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Czech Government Blocks Chinese Satellite Station Project Over Security Concerns

On March 25, A Czech local media outlet Seznam Zprávy cited government sources stating that the Czech counterintelligence agency (BIS) had issued a warning about a project by Beijing-based company Emposat to install a 7.3-meter parabolic antenna in Vlkos, South Moravia, Czech Republic. The satellite was intended for use in operating a ground satellite station to be used for monitoring Earth’s orbit. Emposat has close ties with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), one of the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) top scientific research institutions, which has previously been involved in multiple cases of technological espionage.

The Czech cabinet formally halted the investment following the warning from BIS. This was the first time since the passage of the 2021 Czech Foreign Investment Review Act that the Czech government has banned or canceled an investment made in Czechia by a foreign company.

Source: Epoch Times, March 25, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/3/25/n14466868.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

People’s Daily on Current and Future Trends in Military Counter-Drone Technology

People’s Daily, the official newspaper of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, recently published an article on trends in military applications of drone and counter-drone technology. Below are some key points from the article.

In recent years, drones have frequently appeared in regional conflicts worldwide, making counter-drone operations a new battlefield in global offense and defense.

Currently, counter-drone technologies are categorized into two main types:

  • Drone detection and identification technologies: These include radio frequency analyzers, radar, visual/thermal imaging sensors, and acoustic sensors.
  • Drone countermeasure technologies: These include communication/navigation system jamming, signal intrusion, aerial interception and ground fire strikes, and laser weapons.

As technology advances, counter-drone technologies are expected to develop in the following directions:

  1. Higher Intelligence – Artificial intelligence will enhance counter-drone systems’ ability to detect, track, and neutralize drones more quickly and accurately.
  2. Integrated Systems – Future counter-drone systems will prioritize integration, combining multiple detection and countermeasure technologies into a comprehensive defense system. By integrating radio frequency detection, radar, visual recognition, and laser countermeasures, these systems will provide multi-layered, full-spectrum drone defense. Additionally, integration will enable seamless connectivity with other air defense systems, forming a more robust defense network.
  3. Improved Portability.

Source: People’s Daily, March 18, 2025
http://military.people.com.cn/n1/2025/0318/c1011-40441268.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Brazilian Media: China Intends to Offer Fighter Jets in Exchange for Space Launch Site in Brazil

According to Brazilian media reports, China and Brazil are secretly negotiating a major deal: China plans to provide advanced J-10C fighter jets to Brazil through a “donation + export” model in exchange for access to Brazil’s Alcântara Aerospace Launch Center.

This move is seen as a direct counter to Trump’s plan to control the Panama Canal. Trump has signaled his intention to strengthen U.S. influence in Latin America. In response, China has firmly stated that the permanent neutrality of the Panama Canal must not be altered and has called on the international community to help maintain stability in the region.

China’s cooperation with Brazil further reinforces this stance. The strategic value of the Alcântara Launch Center is undeniable—its geographical location would allow China to better monitor U.S. aerospace activities, posing a potential challenge to U.S. defense strategy. Source: Aboluo, January 15, 2025
https://www.aboluowang.com/2025/0115/2160345.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

RFA: China Building Fourth Aircraft Carrier

Radio Free Asia (RFA) recently reported that, based on the latest satellite images, China is building its fourth (Model 004) aircraft carrier in Dalian Shipyard. China’s third aircraft carrier (Fujian) just completed its sixth sea test in January this year. The new and fourth carrier may be equipped with four catapults and will use nuclear power, which is similar to the U.S. Ford-class aircraft carrier.

Satellite imagery of the ship under construction was captured in May 2024 and has recently been released. It is expected that the carrier-based aircraft groups for the Model 004 carrier will include: the J-35 stealth fighter, an improved version the of J-15, a KJ-600 carrier-based early warning aircraft, the GJ-11 “Sword” stealth unmanned fighter, and various carrier-based helicopters and drones. The 004 aircraft carrier may be equipped with two waist catapults, as well as two bow catapults, matching all U.S. aircraft carriers currently in service. It is becoming clearer that China wants to become a global power, and nuclear-powered aircraft carrier force is an essential policy tool for that goal.

Analysts indicated that the gap in the development of aircraft carriers between the United States and China is narrowing. The U.S. manufacturing capabilities for shipbuilding and aircraft-building have lowered due to the overall decline in the U.S. manufacturing capacity. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the process of globalization has caused a hollowing out the U.S. manufacturing industry.

Source: RFA, February 18, 2025
https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/zhengzhi/waijiao/2025/02/18/china-fourth-aircraft-carrier/

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

China and Brazil Reportedly in Talks to Trade Fighter Jets for Space Program Access

According to Brazilian media reports, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Brazil may be negotiating a deal where the CCP will provide Brazil with advanced J-10C fighter jets through a combination of “donation + export” in exchange for access to Brazil’s Alcântara Aerospace Launch Center.

The strategic location of the launch site would allow China to more conveniently monitor U.S. aerospace activities, posing a potential challenge to U.S. defense strategy. This move is seen as a direct countermeasure to Trump’s plan to take control of the Panama Canal.

Source: Aboluo, January 15, 2025
https://www.aboluowang.com/2025/0115/2160345.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

CCP Designates December 24th as Day of Commemoration for Battle of Chosin Reservoir, Replacing Christmas Eve

In December 2024, Chinese media, including the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) mouthpiece Xinhua News Agency, has asserted that December 24th should not be celebrated as Christmas Eve, but rather as the victory day of the Battle of Chosin Reservoir (长津湖战役). This battle marked the first major military confrontation between the Chinese army and U.S. and U.N. forces during the Korean War.

Netizens discovered that, following 2019, platforms including Baidu and other Chinese internet sites made alterations to the timeline of the battle, changing its end date from December 13, 1950, to December 24th. This revision provided Chinese media with a basis on which to “reclaim” Christmas Eve as a day for promotion of the CCP’s anti-U.S. narrative.

Sources:
1. Radio Free Asia, December 25, 2024
https://www.rfa.org/cantonese/news/china-christmas-eve-battle-of-lake-changjin-nationalism-12252024112521.html
2.  Aboluo, December 29, 2024
https://www.aboluowang.com/2024/1229/2152143.html

Hot Topics | | |   @CS Defense/Military Government/Politics US-China Relations

PLA Daily Criticizes Xi Jinping’s Centralized Authority and Leadership Style

PLA Daily, the official newspaper of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA), recently published four articles in succession, all directly “pointing to” (criticizing) Xi Jinping’s principle of “Centralized Authority” and the “Central Military Commission Chairmanship Responsibility System.”

The first article, published on December 4, is titled “Take the Lead in Upholding Party Principles,” with the subtitle “Consciously Set an Example in Upholding Democratic Centralism.”

The second article, published on December 9, is titled “Take the Lead in Upholding Collective Leadership.” It states: “The Party’s leadership is the collective leadership of the Party committee, not the leadership of one or two individuals. This means that within the leadership team of party organizations at all levels, regardless of who it is, collective leadership must be upheld. Major decisions must be made through collective discussion and decision-making… No individual can override the leadership collective.”

The third article, published on December 11, is titled “Take the Lead in Promoting Inner-Party Democracy.” It writes: “Democratic centralism starts with democracy, followed by centralism. Within the Party organization, the relationship between the secretary, deputy secretary, and committee members is equal, and everyone has equal rights to speak and vote when discussing and deciding issues… The secretary and deputy secretary should emphasize equal communication, so that committee members feel free to speak. Although the secretary is the ‘head of the team,’ they should never treat themselves as the ‘head of the family,’ turning the relationship with committee members into a hierarchical administrative one, or viewing the responsibility for daily party work as a higher authority over other members.”

The fourth article, published on December 16, is titled “Take the Lead in Safeguarding the Unity of the Leadership Team.” The article states: “When the secretary and deputy secretary are united like one person, the entire team will be united like a family. It is often said that the success of the leadership team depends on the first two leaders.” This phrasing is almost entirely a critique of Xi Jinping. As we know, Xi Jinping emphasizes struggle and hopes that members of the Central Military Commission and the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau will submit to him.

Source: Epoch Times, December 20, 2024
https://hk.epochtimes.com/news/2024-12-20/23720205

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Government/Politics

PLA Spokesperson Comments on Zhuhai Airshow

China holds the China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition at Zhuhai City, Guangdong Province (Zhuhai Airshow) each year. Wu Qian, the spokesperson of the Ministry of National Defense, commented on it at a press conference on November 28.

Reporter: At the recent Zhuhai Airshow, multiple domestically produced weapons, including the J-35A, made their debut, drawing significant international attention. Some U.S. officials remarked that China has become the second country after the U.S. to simultaneously possess two stealth fighter jets. They believe this poses a strong challenge to U.S. air superiority and marks a critical step for China in contesting U.S. dominance in the Indo-Pacific region. How does China respond to these comments?

Wu Qian: This year’s China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition was a great success, with five highlights worth noting:

  1. Debut of multiple weapon systems: The medium-sized stealth multi-role fighter jet J-35A, the HQ-19 surface-to-air missile system, a new reconnaissance-attack integrated drone, the J-15T carrier-based fighter jet, the J-15D carrier-based electronic warfare aircraft, and the Z-20J carrier-based helicopter made their first public appearances.
  2. Increased openness in interactions: Air Force delegations from 42 countries participated officially.
  3. Spectacular aerial performances: The airshow featured dazzling flight displays.
  4. Comprehensive equipment coverage: For the first time, the PLA Navy organized a live equipment exhibition, creating a new integrated dynamic demonstration format covering air, sea, and land while also encompassing domains such as space, cyber, and electronic warfare.
  5. Showcase of unmanned intelligent equipment: The exhibition featured a dedicated area for drones and unmanned ships, unveiling systems like the “Orca” large unmanned combat boat, the “Robot Wolf” combat team, and the “Baidi” aerospace combat aircraft model.

Source: Xinhua, November 29, 2024
http://www.xinhuanet.com/milpro/20241128/10ef33e124c0463cb3cc6a0a1771515a/c.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military