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The Red Coup – China’s Hostile Takeover of Free-World Education

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Chinese-Language Reports on the CCP’s September 3 Military Parade

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Chinese Think Tanker: Unraveling the Philippines–U.S. Coordinated “South China Sea Discourse Trap”

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Is Xi Jinping Losing Power?

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China Proposes Legislation to Regulate AI-Generated Content and Protect National Security

China’s Cyberspace Administration has drafted provisional regulations to govern anthropomorphic AI interaction services, prohibiting the generation and dissemination of content that endangers national security, damages national honor and interests, or spreads rumors that disrupt economic and social order.

According to the official website of China’s Cyberspace Administration, the draft “Interim Measures for the Management of Anthropomorphic Artificial Intelligence Interaction Services” was released for public consultation on December 27th. The proposed regulations aim to promote the healthy development and standardized application of anthropomorphic AI interaction services while safeguarding national security, social public interests, and the legitimate rights of citizens, legal entities, and other organizations. The measures advocate for innovative development of these services while implementing prudent and classified supervision to prevent abuse and loss of control.

The draft outlines eight prohibited activities for providers and users of anthropomorphic interaction services. These include generating or spreading content that harms national security, damages national honor and interests, undermines ethnic unity, conducts illegal religious activities, or spreads rumors disrupting economic and social order. Additionally, the regulations prohibit content promoting obscenity, gambling, violence, or criminal instruction, as well as content that insults or defames others and infringes upon their legitimate rights.

The measures also forbid services that provide false promises significantly affecting user behavior or damage social relationships. Further restrictions address activities that harm users’ physical health through encouraging or glorifying suicide and self-harm, or damage psychological health through verbal violence and emotional manipulation. The regulations prohibit inducing unreasonable user decisions through algorithmic manipulation, information misleading, or emotional traps, as well as soliciting classified sensitive information and other violations of laws and regulations.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), December 28, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202512280074.aspx

Briefings | | |   Government/Politics Information/Technology

Does China Have Only Five Full Generals Left?

China’s military held a promotion ceremony on December 22, elevating Eastern Theater Command Commander Yang Zhibin and Central Theater Command Commander Han Shengyan to the rank of full general (上将). However, observers noted that many senior full generals who had previously been active in the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) were absent from the event, fueling speculation about internal turmoil within the military leadership.

According to state media, only four full generals — Zhang Youxia, Zhang Shengmin, Liu Zhenli, and Dong Jun — attended the ceremony, far fewer than at comparable events in past years. By contrast, a similar promotion ceremony one year earlier reportedly drew 20 full generals. This sharp drop suggests that as many as 16 generals, or roughly 80 percent of the PLA’s full generals, were absent, raising questions about whether they have been removed, sidelined, or are undergoing disciplinary investigations.

Further speculation intensified after two separate sources, on December 22 and December 25, reported that Dong Jun may also have fallen. According to these reports, he was removed from his post as Minister of National Defense and could face disciplinary investigation — a common mechanism in China for bringing down high-ranking officials. If confirmed, Dong could also lose his rank of full general. Sources:
1. Epoch Times, December 23, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/12/23/n14660764.htm
2. Epoch Times, December 26, 2025
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/25/12/26/n14662443.htm

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

Huanqiu Times: Strategic Thinking Behind Japan’s Turn Toward Central Asia

Japan held its first-ever summit with the five Central Asian countries — Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan — in Tokyo from December 19 to 20, concluding with the adoption of the Tokyo Declaration.

The declaration commits Japan and the five countries to strengthening economic ties and advancing practical cooperation. Key initiatives include a target of ¥3 trillion (approximately USD 20 billion) in business projects in Central Asia over the next five years, cooperation to reinforce supply chains for critical minerals in light of the region’s abundant natural resources, and the establishment of partnerships in artificial intelligence. It also calls for expanded cooperation on the Trans-Caspian transport corridor linking Central Asia with Europe, as well as joint efforts to uphold a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

Huanqiu Times commented that, from a geopolitical perspective, Central Asia has traditionally fallen within Russia’s sphere of influence and is also a key partner in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. By deepening ties with Central Asian states, Japan aims to expand its diplomatic footprint across Eurasia and enhance its strategic influence.

The commentary outlined several strategic considerations behind Japan’s approach. First, energy and resource security is a central concern, as the region possesses significant reserves of oil, natural gas, rare metals, and particularly Kazakhstan’s uranium resources. Second, Japan seeks to align with U.S. Central Asia strategy and cooperate in building resilient supply chains for critical resources. Third, Tokyo aims to promote the Trans-Caspian corridor to improve access to external markets for landlocked Central Asian countries. Fourth, Japan is seeking to balance and constrain Russia’s geopolitical pressure, especially as it affects Japan’s security environment in the Far East.

Sources:
1. NHK, December 20, 2025
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/zh/news/20251220_10/
2. Huanqiu Times, December 19, 2025
https://opinion.huanqiu.com/article/4Pbzcf5AxsL

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Chinese Buyers Leads Foreign Land Acquisitions in Japan’s Security-Sensitive Areas

The Japanese government has released data revealing that approximately 3 percent of land and buildings acquired in nationally significant security zones during the 2024 fiscal year were purchased by foreign individuals or entities, with mainland Chinese buyers accounting for nearly half of these foreign acquisitions. According to NHK reporting, this information comes as Japan implements stricter controls over strategically important properties near military and critical infrastructure sites.

Japanese law now regulates land purchases in areas deemed crucial for national security. The government has designated zones surrounding Self-Defense Force facilities, nuclear power plants, and other vital installations as either “areas of concern” or “areas of special concern” under this legal framework. The recent data covers all land and building transactions within these protected zones throughout the 2024 fiscal year.

Of the 113,827 newly acquired properties identified within these security-sensitive areas, 3,498 transactions involved foreign buyers, representing 3.1 percent of the total. Mainland Chinese individuals and corporations led with 1,674 acquisitions, followed by Taiwan with 414 purchases and South Korea with 378 transactions.

Under current legislation, the government possesses authority to issue orders or advisories if land use within these zones interferes with the functioning of important facilities. Authorities can demand cessation of specific land activities deemed problematic. However, the government confirmed that no cases warranting such intervention were identified during this statistical survey period, suggesting all foreign acquisitions complied with existing regulations and posed no immediate concerns to national security operations.

Source: NHK, December 16, 2025
https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/zh/news/20251216_ML04/

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend

Beijing Tightens Control Over Online Commentary on the Real Estate Market

Chinese authorities in Beijing are stepping up censorship and regulation of social media content related to the struggling property sector. Multiple government agencies have held meetings with major online platforms — including Douyin, Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), Beike, 58.com, and Xianyu — urging them to remove posts that “talk down” the real estate market or risk triggering public panic.

Officials said some accounts and posts were spreading pessimistic or misleading information that could undermine market confidence. Platforms were instructed to conduct internal reviews, delete problematic content and accounts, and strengthen long-term content moderation mechanisms. Authorities report that more than 17,000 pieces of content have already been removed.

These measures are part of broader efforts by the government to manage public discourse and maintain stability in the property market, which has remained under pressure amid China’s economic slowdown.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), December 18, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202512180084.aspx

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

UDN: Germany’s Exports to US Expected to Decline While Deficit with China to Reach New High

United Daily News (UDN), one of the primary Taiwanese news groups, recently reported that Germany’s Trade and Investment Agency (GTAI) said, by the end of 2025, German exports to the United States are expected to decline sharply, while the trade deficit with China will reach a record high. GTAI analysis points to U.S. tariff policies, weak demand in the U.S. and Chinese markets, and German companies shifting production to China as the main reasons.

GTAI estimated that Germany’s exports will grow by only 0.6 percent in 2025, totaling approximately 1.6 trillion Euros. Germany’s exports to its largest export market, the United States, are projected to decline by 7.3 percent compared to 2024.

Germany’s core manufacturing sector also faces competitive pressure from China – machinery manufacturing as an example. German car exports are projected to decline by approximately 3.2 percent too, primarily due to weak demand in the Chinese market and competition from Chinese electric vehicles. Germany’s total exports to China are projected to decline by approximately 10 percent in 2025.

On the import side, Germany’s reliance on China continues to deepen. GTAI projects that Germany’s imports from China increases by 7.2 percent annually, making China Germany’s largest supplier of goods. With declining exports and continuously expanding imports, Germany’s trade deficit with China will climb to approximately 87 billion Euros, a record high according to GTAI.

Source: UDN, December 15, 2025
https://money.udn.com/money/story/5599/9204967

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

CNA: For the First Time in 30 Years, China’s 2025 Fixed-Asset Investment May Turn Negative

China’s National Bureau of Statistics reported that from January to November 2025, the country’s fixed-asset investment declined 2.6 percent year on year, a sharper drop than the 1.7 percent decrease recorded through October. Based on this trajectory, Japanese media predict that China’s total fixed-asset investment for all of 2025 could register an overall decline, marking the first negative growth since the data series began in 1995.

The report noted that investment has been contracting on a month-by-month basis since February, signaling that China’s traditional, investment-driven growth model is losing momentum. Analysts attribute the downturn to mounting fiscal pressures on local governments, which have curtailed spending, as well as central government efforts to rein in excessive investment in certain sectors.

Economists warn that continued weakness in investment could further dampen domestic demand and slow China’s overall economic growth.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), December 16, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202512160236.aspx

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources

Taiwan Troops Will Act Without Waiting for Central Orders If China Launches a Sudden Attack

Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense said that if China announces a complex military operation around the Taiwan Strait, Taiwan will raise its alert level, immediately conduct combat-readiness drills, and take steps to prevent the situation from escalating from a military exercise into actual conflict.

The ministry added that in the event of a sudden attack, Taiwan’s military units would act without waiting for centralized orders, relying on a decentralized command structure to carry out combat operations swiftly and effectively.

The remarks were made as the Legislative Yuan’s Foreign and National Defense Committee held a briefing on potential conflict hotspots in and around the Taiwan Strait. In a written report, the Defense Ministry emphasized that, in response to China’s expanding military capabilities, Taiwan and other Indo-Pacific countries are strengthening multilateral cooperation and defense preparedness. Taiwan is also closely monitoring China’s military activities and potential future moves to ensure early warning and rapid response.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), December 17, 2025
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202512150263.aspx

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Geo-Strategic Trend