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Czech Authorities Arrest Alleged Chinese Intelligence Operative Linked to Plot Against Taiwan Vice President

In March 2024, during a visit by Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim to the Czech Republic, Czech Military Intelligence (VZ) revealed that Chinese intelligence services closely monitored her movements and even considered orchestrating a “demonstrative” car crash as a form of intimidation.

Following an extended investigation, Czech authorities arrested a key individual accused of long-term cooperation with Chinese intelligence services on January 18, 2026. According to the Czech outlet Deník N, the suspect is Yang Yiming, a Prague-based correspondent for China’s state-run Guangming Daily. Yang had worked in the Czech Republic for many years and had repeatedly received extensions to his work permit from the Czech government.

Investigators allege that Yang exploited his status as a journalist to move freely within Czech and Slovak political circles, collecting intelligence under the guise of media interviews—particularly information related to political interactions involving Taiwan. Reports further claim that he used so-called “technical cooperation” with local media to disseminate pro-China narratives domestically, while covertly serving China’s military intelligence apparatus.

The arrest is being described as a milestone in Czech counterintelligence history. In 2025, the Czech Republic amended its criminal code to designate “unauthorized activities on behalf of a foreign power” as a serious criminal offense. Yang is the first suspect charged under this revised law. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison, with potential sentences of up to 15 years if the offense is deemed to have occurred during wartime.

Source: CReaders.net, January 23, 2026
https://news.creaders.net/world/2026/01/23/2963267.html

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

CNA: Taiwanese Exports to U.S. Exceed Exports to China for First Time in 26 Years

Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) recently reported that Taiwan’s exports to the United States reached US$198.27 billion in 2025, exceeding the approximately US$170.68 billion in exports to China and Hong Kong for the first time in 26 years.

According to statistics from the Taiwanese Ministry of Finance, Taiwan’s exports to its five major markets in 2025 all increased simultaneously. Exports to the United States reached US$198.27 billion, setting a new historical record. In the meantime, the proportion of exports to the United States increased to 30.9 percent, higher than the 26.6 percent for exports to China and Hong Kong combined.

The newly released data was based on Taiwan’s latest customs import and export trade statistics. Last year, Taiwan’s exports reached US$640.75 billion and imports reached US$483.61 billion, both setting new historical records. The year-over-year growth rates were 34.9 percent and 22.6 percent respectively. And the trade surplus of US$157.14 billion also set a new record.

Overall, the main export categories are information/communication and audio-visual products, as well as electronic components. Furthermore, exports of information/communication and audio-visual products increased by 89.5 percent year-over-year, and exports to the United States increased by 78 percent year-over-year, both setting unprecedented growth records.

The shift in Taiwan’s foreign trade landscape is related to global supply chain restructuring. It’s worth noting that, as ASEAN gradually becomes a new core of the global supply chain, its share of Taiwan’s total exports has risen to 18.6 percent, the highest in nearly 11 years.

Source: CNA, January 9, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/afe/202601090257.aspx

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Former U.S. Defense Official Analyzes U.S. Indo-Pacific Military Deployment

Hu Zhendong, a former U.S. Department of Defense official, spoke at a forum hosted by Taiwan’s Institute for National Policy Research on January 15, offering an analysis of the current posture and future direction of U.S. military deployment in the Indo-Pacific region.

Hu said U.S. national security strategy prioritizes maintaining military overmatch in the Western Pacific as a cornerstone for deterring conflict in the Taiwan Strait and preserving regional stability. He noted that President Trump’s approach continues to emphasize “peace through strength,” with substantial U.S. forces deployed across key locations including South Korea, Japan, the Philippines, Guam, Hawaii, and Alaska. Alaska, in particular, hosts robust fifth-generation air power capable of supporting operations across the Pacific theater.

To sustain naval operations, major U.S. bases on the West Coast house submarine forces and an active aircraft carrier strike group, while additional carrier strike capabilities and expeditionary sea bases are deployed throughout the Pacific. The U.S. military presence also extends to Singapore, Saipan, Palau, Midway Island, Wake Island, and Australia—locations relatively close to Taiwan—forming a first-island-chain security network supported by logistics hubs and mutual defense arrangements.

Hu noted that joint military exercises with partner nations have expanded significantly in both scale and frequency. He cited the biennial Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) exercise, which in 2024 involved 29 countries, approximately 25,000 personnel, 40 ships, and more than 150 aircraft, and is expected to grow further in 2026.

He also outlined several key U.S. military modernization efforts, including:

  • Upgrading Pacific submarine forces with Virginia-class submarines;
  • Deploying advanced F-35 fighter aircraft while retiring older platforms at bases in Japan and South Korea;
  • Expanding amphibious and expeditionary sea base capabilities to support helicopters and unmanned systems.

In addition, Hu said the United States is refining arrangements to increase the flexibility of forces stationed on the Korean Peninsula, enabling them to respond rapidly across the broader Indo-Pacific rather than being confined to a narrow regional role.

Overall, Hu argued, these developments demonstrate that the United States is reinforcing its strategic military posture throughout the Indo-Pacific to deter aggression and strengthen collective security partnerships, continuing to rely on military strength as the foundation for regional peace and stability.

Source: Epoch Times, January 15, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/1/15/n14676384.htm/amp

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

DW Chinese: Beijing Orders Domestic Chinese Companies Stop Using U.S. and Israeli Cybersecurity Software

Deutsche Welle Chinese Edition recently reported that, Chinese authorities notified domestic companies to stop using cybersecurity software from more than a dozen American and Israeli companies, citing national security concerns.

The software vendors named include Broadcom, Palo Alto Networks, and Fortinet, as well as Check Point Software Technologies, an Israeli company. Chinese authorities are concerned that the cybersecurity software offered by these vendors may collect confidential information and transfer it overseas.

Over the years, these companies have established a considerable business base in China. Broadcom has six offices in China, Fortinet has three offices in mainland China and one in Hong Kong, Palo Alto Networks has five offices in China, one of which is in Macau, and Check Point’s website lists its service addresses in Shanghai and Hong Kong.

It was uncertain how many Chinese companies received the notification. China’s internet regulators, the Cyberspace Administration of China and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, did not respond to requests for comment. The four companies mentioned also did not respond to inquiries.

Some U.S. and Israeli companies facing bans have repeatedly accused China of hacking attacks before, but China has denied these allegations. For instance, last month, Check Point released a report claiming a Chinese-linked hacking operation targeted a “European government agency.” Last September, Palo Alto Networks released a report accusing Chinese hackers of attacking diplomats around the world.

Source: DW Chinese, January 14, 2026
https://tinyurl.com/4nxvp36k

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend Information/Technology US-China Relations

Market Share of U.S. Cars in Canada Falls New Low

Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that the share of U.S.-made cars in the Canadian auto market has fallen to a new low. The auto tariffs disrupted a decades-long tradition of close cross-border integration in the automotive industry.

According to Statistics Canada’s import data, in the first 10 months of 2025, only 36 percent of passenger vehicles imported into Canada were manufactured in the United States. In comparison, the average percentage over the previous 10 years was 49 percent. Traditionally, Canada is the largest buyer of new cars and trucks manufactured in the United States. But these new figures highlight how the trade war launched by the Trump administration has altered the industry landscape. Now Mexican and South Korean-made vehicles are gaining a larger share of sales at Canadian auto dealerships.

U.S. President Trump’s tariffs on foreign-made cars prompted Canada to retaliate with tariffs on U.S. cars and trucks. However, the Canadian government granted some exemptions to automakers still producing vehicles in Ontario, such as Toyota and General Motors.

Source: Lianhe Zaobao, January 16, 2026
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/realtime/world/story20260116-8114209

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Xinhua Commentary: Europe’s Vulnerability Extends Far Beyond Greenland

A Xinhua News Agency commentary argues that Europe’s strategic vulnerability is not just the Greenland issue, but rather in its long-standing dependence on the United States and NATO. The article opens by citing U.S. interest in Greenland and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen’s warning that any use of force by the United States against a NATO ally could fracture the alliance — a reaction the commentary portrays as cautious and resigned rather than firm and resolute.

According to the commentary, Europe’s security architecture has for decades been built on NATO and U.S. military dominance, severely constraining its strategic autonomy. Despite repeated calls to strengthen independent defense capabilities, European countries remain heavily reliant on Washington, a dependence further deepened by ongoing security pressures such as the war in Ukraine.

The commentary criticizes Europe for accepting U.S. dominance at its own expense, arguing that this imbalance allows Washington to leverage Europe militarily, economically, and geopolitically — from defense spending demands to broader strategic concessions. Europe’s failure to draw clear red lines, even on matters involving its own territory, is cited as evidence of what the article describes as a lack of genuine sovereignty.

Source: Xinhua, January 16, 2026
https://www.xinhuanet.com/20260116/750dd9b3ec1c43d2b060185a5ddecba6/c.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend

Xinhua: South Korea Studies Restoration of 2018 Inter-Korean Military Agreement

A senior South Korean official said on January 14 that the government is reviewing the possibility of restoring the September 19, 2018 Inter-Korean Military Agreement with North Korea. The remarks were made by Wee Sung-lok, director of South Korea’s National Security Office, at a press conference in Nara, Japan, during a visit accompanying President Lee Jae-myung.

Wee said that reviving the agreement is a key policy direction and reflects guidance from President Lee, but emphasized that the issue is complex and involves multiple stakeholders, meaning no concrete decisions have yet been finalized.

President Lee previously signaled this approach on August 15, 2025, during a speech marking the 80th anniversary of Korea’s Liberation Day. He said South Korea would take the initiative in restoring the September 19 Military Agreement in a phased manner to prevent accidental clashes between the two Koreas and to rebuild military confidence.

The 2018 agreement, signed following the Panmunjom Declaration, aimed to reduce military tensions across the Korean Peninsula and establish it as a “permanent peace zone.” South Korea suspended the agreement in June 2024, and discussions on its potential revival are now underway.

Source: Xinhua, January 14, 2026
https://www.xinhuanet.com/20260114/1e7dd8b7ca374dbe85d71ce5f93b4dd9/c.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend