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China Builds Installations in China–South Korea Joint Waters, Raising Security Concerns

A December 9 report by Beyond Parallel, a Korea-focused website run by the U.S. think tank Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), revealed photographs of 16 Chinese installations constructed within the China–South Korea Interim Measures Zone in the Yellow Sea. Under the 2001 China–South Korea Fisheries Agreement, the overlapping exclusive economic zones in the Yellow Sea are designated as jointly managed waters. The report notes that the construction of permanent facilities in this area violates the agreement.

According to the report, China has repeatedly refused South Korea’s requests to remove the installations and has unilaterally declared no-navigation zones around them. Since 2020, South Korean vessels have attempted to monitor Chinese activities 135 times, with 27 of those attempts intercepted by Chinese coast guard ships. Analysts also note that China has deployed 13 multifunctional buoys capable of collecting oceanographic data but potentially usable for underwater surveillance, including monitoring submarine activity—underscoring their dual civilian-military purpose.

Experts argue that these deployments reflect China’s broader “gray-zone” strategy, in which ostensibly civilian facilities are used to advance military objectives and strengthen maritime control. The Yellow Sea is considered strategically vital for Chinese naval operations moving south from bases in Shandong Province and the Bohai Gulf. The report urges the United States and South Korea to consider publicizing the coordinates of the installations. Meanwhile, South Korean media have called for reciprocal measures, citing similar responses by Vietnam, and South Korea has already begun countermeasures, including deploying its own floating platform in disputed waters—officially for environmental research—to monitor Chinese activities.

Source: Epoch Times, December 14, 2025
https://hk.epochtimes.com/news/2025-12-14/16128304

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

Huanqiu Times: Defending Peace in a Language the Enemy Understands

Huanqiu Times published an article justifying China’s recent military actions toward Japan. On the night of December 9, a joint China–Russia bomber patrol was conducted over international airspace east of the Kuril Islands, approximately 700 kilometers from Tokyo. Commentators noted that the patrol placed Tokyo within the potential strike range of the bombers, which are capable of carrying long-range cruise missiles and hypersonic weapons.

Separately, China stated that its Liaoning aircraft carrier group, operating east of the Miyako Strait in accordance with previously announced schedules, was repeatedly approached and harassed at close range by Japanese F-15 fighter jets. According to China, the Japanese aircraft deliberately attempted to interfere with flight paths and communications, prompting Chinese aircraft to activate fire-control radar in response.

Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te publicly condemned China’s actions as inappropriate.

The article criticized Lai Ching-te and Japanese prime minister Sanae Takaichi, describing them as figures promoting division and militarism. It concludes by stating that China is issuing a calm, firm, and reasoned warning in terms its adversaries understand: China’s sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity are inviolable and will not be compromised.

Source: Huanqiu Times, December 11, 2025
https://taiwan.huanqiu.com/article/4PV6wsMoV9N

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

Japan and Philippines Accuse China of Dangerous Military Actions, Heightening Regional Security Tensions

Japan and the Philippines have recently accused the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and China of “dangerous military conduct,” underscoring sharply rising security tensions in the region. Japan reported that Chinese warplanes from the carrier Liaoning locked their fire-control radar on Japanese Air Self-Defense Force F‑15 fighters twice near Okinawa — an act Tokyo described as reckless and hazardous to international air safety. Meanwhile, the Philippines alleges that Chinese forces fired warning flares at one of its patrol aircraft over a disputed area of the South China Sea.

The incidents occurred just weeks after Japan’s new prime minister suggested the possibility of collective self-defense in response to a crisis in Taiwan, a stance that has already drawn a sharp reaction from Beijing. Both Tokyo and Manila have formally protested the latest actions, demanding that China take measures to prevent such behavior from recurring.

Source: VOA, December 9, 2025
https://www.voachinese.com/a/japan-and-the-philippines-accuse-china-of-dangerous-military-conduct-escalating-security-pressure-on-us-allies-20251208/8091444.html

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PLA Trains Lower-Echelon Commanders in Joint-Operations Leadership

People’s Daily republished an article from PLA Daily, reports that a PLA Army brigade recently conducted an online command-and-control confrontation exercise, during which a battalion-level combined-arms commander directed multiple combat elements to execute coordinated strikes.

The brigade’s leadership said similar training has now become routine as they work to strengthen joint-operations proficiency among lower-echelon commanders, enabling them to synchronize ground forces with aviation, long-range strike, and special operations units. Recent exercises revealed gaps—including weak integration between air-landing and assault elements, and suboptimal fire-control decisions—which the program aims to address.

By training officers in air-sea situational awareness, route planning, target designation, and multi-domain coordination, the brigade seeks to shift junior commanders from narrow, ground-centric thinking toward a more comprehensive joint-operations mindset.

Source: People’s Daily, December 1, 2025
http://military.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1201/c1011-40614677.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

CSIS: Wargame Simulation Indicates Chinese Invasion of Taiwan Unlikely to Succeed if Taiwan, U.S., and Japan Respond Jointly

Japan’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s recent comments regarding a potential “Taiwan contingency” have prompted a strong reaction from Beijing. Analysts argue that this response reflects more than diplomatic friction—it reveals China’s underlying concerns about U.S.–Japan military cooperation in the event of a Taiwan Strait conflict. Japanese media, citing former Maritime Self-Defense Force officer and current military analyst “Major General Wolf,” note that these concerns rest on concrete strategic simulations rather than conjecture.

A 2023 wargame assessment by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) examined 24 potential invasion scenarios. In the simulations, China secured victory in only two, and only when the United States and Japan failed to coordinate their actions. In nearly every other case, joint U.S.–Japan involvement significantly diminished the People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA’s) chances of occupying Taiwan.

Experts distill the formula for preventing a successful takeover into three interdependent factors: Taiwan’s determination to defend itself, U.S. military intervention, and Japanese logistical and basing support. All three components, they argue, are essential. China’s sharp response to Takaichi’s remarks underscores this strategic reality—robust trilateral alignment among Taiwan, the United States, and Japan would make a PLA victory in the Taiwan Strait highly improbable.

Source: Secret China, December 3, 2025
https://www.secretchina.com/news/b5/2025/12/03/1091482.html

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Huanqiu Times: U.S. Deploys Marine Task Force to Philippines to Strengthen Allied Coordination

According to Stars and Stripes, citing the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the United States has deployed a military task force to the Philippines. The unit is led by Major General Thomas Savage, commanding general of the 1st Marine Division stationed at Camp Pendleton, California. The task force is responsible for coordinating exercises and operations between U.S. forces stationed on the islands and the Philippine military. The task force does not include equipment, warships, aircraft, or vehicles, and for operational security reasons, officials declined to disclose its headquarters. While the number of U.S. personnel will rotate based on host-country needs, approximately 60 core members will serve as the main staff.

A Chinese analyst suggested that the key message the U.S. task force conveys is America’s support for its allies and commitment to security cooperation, providing reassurance to the Philippine military.

Another analyst noted that the U.S. Marine Corps has three divisions. Typically, a Philippine task force would be led by the 3rd Marine Division, based in the Ryukyu Islands and responsible for South China Sea operations. However, in this case, leadership comes from the 1st Marine Division at Camp Pendleton. “From this detail, a few observations can be made: First, this may indicate that the 3rd Marine Division is currently heavily tasked and unable to spare personnel. Second, the U.S. may be planning to deploy the operational capabilities of the 1st Marine Division to the Indo-Pacific region, particularly the Western Pacific,” the analyst added.

Source: Huanqiu Times, November 30, 2025
https://world.huanqiu.com/article/4PLr3tl98S0

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

CCTV Reports Crackdown on Espionage Targeting China’s Crop Genetic Data

China Central Television (CCTV) reports that state security agencies have uncovered and disrupted foreign espionage operations aimed at obtaining the genetic data and seed resources of key crops including soybeans, corn, and rice. According to the report, foreign intelligence services sought to acquire hybrid parent seeds — which are banned from export — by recruiting domestic collaborators and using covert methods, such as concealing seeds in export consignments. One suspect, surnamed Zhu, was sentenced to one year and six months in prison, while 17 others were given administrative penalties.

The report claims that foreign “research teams,” in some cases linked to diplomats, made repeated attempts to enter major grain-producing regions to gather data on production and reserves under the guise of field studies. These individuals allegedly employed counter-surveillance techniques, including changing vehicles, traveling on rural routes, and displaying cautious behavior in the field, before being intercepted by security officials.

CCTV described these activities as a significant threat to China’s food security and to the protection of its agricultural genetic resources. National security agencies stated that they are continuing to investigate and prevent such incidents, and called on the public to report suspicious activity through official channels.

Source: CCTV, November 3, 2025
https://news.cctv.com/2025/11/03/ARTIVnWtm4dzLDLv654LYruG251103.shtml

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Economy/Resources

China’s Military and People’s Daily Describe Purge of He Weidong and Miao Hua as a “Before the Shots Are Fired” Move

People’s Daily republished an article from the PLA’s official website titled “The More Thorough the Anti-Corruption Struggle, the Stronger the Foundation for the Next Hundred Years,” framing the purge of former Central Military Commission (CMC) Vice Chairman He Weidong, CMC member Miao Hua, and other senior generals as a political necessity. The article emphasized:

“We must clearly understand that investigating and punishing major corruption cases involving He Weidong, Miao Hua, and others is a resolute struggle to defend the Party’s absolute leadership over the military, and a necessary step to eliminate the soil and conditions that allow corruption to grow.”

It further warned:

“If rotten elements are not thoroughly removed before the shots are fired, they will leave major risks to political security – consequences that would be unimaginable at a critical moment.”

The phrase “before the shots are fired” drew attention. According to former Central Party School professor Cai Xia, the purge was not initiated by Xi Jinping but was instead a preemptive counterattack launched by the other CMC Vice Chairman, Zhang Youxia. Xi’s review of weapons procurement and the sweeping corruption scandal in the Rocket Force had begun to encroach on Zhang’s sphere. Rather than wait, Zhang moved first, resulting in the takedown of He Weidong, Miao Hua, and multiple other generals.

Cai Xia further alleges:

“He Weidong and Miao Hua secretly planned to form a ‘private army’ in the Tianjin corridor – an armed force not subordinated to any theater command, intended to serve Xi Jinping in emergencies. Zhang Youxia uncovered the plan and used it as grounds to purge them.”

Sources:
1. People’s Daily, November 13, 2025
http://dangjian.people.com.cn/n1/2025/1113/c117092-40602812.html
2. Epoch Times, Novmeber 13, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/11/13/n14635190.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military