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Kim Yo-jong Rejects U.S. Dialogue Hopes, Declares North Korea’s Nuclear Status Irreversible

On July 28, the White House stated that President Donald Trump remains willing to engage in talks with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to achieve the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula. The South Korean government echoed this position, reaffirming its commitment to rebuilding inter-Korean trust in a peaceful environment and creating favorable conditions for resuming U.S.–North Korea dialogue.

However, North Korea’s state media, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), reported that Kim Yo-jong – sister of Kim Jong-un and Vice Department Director of the Central Committee of the Workers’ Party of Korea – dismissed these overtures, stating that “U.S.–North Korea contact is merely the United States’ ‘wish.’” She criticized Washington’s unilateral interpretation of past talks, saying Pyongyang assigns no value to such evaluations.

Kim declared that North Korea’s nuclear status is now irreversible and that the regional geopolitical landscape has fundamentally changed. Recognizing this reality, she said, must be the starting point for any future discussions. North Korea, she added, remains open to any option that safeguards its national status. If the U.S. refuses to accept this new reality and clings to failed strategies of the past, she concluded, any talk of renewed dialogue will remain nothing more than an American illusion.

Source: Huanqiu Times, July 29, 2025
https://world.huanqiu.com/article/4NhI2Bq5tlg

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

Huanqiu Times: U.S. Shifts Africa Policy from Aid to Trade Amid Strategic Rivalry with China and Russia

CCP mouthpiece Huanqiu Times recently published an article titled “What does the US’s “transactional” Africa strategy conceal?” Below are some key excerpts from the article:

After shutting down USAID, U.S. President Trump hosted a small “U.S.-Africa summit” with leaders from five West African nations – Gabon, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mauritania, and Senegal – declaring a shift in U.S. policy from aid to trade. The move reflects Trump’s transactional approach and the long-standing U.S. view of Africa as a low diplomatic priority.

Analysts see the summit as a response to growing Chinese and Russian influence in Africa. Notably, major African powers like South Africa and Nigeria were excluded – most being BRICS members or seeking stronger roles in global alliances.

Historically, U.S. strategy in Africa has focused on countering external powers – from the Soviets during the Cold War to China and Russia today. However, African nations see little appeal in being treated as a geopolitical battleground. The new U.S. approach lacks meaningful trade access, financing, or industrial support, offering little to countries with urgent development needs.

The five invited countries are rich in critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and rare earths. Trump’s recent involvement in Congo-Rwanda peace talks is also seen as resource-driven.

U.S. aid is shifting toward a “carrot-and-stick” model, tying assistance to alignment with U.S. interests. This strategy downplays developed nations’ responsibilities for the underdeveloped countries. The U.S. remains skeptical of Africa’s independent development and uses aid and trade primarily to advance its own strategic goals.

Source: Huanqiu Times, July 22, 2025
https://www.huanqiu.com/article/4Nbabsa1ktb

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Xinhua: Chinese EV Makers Deepen Supply Chain Integration in Southeast Asia

At the 3rd China International Supply Chain Expo, many Chinese Electric Vehicle (EV) companies showcased their deepening cooperation with Southeast Asian countries across the industrial and supply chains. Observers note that Chinese EV firms are shifting from mere product exports to full supply chain international collaboration. By localizing production to meet market demands and transferring technology, they are contributing to the development of Southeast Asia’s auto industry.

ASEAN nations have taken steps to optimize supply chains. For example, Singapore uses blockchain to improve transparency and resilience, Vietnam has streamlined customs and reduced tariffs to support cross-border e-commerce, and Malaysia promotes smart manufacturing to cut production costs.

Against this backdrop, Chinese carmakers such as BYD, Geely, Great Wall, GAC, SAIC, and Chery are actively expanding in Southeast Asia. Highlights include Great Wall’s Malaysian KD factory rolling out its first locally assembled Haval H6, BYD’s Thai factory launching full-scale operations last July, SAIC-GM-Wuling’s 3 millionth EV rolling off the production line in Indonesia this May, and Geely’s EX5 EV completing trial production in its Indonesian plant.

In the first half of this year, Indonesia’s wholesale sales of battery EVs surged 267 percent year-on-year, with Chinese brands accounting for over 90 percent of the market. In Thailand, Chinese EVs dominate, with four of the top five best-selling models in 2023 being Chinese. In Malaysia, by mid-2024, Great Wall’s locally assembled Haval H6 ranked second in the hybrid SUV market.

Source: Xinhua, July 19, 2025
http://www.xinhuanet.com/asia/20250723/469053c9e4d34f17b708c916b3c1501f/c.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources Geo-Strategic Trend

Israel Warns of Suspected Chinese Role in Rebuilding Iran’s Ballistic Missile Program

Israel’s Ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter, told Voice of America (VOA) on July 24 that following last month’s 12-day Iran-Israel war, there are “troubling signs” that China may be helping Iran rebuild its ballistic missile program. Western media had previously reported that in the first quarter of this year, Iran planned to transport precursor chemicals for missile propellants from China for use in ballistic missile production. Leiter’s remarks were in response to VOA’s inquiry about Israel’s view on the matter.

When asked what troubling signs of Chinese assistance to Iran he was referring to, Leiter mentioned some back-and-forth shipments, the chemicals, and the capability to rebuild or restructure the ballistic missile program.

Leiter said Israel had “damaged” Iran’s ballistic missile project by destroying components of the program. He stated that Israel needs to make sure China or other bad actors don’t help Iran to rebuild it.

Source: VOA, July 26, 2025
https://www.voachinese.com/a/exclusive-israeli-envoy-to-us-warns-china-may-be-helping-iran-restore-its-missile-program-20250725/8050129.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Xinhua: Cuban PM Vows Defiance Against U.S. Sanctions, Pledges to Defend National Dignity

According to Xinhua News Agency, Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero reaffirmed Cuba’s unwavering resistance to U.S. sanctions during the July 26 commemoration of “National Rebellion Day.” He vowed that Cuba would overcome its current hardships and defend its national dignity at all costs.

In his address, Marrero condemned the U.S. government’s long-standing hostile policies toward Cuba, accusing it of imposing a severe blockade tantamount to a “wartime siege.” He argued that the blockade seeks to economically strangle the nation and stir despair and discontent among the Cuban people. Despite facing unprecedented challenges, Marrero said the Cuban people remain resilient and optimistic, just as they were during the revolutionary era. “Cuba will not surrender, will not yield, and will never kneel to anyone,” he declared.

Source: Xinhua, July 27, 2025
http://www.xinhuanet.com/20250727/3892c9dad76a4c37a0734ebbb432d91a/c.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

China-Africa Youth Military Leader Forum Opens in Nanjing

The Youth Leadership Conference of the China-Africa Peace and Security Forum was hosted in Nanjing from July 15 to 19. Representatives of the Chinese military joined nearly 90 mid- to senior-level military officers from over 40 African countries, including Egypt, Ethiopia, and Zambia.

With the theme “Looking to the Future, Building Peace Together,” the forum featured three main topics: “Capacity Building for African Peace and Security,” “Empowering Defense and Security Cooperation Through Emerging Technologies,” and “Comprehensive Approaches to Non-Traditional Security Threats.” The event combined keynote speeches, thematic presentations, and group discussions, aiming to create a platform for equal dialogue among young Chinese and African military officers and to further build consensus, strengthen solidarity, and expand cooperation in the fields of peace and security.

Source: Huanqiu Times, July 15, 2025
https://mil.huanqiu.com/article/4NW0TmjysIG

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

Xinhua: BRICS Media and Think Tanks Unite to Amplify “Voice of the South”

The BRICS Media and Think Tank High-Level Forum was held on July 16 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with over 250 representatives from nearly 150 media, think tanks, government agencies, and enterprises across the 36 BRICS member states and partner countries attending.

Themed “Co-Creating the Future of BRICS, Writing a New Chapter for the Global South,” the forum was jointly hosted by Xinhua News Agency and the Brazilian Communications Company. It marked the seventh plenary meeting under the BRICS media and think tank mechanism and the first since BRICS’ historic expansion. The forum released a report titled “BRICS Cooperation Promotes United Progress for the Global South” and launched initiatives to strengthen media and think tank cooperation as well as the content co-creation project “Knocking on BRICS, Listening to the South.”

Participants highlighted that BRICS is increasingly a key channel for Global South solidarity and global governance reform. The BRICS media and think tanks provide a solid platform for the “common voice of the Global South”: creating synergy in the international public opinion arena, consolidating the “BRICS Consensus,” amplifying the “Voice of the South,” and contributing wisdom to the growth of the “Great BRICS” and the Global South.

Source:
1. Xinhua, July 17, 2025
http://www.news.cn/world/20250717/33ed4400fb834e95a99865ab93e62206/c.html
2. Xinhua, July 17, 2025
http://www.news.cn/world/20250717/1f4fb1cb3bbf4ed0938c1b2b87e6954e/c.html

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend