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Taiwan President Lai Ching-te Announces “National Security Action Plan to Safeguard the Democratic Taiwan”

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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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CNA: U.S. AI Supply Chain Alliance Adds New Member

Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) recently reported that, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) just signed documents to join a U.S.-led alliance named Pax Silica for supply chain cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) and key minerals.

Washington launched this economic security initiative last year in an effort to counter China’s growing influence in advanced technology. Pax Silica currently has nine member states: South Korea, the United States, Australia, Israel, Japan, Qatar, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates. The U.S. State Department said that India plans to join as a signatory next month.

Pax Silica members will jointly establish multi-layered partnerships to strengthen supply chain security, address coercive dependencies and single points of failure, and promote the adoption of trustworthy technology ecosystems. The member states will collaborate on flagship projects across all levels of global technology stacks, including connectivity and edge infrastructure such as 6G, computing and data centers, advanced manufacturing, logistics, mineral refining and processing, and energy.

Last December, representatives from the U.S., Japan, Israel, Australia, Singapore, and South Korea jointly signed the “Silicon Peace Declaration” and held the first Pax Silica Summit. Taiwan, the European Union, Canada, and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) also participated as guests.

Source: CNA, January 15, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/ait/202601150136.aspx

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend

Different Accounts Surround the Arrest of PLA Senior Leader Zhang Youxia

Following Beijing’s announcement of the detention of Zhang Youxia (张又侠), Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission (CMC), sharply differing stories about the circumstances of his arrest have circulated online.

Version One: Chinese democracy activist Sheng Xue (盛雪) stated in a social media post—citing sources within China’s political system—that Zhang Youxia and CMC Joint Staff Chief Liu Zhenli were detained over an alleged “failed coup attempt” targeting Xi Jinping. According to her account, the two were planning to move against Xi on the night of January 18, believing he would be staying at Beijing’s Jingxi Hotel. The plan was reportedly exposed about two hours before it was to be executed. After receiving the warning, Xi quietly left the hotel and swiftly arranged countermeasures. Unaware that the plot had been compromised, Zhang’s side allegedly sent advance personnel to the hotel, where an armed confrontation reportedly broke out between the two sides, resulting in casualties. Sheng claimed that Xi then ordered the immediate detention of Zhang and Liu, along with their family members, and that official announcements were released only after the situation had been fully brought under control.

Version Two: Independent political commentator Cai Shenkun (蔡慎坤), who was one of the first people reported Zhang’s arrest, offered a markedly different interpretation, arguing that the detentions were not an emergency response but the culmination of a large-scale, long-planned purge at the highest levels of the CCP. Citing cross-verified information from multiple sources familiar with internal operations, Cai said the action was carefully orchestrated in advance and jointly led by the Central Guard Bureau, the Ministry of Public Security’s special operations units, and senior officials from the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection. He described the operation as a centrally coordinated “joint action,” rather than a move by any single agency. A defining feature was “neutralizing the perimeter before targeting the core,” in which Zhang’s security staff, aides, and secretaries were replaced ahead of time to sever his access to his power network and real-time information, leaving him no room to react. Cai added that the timing was well calculated and that the overriding objective was absolute security and success. The rapid spread of information, Cai concluded, suggests the operation was broad in scope, with multiple senior military officers reportedly being investigated simultaneously rather than through isolated, sequential actions.

Sources:
1. Epoch Times, January 24, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/1/24/n14683367.htm
2. Yahoo! (Taiwan), January 24, 2026
https://tw.news.yahoo.com/張又俠被抓非臨時決策-蔡慎坤揭內幕-中央警衛局主導-行動早已佈局-042953943.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military Government/Politics

China Launches Disciplinary and Legal Investigations Into Senior Military Leaders Zhang Youxia and Liu Zhenli

Beijing announced on January 24 that Zhang Youxia (张又侠), a member of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Politburo and Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), and Liu Zhenli (刘振立), a CMC member and Chief of the CMC Joint Staff Department, are suspected of serious violations of Party discipline and the law. Following deliberations by the CCP Central Committee, authorities have decided to open formal disciplinary and legal investigations into both officials.

People’s Daily republished a PLA Daily commentary detailing the alleged misconduct. The commentary states that, “As senior Party and military leaders, Zhang and Liu gravely betrayed the trust of the Party Central Committee and the CMC. They seriously undermined and violated the CMC chairman responsibility system, exacerbated political and corruption-related problems that weaken the Party’s absolute leadership over the armed forces, and endangered the party’s governing foundation. Their actions damaged the authority and credibility of the CMC leadership, severely undermined political unity and morale within the armed forces, and inflicted major harm on the military’s political foundations, internal governance, and combat effectiveness. The case has had extremely serious negative consequences for the Party, the state, and the military.”

The “CMC chairman responsibility system” is a fancy term to state that Xi Jinping, the Chairman of the CMC, controls the military. Saying “Zhang and Liu are accused of undermining and violating the CMC chairman responsibility system” would imply that they challenged Xi’s dominance over the military.

Source: People’s Daily, January 24, 2026
http://politics.people.com.cn/n1/2026/0125/c1001-40652025.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Defense/Military Government/Politics

Czech Authorities Arrest Alleged Chinese Intelligence Operative Linked to Plot Against Taiwan Vice President

In March 2024, during a visit by Taiwan Vice President Hsiao Bi-khim to the Czech Republic, Czech Military Intelligence (VZ) revealed that Chinese intelligence services closely monitored her movements and even considered orchestrating a “demonstrative” car crash as a form of intimidation.

Following an extended investigation, Czech authorities arrested a key individual accused of long-term cooperation with Chinese intelligence services on January 18, 2026. According to the Czech outlet Deník N, the suspect is Yang Yiming, a Prague-based correspondent for China’s state-run Guangming Daily. Yang had worked in the Czech Republic for many years and had repeatedly received extensions to his work permit from the Czech government.

Investigators allege that Yang exploited his status as a journalist to move freely within Czech and Slovak political circles, collecting intelligence under the guise of media interviews—particularly information related to political interactions involving Taiwan. Reports further claim that he used so-called “technical cooperation” with local media to disseminate pro-China narratives domestically, while covertly serving China’s military intelligence apparatus.

The arrest is being described as a milestone in Czech counterintelligence history. In 2025, the Czech Republic amended its criminal code to designate “unauthorized activities on behalf of a foreign power” as a serious criminal offense. Yang is the first suspect charged under this revised law. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison, with potential sentences of up to 15 years if the offense is deemed to have occurred during wartime.

Source: CReaders.net, January 23, 2026
https://news.creaders.net/world/2026/01/23/2963267.html

Briefings | | |   @CS Geo-Strategic Trend Government/Politics

Xinhua: “China Speed” Lights Up the Global AI Development Map

Xinhua News Agency publishes an article, claiming China’s rapid advances in artificial intelligence (AI) have captured widespread attention, showcasing a fast-paced innovation drive across the economy. In China’s draft 15th Five-Year Plan, the term “intelligent” appears 16 times, underscoring AI’s central role in industrial development, cultural advancement, public services, and social governance. AI is increasingly positioned as a key engine of China’s competitiveness on the global technological frontier.

On the technology front, China is racing to secure strategic advantages. Domestic AI and semiconductor companies have moved swiftly into capital markets, with large-model developers such as Zhipu and MiniMax listing in Hong Kong, alongside GPU manufacturers including Moore Threads and Biren Technology. These firms emphasize self-reliant innovation, strong performance, and cost efficiency, seeking to build a complete domestic ecosystem spanning foundation models and high-end chips.

More significantly, China’s AI development is shifting from research toward large-scale application. The country is entering the “second half” of AI growth, focusing on real-world deployment rather than model training alone. The government’s “Guiding Opinions on Deepening the Implementation of the “AI+” Action Plan” further clarifies this roadmap: by 2030, AI is expected to comprehensively empower high-quality development, with adoption rates of next-generation intelligent terminals, AI agents, and related applications exceeding 90 percent.

AI is already transforming healthcare, scientific research, manufacturing, and daily life in China. Examples include Alibaba’s AI-based cancer screening tools; the Chinese Academy of Sciences’ Panshi AI-assisted research platform; and the world’s first “island-style” lean intelligent manufacturing factory by Huawei and SAIC-GM-Wuling. By the end of 2025, China had established more than 35,000 basic-level smart factories, over 7,000 advanced-level facilities, and more than 230 excellence-level factories. Humanoid robots have also achieved a critical breakthrough, moving from laboratory research to production lines. AI agents are capable of handling real-world tasks—such as ordering food or booking travel—are bringing AI from conversation into practical action.

Source: Xinhua, January 20, 2026
https://www.news.cn/tech/20260120/f059fd8d33ba4800bfac9b345bae4505/c.html

Briefings | | |   Economy/Resources Information/Technology

China Reports Record 1 Million Corruption Cases in 2025, Nearly 1 Million Punished

According to information released on January 17 on the website of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection (CCDI) and the National Supervisory Commission, China’s disciplinary inspection and supervision authorities opened 1.012 million cases in 2025, while 983,000 individuals were disciplined — both figures reaching record highs.

Among those investigated were 115 officials at the provincial–ministerial level or above, with 69 such senior officials receiving disciplinary punishment. In addition, authorities opened cases against 33,000 individuals for bribery-related offenses, and 4,306 cases were transferred to procuratorial authorities for prosecution.

Since Xi Jinping took office in late 2012, official data show that more than 7.2 million people have been punished in China’s anti-corruption campaign. While the campaign is presented as an effort to curb widespread corruption, critics argue it has failed to eradicate the problem but instead served to further consolidate Xi’s position as China’s most powerful leader in decades.

Source: Central News Agency (Taiwan), January 18, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/acn/202601180027.aspx

Briefings | | |   @CS Government/Politics

People’s Daily: Drone Operators Become a “Standard Position” in Combat Squads

People’s Daily reported that the People’s Liberation Army’s 72nd Group Army has made drone flight control operators a standard billet within combat squads.

“Recent regional conflicts have clearly demonstrated the growing role of drones in modern warfare. Drone operators have become indispensable personnel for militaries around the world,” a senior officer from the group army told reporters. In recent years, the unit has adopted a training model in which the group army prepares instructors, while each brigade leverage those instructors to train their drone operators.

Instructors include both in-house specialists and expert faculty from military academies. The group army has implemented a system of platform-based classification and tiered personnel training, with instruction tailored to different drone types—such as FPV racing drones and aerial photography drones. Operators are divided into three levels—basic, intermediate, and advanced—with training groups adjusted weekly to enable differentiated instruction and a progressive talent-development pipeline. The unit has also established joint talent-development mechanisms with military academies and research institutes, regularly conducting technical exchanges and professional collaboration activities.

Source: People’s Daily, January 19, 2026
http://military.people.com.cn/n1/2026/0119/c1011-40647853.html

Briefings | | |   Defense/Military

CNA: Taiwanese Exports to U.S. Exceed Exports to China for First Time in 26 Years

Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) recently reported that Taiwan’s exports to the United States reached US$198.27 billion in 2025, exceeding the approximately US$170.68 billion in exports to China and Hong Kong for the first time in 26 years.

According to statistics from the Taiwanese Ministry of Finance, Taiwan’s exports to its five major markets in 2025 all increased simultaneously. Exports to the United States reached US$198.27 billion, setting a new historical record. In the meantime, the proportion of exports to the United States increased to 30.9 percent, higher than the 26.6 percent for exports to China and Hong Kong combined.

The newly released data was based on Taiwan’s latest customs import and export trade statistics. Last year, Taiwan’s exports reached US$640.75 billion and imports reached US$483.61 billion, both setting new historical records. The year-over-year growth rates were 34.9 percent and 22.6 percent respectively. And the trade surplus of US$157.14 billion also set a new record.

Overall, the main export categories are information/communication and audio-visual products, as well as electronic components. Furthermore, exports of information/communication and audio-visual products increased by 89.5 percent year-over-year, and exports to the United States increased by 78 percent year-over-year, both setting unprecedented growth records.

The shift in Taiwan’s foreign trade landscape is related to global supply chain restructuring. It’s worth noting that, as ASEAN gradually becomes a new core of the global supply chain, its share of Taiwan’s total exports has risen to 18.6 percent, the highest in nearly 11 years.

Source: CNA, January 9, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/afe/202601090257.aspx

Briefings | | |   Geo-Strategic Trend