Chinese Communist Party

China
A new faction forms around Xi Jingping: the Tsinghua clique

The group of senior officials gradually emerging as the new clique around Xi Jingping have one thing in common, they all attended the president's alma mater, Tsinghua, in Beijing.

China
Xi Jinping invites foreign experts into closed-door meetings on China's challenges

The Chinese Communist Party is increasingly relying on small meetings with foreign participants to tackle the country's problems. It has launched a new LinkedIn recruitment campaign with the aim of building a database of foreign experts who can be called upon at short notice when needed.

The Agencies' Gazette
UK tight with US space force, Uzbek state probe, Abbas succession reboot, Russian separatists summit, China's reservists

Appointments, reforms and key issues: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community. This week, we hone in on London and Tashkent via Ramallah, Brussels and Beijing.

United Kingdom/United States Britain buddies up with US Space Force

Uzbekistan Senior officials investigated by State Security Service

Palestinian territories Abbas's presumed successor falls from grace

Brussels Kremlin opponents and separatist leaders gather at European Parliament

China Xi changes reservist conscription system

China
China builds team to develop strategies to thwart post-Taiwan invasion sanctions

The appointment of Gao Xiang as head of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences confirms of President Xi Jinping's goal to take control of Taiwan. If successful in this, he anticipates it would throw China into a long period of economic isolation.

China
Xi instructs media to increase coverage of France, South Korea and Pakistan

The Chinese president has been working closely with his propaganda unit to use the media to draw attention to those countries with which China would like to renew contact. He has three specific leaders in mind: Emmanuel Macron, Yoon Suk-yeol and Shehbaz Sharif.

Spotlight | Afghanistan, China
The unassuming Kabul guest house at the heart of China's Afghan business networks

The recently signed deal between a Chinese mining group and the Taliban authorities was made possible by the existence of a Chinese political and commercial network in Kabul, with, at its heart, a guest house for visiting Chinese business people.

United States
All eyes in the House on intelligence as new committees created on China, and politicisation

The FBI and CIA have been targeted by the House of Representatives, now majority Republican, which just voted to create two select committees, one on the weaponisation of the federal government and the other, on military, financial and technological competition with China.

China
Xi Jinping to bring PLA political commissars to heel

In his third term, China's president wants to consolidate his hold over his country's military apparatus. To regain control over the politics of the People's Liberation Army, Xi has chosen to drastically rein in political commissars, who have now been relegated to merely executing the party's will.

Spotlight | China
Inspired by Russia's mistakes, Beijing fine-tunes its military strategy on Taiwan

The Chinese president convened the Central Military Commission last month to discuss Taiwan and the new direction its military strategy should take on the island, and particularly on its eastern flank, in the light of Russian setbacks in Ukraine.

China
Xi Jinping chooses the CCP's future leadership team

After winning backing in October for his plans to govern China until 2037, Xi Jinping has begun preparing a new generation of leaders to take up key positions in the Chinese Communist Party. This is a way of assuring himself of their loyalty.

Europe, Taiwan
Taiwan's spies talk up China threat to European counterparts

Agents working out of diplomatic missions have stepped up a campaign to spread the word about Beijing's purported growing hostility.

Japan, Vatican
Japan tries charm offensive on Vatican City

The Japanese authorities have asked the Sasakawa Peace Foundation to resume its collaborative work with the Holy See as a way for Japan to play a role in negotiations between Pope Francis and Xi Jinping.

China, Hong Kong
Xi unveils Hong Kong and Macau renaissance plan

The Chinese Communist Party has sent an official delegation to Hong Kong and Macau to explain the details of its new project aimed at creating greater coherence between Beijing and its "periphery".

The Agencies' Gazette
Syrian chemical programme, UK's Economic Crime Committee, Swedish StratCom at NATO, Pakistani ambassador in Kabul, Skopje and NATO, PLA in Taiwan

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community from London to Stockholm, via Kabul and Skopje.

France/SyriaFrench company Smart Pegasus remains under sanctions for participating in Syrian chemical weapons program.

United KingdomOpposition MP's push parliamentary Economic Crime Committee project.

Sweden/LatviaSwedish anti-fake news agency shines at NATO's StratCom.

Pakistan/AfghanistanISI investigates attempted assassination of Pakistani ambassador in Kabul.

North MacedoniaSkopje intelligence chief learns the rope at NATO.

ChinaPeople's Liberation Army tests modern urban warfare techniques to hone Taiwan strategy.

Taiwan
Xi Jinping's allies try to tip Taiwanese opinion towards closer cooperation with the mainland

Chinese President Xi Jinping quietly mobilised his supporters to help the Kuomintang win the municipal elections in Taiwan.