All articles - China

Xi's plans to turn Alibaba into an AI research tool for defence take shape

To bolster his ambitions for a national semiconductor and machine learning software industry, Xi Jinping has put his faith in Alibaba. Now back under the control of the Chinese Communist Party, the tech giant is teaming up with state universities and poaching world-renowned academics.

Beijing at odds with Barzani clan over $5bn 'happy city'

Iraq is a key step in China's new silk road project and Beijing intends to invest heavily in the autonomous region of Kurdistan. But its plans to build a new district in Ebril, already two years behind schedule, are now under threat.

The Agencies' Gazette
Russia's mobilisation, PUK ends internal feud, EU's foresight hub, France's cyber security plan at UN, defence attachés' battles in Indo-Pacific region

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online reports on developments great and small in the global intelligence community. This week, we bring news from Moscow, Erbil, New York, Helsinki and Brussels.

RussiaMobilisation a pretext for settling scores between siloviki and opponents.

IraqThe Patriotic Union of Kurdistan puts end to internal feud.

European UnionEEAS seeks private sector contractor for future strategic foresight hub.

France/Germany/United StatesMacron tries to revive cyber action programme at UN.

United States/ChinaBattle of defence attachés in Indo-Pacific region.

Xi Jinping eyes conscription to forge new army

The Chinese president intends to completely upend the structure of the People's Liberation Army during his next term, with plans for mandatory workshops on China's strategy goals, training sessions with the army and promises of a secure career with strong prospects.

Chinese military commission convinces Xi Jinping to be conciliatory with Japan

The top army body and the president have been confronting their views over the diplomatic and military approach to be taken towards Japan.

Benedetto Fu gives Matteo Renzi behind scenes advice on China

For the past two years, the Italian former PM has had an adviser secretly helping him to explore partnerships and establish relations with the right people in China, Intelligence Online can reveal.

Beijing's painstaking work to open up Cambodia's political and royal doors

In order to have a free hand to develop its naval holdings in the country, Beijing has ensured that it has a dedicated team of businessmen in Prime Minister Hun Sen's entourage.

The Agencies' Gazette
Charles III's spies, Iraqi Mukhabarat mobilised, Confucius Institutes under US pressure, research at GCHQ, German counter-espionage and France's CNRLT

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets from the global intelligence community and this week we're heading to Kerbala, Washington, London, Berlin and Paris.

United Kingdom Charles III, King of Spies

Iraq Intelligence services suit up ahead of Arba'een pilgrimage

United States/China Pressure mounts on Confucius institutes

United Kingdom GCHQ creates a behavioural science research centre to screen hires

Germany Doubts over counter-terrorism, now counter-espionage

France New candidate for the CNRLT

China Mineral Resources Group serves as template for Xi's new key sector conglomerates

China Mineral Resources Group looks to be serving as a model for the Chinese Communist Party's efforts to boost the strategic influence of public sector companies in key sectors through the creation of conglomerates formed by existing state-owned groups.

Beijing puts out feelers to gauge potential foreign reaction to Taiwan attack

China's Ministry of State Security is re-launching an overseas intelligence gathering campaign to better define its strategy towards Taiwan.

Russia chooses deputy foreign minister as new ambassador in Beijing

The appointment has still to be approved by the Chinese foreign ministry, but should reinforce the strategic partnership Moscow is seeking to establish with its powerful neighbour. It is also an indication of Russia's multilateralist ambitions in Asia.

China gains upper hand in strategic Piraeus port expansion

Beijing has won a further victory over the United States in their struggle for influence in Greece, with the approval of a major expansion of Chinese maritime giant Cosco's operations in the Port of Piraeus.

Spotlight
US plans tactical intel releases to counter China

A reform under discussion in the US Congress includes proposals not only to develop intelligence-gathering and analysis but also more offensive measures aimed at exposing corruption and breaches of international law by Beijing.