Government/Politics

Study Times: Strengthening Public Opinion Guidance and Management

Qin Lu, deputy director of the Central Party School’s Department of History and Culture, argues that China’s rapidly changing media environment has made public opinion a growing source of social tensions and a major governance challenge. He proposes the following measures for the authorities to strengthen public-opinion management:

Shift from emergency response to routine governance: Rather than treating public-opinion incidents as isolated “emergencies,” authorities should integrate public-opinion management into the broader national governance system.
Address problems before they become public-opinion crises: Qin emphasizes that resolving underlying social and livelihood problems should be the foundation of public-opinion management. Governments should use social-governance centers, the 12345 government-service hotline, public-opinion monitoring, and government social-media platforms to identify public concerns, respond to grievances, and defuse potential tensions.
Build an integrated system: He proposes combining regular press briefings, daily public-opinion guidance, and emergency response. Government press offices and social-media platforms should proactively explain policies, respond to public concerns, build credibility, and serve as rapid official-information channels when controversies emerge.
Respond quickly with both “emotion and facts”: Officials should establish clear criteria for when and how to respond to emerging controversies. Initial responses should address both the underlying incident and public emotions through empathy, reassurance, apologies when appropriate, and transparent updates. Qin warns that defensive messaging or attempts to shift responsibility can intensify negative sentiment and trigger secondary controversies.
Strengthen information management and preparedness: Government communications should provide both factual information and confidence-building messages, including clear explanations of an incident’s causes, investigation, response, and follow-up. Qin also calls for regular training, simulation exercises, and reviews of past cases to develop practical response plans and improve interdepartmental coordination.
Overall framework: Qin proposes a comprehensive system of “good governance of people’s livelihoods → information release → public-opinion guidance → public-opinion response,” making public-opinion management a routine component of governance rather than a response limited to exceptional crises.

Source: Study Times, September 18, 2026
https://www.studytimes.cn/llsd/202609/t20260917_91732.html

Briefings | | September 29, 2026 | Government/Politics Social Stability

Another Incident of Beijing-Organized Supporters Clashed with Protesters During Xi’s Visit to the U.S.

Xi Jinping’s visit to the United States drew demonstrations by at least 39 anti-CCP groups. Chinese authorities reportedly organized large numbers of supporters—one source estimated nearly 1,000—to welcome Xi. Supporters and protesters clashed outside Joint Base Andrews during Xi’s arrival (see Chinascope briefing).

Another altercation occurred around 3:30 p.m. on September 24 outside the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency headquarters on Constitution Avenue in Washington, D.C., where Falun Gong practitioners were peacefully demonstrating. A woman identified as Li Huahong confronted practitioner Xin Qin, who was photographing the demonstration. Xin said Li repeatedly pressured him to move back before grabbing and pulling him down, after which several people accompanying Li allegedly struck, scratched, and bit him. Xin said he did not fight back and called police. A police officer reportedly witnessed the incident and intervened, handcuffing Li, who was later taken away by ambulance.

According to the report, Li had previously attacked Falun Gong practitioners in New York and had been arrested several times. She was convicted of assault in 2013.

Also, an earlier incident occurred on September 22 outside the Chinese Consulate in Toronto, Canada, where a Chinese-Canadian man allegedly damaged Falun Gong protesters’ display boards and banners, issued threats, and injured a practitioner who tried to protect a banner. Police reportedly arrived, documented the incident, and said the case could proceed to legal action.

Sources:
{1} NTDTV, September 25, 2026
https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2026/09/25/a104136302.html
{2} NTDTV, September 26, 2026
https://www.ntdtv.com/gb/2026/09/26/a104136553.html

Briefings | | September 28, 2026 | Government/Politics US-China Relations

Beijing Announces Party Decision on Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli Ahead of Expected CCP Fifth Plenum

Xinhua News Agency reported that on September 21, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Politburo reviewed and approved the Central Military Commission’s (CMC) reports on the investigations into Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli. It decided to expel the two senior military officials from the CCP, terminate their qualifications as delegates to the 20th Party Congress, and transfer their alleged criminal offenses to military procuratorial authorities for prosecution. The CMC had previously decided to expel them from military service.

A source described as an insider in the CCP’s military system told The Epoch Times that the decisions on how to handle their cases were originally expected to be announced at the Fifth Plenary Session of the 20th CCP Central Committee (October 26 – 29). However, according to the source, Xi Jinping recently called for the announcement to be brought forward ahead of his visit to the United States. The source said Xi intended to “settle the matter once and for all” and put a definitive end to the political characterization of Zhang and Liu.

Xinhua’s announcement described the offenses attributed to Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli as follows: abandoning their original aspiration and mission; becoming alienated from and disloyal to the Party; losing their Party spirit and principles; and crossing red lines and bottom lines; seriously violating political discipline and political rules, forming cliques, and being disloyal and dishonest to the Party; seriously violating organizational discipline by using their positions to assist others in obtaining promotions and receiving large sums of money; seriously violating integrity discipline by improperly accepting gifts and cash; seriously violating work discipline by failing to fulfill their political responsibility for exercising comprehensive and strict Party governance; and seriously violating life discipline by failing to properly educate and supervise their relatives and staff.

However, the language used in the latest announcement differs notably from that of a PLA Daily editorial published on January 25, when the investigations into Zhang and Liu were first announced. The earlier editorial accused them of “seriously undermining the CMC chairman responsibility system” — which can be understood as “seriously undermining Xi Jinping’s authority in the military” — and of damaging the Party’s absolute leadership over the military. It also said their conduct had severely affected the political foundation, political environment, and combat effectiveness of the PLA.

Sources:
{1} Xinhua, September 21, 2026
https://www.news.cn/politics/20260921/ed84cef8e5ad411e9ebf80c5f43e375e/c.html
{2} People’s Daily, January 26, 2026
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2026/0125/c1001-40652025.html
{3} The Epoch Times, September 22, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/9/22/n14854544.htm

Briefings | | September 21, 2026 | Defense/Military Government/Politics

Xi Jinping’s U.S. Visit: A Display of Political Power Ahead of the 21st Party Congress

Xi Jinping is expected to visit the United States from September 23 to 25 and meet with President Trump on September 24, roughly one year before the 21st National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Chinese political observers say Beijing hopes the summit will help stabilize economic and business expectations, while Xi could use the high-profile diplomatic engagement to demonstrate his control over foreign policy and upcoming personnel arrangements within the Party.

Xi’s visit comes as attention focuses on whether he will continue as CCP General Secretary and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, potentially entering a fourth term. Beijing has not announced any such arrangements or publicly discussed a potential successor.

A Chinese political scholar said official-media coverage of a Xi-Trump meeting at the White House could reinforce Xi’s image as the leader directing China’s major-power diplomacy. A military affairs scholar said Xi’s overseas visit, amid continuing changes in the PLA leadership, could serve as a domestic display of his political influence and control over the military command system.

Chinese state media have already established a favorable narrative around Xi’s summit diplomacy. People’s Daily described head-of-state diplomacy in May as the “compass” and “rudder” of China-U.S. relations, saying Xi and Trump had helped “calibrate the trajectory” of bilateral ties at a critical moment. Beijing has also promoted the concept of building a “constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability.”

Source: Radio Free Asia, September 9, 2026
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/zhengzhi/waijiao/2026/09/09/china-xi-jinpings-visit-to-the-us-trump-21st-national-congress-of-the-cpc/

Briefings | | September 21, 2026 | Government/Politics US-China Relations

Chinese Documentary Filmmaker Du Bin Sentenced to 18 Months Over Criticism of National Leaders

Chinese documentary filmmaker and writer Du Bin was detained by Beijing police in October 2025 on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and sentenced to 18 months in prison on August 28. His family has not received the judgment or an official court notification. During his mother’s final illness, the family requested that he be allowed to return home to see her, but the court denied the request. His mother died on August 24, four days before he was sentenced.

Du, a former Beijing-based photographer for The New York Times, has long documented the experiences of petitioners, former labor-camp detainees, and other social groups through photography, documentaries, and books. According to China Human Rights Defenders, about 40 of his reposts or comments on political issues on X were cited as evidence in his conviction. Earlier reports said the alleged offense had at one point been described as “attacking national leaders.” However, “attacking national leaders” is not a formal offense under China’s Criminal Law, and Du was ultimately convicted of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble.”

Du has previously been detained on similar charges. In 2013, he was detained after producing a documentary about alleged torture of Falun Gong practitioners at the Masanjia Women’s Forced Labor Camp and was released after 37 days. He later published several books in Hong Kong and Taiwan about the Masanjia Forced Labor Camp and the Tiananmen Square Massacre. In December 2020, he was again detained on suspicion of “picking quarrels and provoking trouble” and released after 37 days. During that case, police investigated his books, publishing activities, finances, and possible foreign funding. Du denied wrongdoing and said his publications and financial activities were lawful.

Source: Epoch Times, September 8, 2026
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/zhengzhi/renquan/2026/09/08/china-journalist-du-bin-provoking-trouble-documentary-producer/

Briefings | | September 17, 2026 | Government/Politics

CCP Advisor: China’s Population Decline Is Such a Serious Issue That It Cannot Wait

Jin Canrong (金灿荣) is a Chinese international relations scholar who serves as an advisor to senior Chinese Communist Party officials. He recently published an article warning Chinese officials that the country’s population decline and aging problems are becoming increasingly severe:

China’s population decline is a “slow-changing” issue whose full impact may not become apparent for several years, but it has already become increasingly urgent. China’s competition with the West is not just with the 300 million people in the United States, but with roughly 1 billion people across the West. Population is an extremely important strategic resource. Governments at all levels should strengthen their sense of urgency, increase policy support, and improve implementation to slow the population decline.

The seriousness of population loss can be seen in the three northeastern provinces and Inner Mongolia, where some cities with populations of around 1 million reportedly have only several hundred births a year, while once-busy commercial districts have become deserted. China’s population is also aging, with statistics showing that the median age reached 41.98 in 2025, which could have significant effects on the country’s economic and social development.

China’s large population base has contributed to its talent and engineering advantages. While many skilled workers are developed through education and training, a large population provides a broader base from which talent can emerge. Without a sufficiently large number of newborns, maintaining a large pool of highly capable talent could become more difficult.

Social awareness of China’s population challenges has grown in recent years, but current government measures remain relatively moderate and should be strengthened. Addressing the underlying causes of population decline would require substantial financial and other resources, but the cost will be even bigger if we delay our actions.

Source: Guancha, September 7, 2026
https://user.guancha.cn/main/content?id=1731571

Briefings | | September 15, 2026 | @CS Economy/Resources Government/Politics

Xi Jinping’s Health Questioned During BRICS Summit in New Delhi (Updated)

Questions about Xi Jinping’s health emerged during the BRICS Summit in New Delhi after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi briefly interrupted his opening remarks on September 12 to ask Xi twice, “Is it OK?” Footage broadcast by India’s Doordarshan showed a staff member approaching Xi and handing him something, although it was unclear what had happened. The incident nevertheless triggered online speculation about Xi’s health. Some Indian media reports offered an alternative explanation, suggesting that it could have been related to a microphone or translation issue.

Independent commentator Xiang Yang made another observation, saying that Xi appeared to have difficulty walking up the aircraft stairs when leaving India. He described Xi as showing apparent weakness on the left side of his body. Xiang speculated that this could indicate damage to the right side of the brain, which controls movement on the left side of the body. This was Xiang Yang’s speculation and has not been medically confirmed.

Update:

Russian state broadcaster Russia-1 reported that the “Is it OK?” incident was likely caused by a malfunctioning simultaneous-translation earpiece, rather than a health issue. Its released footage showed Xi’s aides examining and adjusting his earpiece and receiver before providing replacement equipment, which Xi then tested and adjusted himself.

However, Xi was absence from the summit dinner that evening. This also prompted speculation. Russian media attributed it to his busy schedule, reporting that he returned to his hotel to rest after the day’s activities.

Sources:
{1} Epoch Times, September 14, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/9/14/n14849131.htm
{2} Yahoo (Taiwan), September 18, 2026
https://tw.news.yahoo.com/影-俄媒還原現場-莫迪兩問習近平-還好嗎-疑因翻譯耳機出包-055804628.html

Briefings | | September 14, 2026 | Government/Politics