Singapore. Statistics show that more than two-thirds of the data center capacity under construction in the five major markets in Southeast Asia is concentrated in Malaysia.

The United States has been mounting pressure on Malaysia to prevent China from obtaining export-controlled AI chips through overseas data centers. Starting in July of this year, a “Strategic Trade License” must be applied for and a 30-day advance notification must be submitted for all high-end chips exported, reshipped, or transited through Malaysia.

However, the Malaysian and Southeast Asian markets remain attractive to China due to their proximity, high demand, and relatively low political friction. But with the United States tightening regulatory and trade barriers, overseas expansion for Chinese companies is no longer as smooth as it once was.

Source: NowNews, September 13, 2025
https://www.nownews.com/news/6730676

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend Information/Technology

CNA: Poland Closed Belarusian Border, Cutting Off 90 Percent Chinese Rail Traffic to EU (Updated)

Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) recently reported that Poland closed its border with Belarus, freezing a critical export route for China to the EU. A Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman said the border closure was in response to “destructive actions by Moscow and Minsk.”

This has caused a major rail route from China to the European Union to come to a standstill. Given that the route accounts for 25 billion euros in annual trade, China has put pressure on Poland to resume cargo transportation as soon as possible. Around 90 percent of rail freight between China and the EU passes through Poland. However, after three hours of talks between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Polish Foreign Minister Sikorski, no results were achieved and Warsaw still refused to reopen the border.

Poland decided to close its border with Belarus before the joint military exercise Zapad-2025 between Belarus and Russia began on September 12. Yet after a Russian drone intruded into Polish airspace, Warsaw authorities announced the measures would remain in place until further notice.

Latest Update: Poland announced on September 22 that it will reopen the ports on September 25, restoring the trade link for the China-Europe Railway Express.

Source:
1. CNA, September 17, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aopl/202509170151.aspx
2. Caixin, September 24, 2025
https://www.caixinglobal.com/2025-09-24/poland-reopens-belarus-border-restoring-key-china-europe-rail-route-102365374.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

China’s Trade with ASEAN Reaches Historic High Amid US Tariff Pressures

China’s trade relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has reached unprecedented levels, according to new data from China’s General Administration of Customs. From January to August 2025, bilateral trade totaled 4.93 trillion yuan (approximately $690 billion USD), marking a historic high with a 9.7 percent year-on-year increase.

This surge reflects China’s strategic pivot away from US markets amid ongoing tariff tensions. ASEAN now accounts for 16.7 percent of China’s total import and export value, highlighting the region’s growing importance as a trading partner.

ASEAN has maintained its position as China’s largest agricultural trading partner for eight consecutive years. Agricultural trade between the regions reached 290.6 billion yuan (approximately $41 billion USD) in the first eight months of 2025, representing 20.1 percent of China’s total agricultural imports and exports.

Manufacturing cooperation has been particularly robust, driving significant growth in related product categories. China’s exports of machine tools and automotive components to ASEAN increased by 56.1 percent and 22 percent respectively, while imports of computer components and printed circuit boards from ASEAN grew by 47.4 percent and 22.2 percent.

The expansion coincides with China’s broader trade diversification strategy. According to New York Times reporting from July, Chinese traders have increasingly shifted focus to markets outside the United States, including Southeast Asia, the European Union, and African nations. Direct exports to the US dropped by over 20 percent in July as American buyers remained cautious about tariff implications.

Lu Daliang, spokesperson for China’s General Administration of Customs, noted that the China-ASEAN Free Trade Area is advancing toward version 3.0, with both sides planning to expand cooperation and deepen regional supply chain integration.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), September 16, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202509160197.aspx

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Global Times: China Implements Temporary Anti-Dumping Measures on EU Pork Exports

Global Times recently reported that China’s Ministry of Commerce just issued an announcement, preliminarily ruling that there is dumping in China of imported pork and pork by-products originating from the European Union, and decided to implement temporary anti-dumping tariffs ranging from 15.6 percent to 62.4 percent on pork originating from the EU from September, 10.

China is the world’s largest pork producer and consumer. Since 2007, the import volume of pork and pork by-products has been increasing steadily, and the growth rate has continued to expand. During this period, the EU has become China’s largest source of pork-related products. Chinese customs data show that between 2020 and 2023, the average annual proportion of pork-related products from the EU in China’s total imports has soared to 54 percent. China has always used trade remedy measures with caution and has only launched 38 investigations against the EU so far. However, the EU has launched a total of 263 investigations against China.

In the meantime, Radio France Internationale (RFI) reported that the Chinese move escalated a trade dispute between China and the EU sparked by EU tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles. The Chinese investigation, launched last June and widely seen as a retaliatory measure against EU tariffs, has affected more than $2 billion worth of pork exports, with losses concentrated in major producing countries such as Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark. The levy marked a new chapter in trade and political friction between Brussels and Beijing.

Sources:
(1) Global Times, September 5, 2025
https://world.huanqiu.com/article/4OCc9Xrcj8u
(2) RFI, September 5, 2025
https://tinyurl.com/yds9nbhw

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

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

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