Geo-Strategic Trend - 2. page

Since the early 2000s, China has systematically built a comprehensive infrastructure to shape global media narratives according to its geopolitical interests, according to French television network TV5MONDE’s fact-checking program “A vrai dire.” Senior journalist Mylène Girardeau explains that while Russia is often cited as the typical example of foreign interference through disinformation, China operates with far greater subtlety and sophistication.

Beijing’s strategy operates through multiple channels. First, it institutionalizes media relationships through bilateral agreements that mandate exchanges between state-owned media outlets, ostensibly to promote mutually beneficial information sharing. China also invites foreign journalists for “training” programs designed more to inspire admiration than impart actual skills. Additionally, three major Chinese state media organizations—Xinhua News Agency, China Radio International, and CGTN—have established offices worldwide. Unlike Western counterparts such as AFP or BBC, these outlets remain under direct Communist Party control, receiving daily guidelines on what to cover and which topics to avoid.

A particularly effective tactic involves providing free content to media outlets globally. Xinhua distributes 15,000 news items daily in eleven languages at no cost to newsrooms facing financial pressures. In February 2022, Beijing launched the All Media Service Platform offering ready-made content in seventy languages for free. Beyond free distribution, China pays news agencies like Reuters and Associated Press to include Chinese state television content in their feeds. In January 2026, over one-fifth of videos available through Reuters to TV5MONDE subscribers came from Chinese state television.

Geopolitics scholar Selma Mihoubi notes that China crafts different narratives for different regions, promoting pro-Russian positions in Africa while exercising more caution in Western markets. The strategy proves especially effective in regions underserved by Western media, where local journalists lacking resources readily adopt freely available Chinese content, often without recognizing its propagandistic nature. Though calculating exact costs proves difficult, experts estimate this influence operation requires billions of dollars annually.

Source: Radio France International, February 11, 2026
https://rfi.my/CR2g

A French government report from the High Commissioner for Strategy and Planning has issued a stark warning about China’s industrial rise, calling it a “systemic shock” to the European economy. The study reveals that Chinese manufacturers now produce goods at four times the speed and one-quarter the cost of European counterparts, while matching or exceeding quality standards.

The report indicates that nearly a quarter of European exports face intense Chinese competition, with up to 55 percent of European manufacturing output potentially threatened in the medium term if current trends continue. Germany stands on the frontlines, having already lost 240,000 industrial jobs since 2023 as Chinese competition directly impacts its core sectors including machinery, industrial equipment, and plastics. Central European countries like Slovakia, Czech Republic, and Hungary, which host German subcontractors, face significant risks as well.

France is not immune to these pressures. Beyond industries intensive in chemicals and industrial inputs such as batteries, plastics, and rubber, over 70 percent of the automotive sector’s exports are affected. Even traditionally high-value French sectors like aerospace and nuclear energy are vulnerable, with Chinese manufacturers operating at remarkable speed and efficiency.

Given the 30 percent to 40 percent cost differential with Chinese products, the report argues that existing trade protection measures are structurally insufficient. High Commissioner Clément Beaune proposes two options to rebalance power with Beijing: either impose a 30 percent tariff on all Chinese products, or depreciate the euro by 20 percent to 30 percent against the yuan, which experts believe is already undervalued by 20 percent to 25 percent.

The tariff option faces challenges, particularly convincing other European nations like Germany, which has already opposed tariffs on electric vehicles. France plans to raise the trade imbalance issue at the next G7 meeting in June at Évian-les-Bains.

Source: Radio France International, February 10, 2026
https://rfi.my/CQnw

International organizations’ official statistics reveal that nine large nuclear reactor units broke ground last year, with China accounting for seven and Russia contributing one. Through advancing nuclear power plant construction, both nations are exporting related technologies and equipment to emerging markets, steadily expanding their global influence.

According to data from the World Nuclear Association and the International Atomic Energy Agency reported by Nikkei Chinese on the 6th, the 2025 figures included seven units in China, one in Russia, and one in South Korea. Since 2016, China and Russia have dominated over ninety percent of the world’s 63 new reactor construction starts. Outside these two countries, only South Korea and the UK have initiated construction on five units during this period.

China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment reports twenty-seven nuclear units currently under construction. Industry associations predict China’s operational nuclear capacity will reach 110 gigawatts by 2030, surpassing the United States. Last April, Chinese authorities approved construction plans for ten reactors across five locations, targeting nuclear power to constitute ten percent of the electricity mix by 2040, up from under five percent in 2024.

Most 2025 reactor starts utilize China’s domestically developed Hualong One design, with six units operating in China and two in Pakistan. China is also developing smaller modular reactors requiring less investment than large-scale facilities. China National Nuclear Corporation reported successful cooling tests in October 2025 for the Linglong One reactor in Hainan Province, generating 125 megawatts and scheduled for operation in 2026.

Russia focuses on exports to emerging markets. Over the past decade, Russian state nuclear enterprise Rosatom constructed nineteen foreign reactors and continues projects in Turkey and Bangladesh. In November 2025, foundational components were installed at Egypt’s El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant Unit 1.

By constructing nuclear facilities, both nations strengthen ties with destination countries across design, construction, operation, maintenance, fuel supply, and decommissioning phases—relationships potentially lasting nearly a century. However, international circumstances affect progress; Russia’s Turkish project faces funding difficulties and delays from 2023 due to Ukraine-war-related economic sanctions.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), February 6, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202602060089.aspx

The Thai military announced on February 2 that it had uncovered extensive evidence of cross-border scam operations at a Cambodian fraud complex near the disputed Thai–Cambodian border. The site, known as the O’Smach scam park, reportedly housed thousands of people, many of whom were victims of human trafficking forced to conduct online fraud under threats of violence and punishment. Thai forces escorted journalists and foreign representatives to the abandoned facilities, where they displayed large quantities of documents, including lists of potential victims and scripted dialogues used in scam schemes.

Thai army officials said the compound had been sealed off and partially dismantled, describing it as a hub for organized, large-scale telecommunications fraud and other criminal activities. Cambodian authorities rejected Thailand’s claims, accusing Bangkok of using the fraud camp as a pretext for military action. Phnom Penh maintained that it is actively cracking down on scam operations within its territory and pledged to eliminate the illegal industry by April.

The revelations come amid heightened tensions between the two countries, which signed a ceasefire late last year following weeks of their most serious border clashes in years. Thailand’s military asserted that some of the targeted facilities were also used to store weapons and launch attacks during the conflict. The Thai–Cambodian border region has increasingly become a hotspot for transnational scam networks, particularly online fraud operations that reportedly generate billions of dollars in illicit revenue each year.

Source: Epoch Times, February 3, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/2/2/n14689673.htm

Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) recently reported that tensions between Australia and China have escalated again. China threatened that if the Australian government forcibly reclaims the Port of Darwin, leased by Chinese companies, the Chinese government has an obligation to take measures to protect the interests of Chinese companies. This move will also affect investment, trade, and cooperation between the two countries.

In October 2015, the Northern Territory government of Australia signed an agreement with the China Landbridge Group to lease the Darwin Port terminal and surrounding facilities to the group for 99 years Since then, this agreement has been the subject of ongoing controversy. Darwin Port is a strategically important location, and both the Australian parties advocated for its return during last year’s general election.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated in Darwin that selling the Port of Darwin is not in Australia’s national interest. Commercial negotiations are currently underway. In response, Chinese Ambassador to Australia warned that the Albanese government’s plan to take back the Port of Darwin from China would jeopardize future bilateral trade and force Beijing to intervene.

China is Australia’s largest bilateral trading partner, accounting for 24 percent of Australia’s total trade in goods and services in the last fiscal year.

Source: CNA, January 28, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202601280300.aspx

Xinhua News Agency interviewed Chinese scholars regarding the recent visit of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to China, along with similar visits by leaders from Ireland, Canada, and Finland. The scholars suggested that these visits reflect a broader trend of Western countries increasing engagement with China, driven in part by internal political and economic challenges within the West.

One scholar argued that growing pressure from the United States—particularly under Trump’s renewed leadership—has strained U.S.-European relations, prompting some Western countries to seek greater strategic flexibility. China’s perceived stability, reliability, and willingness to push back against U.S. pressure were portrayed as factors enhancing its appeal as a partner.

Another scholar emphasized that economic difficulties and geopolitical tensions have encouraged some Western countries to view relations with China more through the lens of cooperation and shared development. The British government’s statement that it does not wish to choose sides between China and the United States was highlighted as notable, given the United Kingdom’s longstanding alliance with Washington. From this perspective, strengthening ties with China is seen as a way to secure more predictable and sustainable economic opportunities.

The scholar also argued that some Western countries have faced bullying and pressure stemming from (the U.S.’) unilateralism and hegemonic practices, and they have limited ability to safeguard their national interests through traditional hard power. In this context, China was portrayed as advocating inclusive globalization and improved global governance, making it an attractive partner for countries seeking stability and greater diplomatic flexibility amid global uncertainty.

Source: Xinhua, February 1, 2026
https://app.xinhuanet.com/news/article.html?articleId=ba6eddb76eb5cce2414827ebe415b147

Well-known new Chinese news site The Paper recently reported that, in less than a month, Luoyang Molybdenum Group (603993.SH/03993.HK), a Chinese domestic mining giant, has swiftly acquired four producing gold mines in Brazil.

Luoyang Molybdenum announced that, with the approval of its board, its controlling subsidiary, CMOC Limited, acquired 100 percent equity interests in three gold mining assets in Brazil from Canadian mining company Equinox Gold (TSX: EQX, NYSE-A: EQX), including the Aurizona Gold Mine, the RDM Gold Mine, and the Bahia Complex, for a total US$1.015 billion. The transaction is an all- cash acquisition.

The gold mine assets involved in the transaction comprise a total gold resource of 5.013 million ounces, with an average grade of 1.88 g/t; and gold reserves of 3.873 million ounces, with an average grade of 1.45 g/t. The acquisition will immediately contribute to the company’s production and profits, with a short-expected return on investment. The estimated annualized gold production in 2026 is 6-8 tons.

This acquisition marks another significant strategic move by Luoyang Molybdenum, following its acquisition of the Cangrejos Gold Mine in Ecuador for RMB 3 billion yuan (around US$ 431.75 million) in April 2025. It is expected to start production in 2028, with a designed annual output of 11.5 tons.

Source: The Paper, January 25, 2026
https://www.thepaper.cn/newsDetail_forward_32462402