Civicidea

China accuses foreign forces of covertly stealing sensitive geospatial data

Newswire / /

China’s Ministry of State Security says foreign forces are covertly attempting to obtain and transfer the country’s sensitive geographic data, warning that such actions pose a threat to China’s national security.

According to the ministry, so-called “anti-China hostile forces” are using various methods, including covert mapping activities and the illegal collection and transmission of data, to gain information about China’s terrain, natural resources, and critical infrastructure.

The ministry says such geospatial data plays a significant role in economic planning as well as military and logistical operations, which is why any leakage is considered a serious security risk. It also highlights inadequate data protection practices that increase the risk of unauthorized access by foreign actors.

In recent years, the Chinese authorities have tightened legislation and oversight related to data security. Officially, Beijing says these measures are necessary to protect national security and regulate the digital space.

The warning was reported by South China Morning Post, which notes that Beijing views geographic and spatial data as a strategic resource and considers control over it a key component of its security policy.

Such statements from China fit into a broader context and reflect rising tensions with Western countries, particularly the United States, in the fields of security and technology.

Source: South China Morning Post

Author: Mariam Simsive

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The United States Warns China Not to Expand Its Influence in Latin America

Newswire, ერთი ახალი ამბავი / /

The United States has sent a clear message to China to refrain from strengthening its political and economic influence on the American continent. Reuters reports this in connection with a U.S. operation carried out in Venezuela, as a result of which Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife were detained on January 3.

According to senior U.S. administration officials, the operation related to Venezuela is part of a broader strategy aimed at limiting the growing influence of China and Russia in Latin America. As Reuters notes, Washington views the region as a key area of its national security and considers the strengthening of any competing power there a strategic challenge.

The report states that the United States is particularly concerned about China’s expanding economic involvement in Latin America, including in the energy sector. In recent years, China has become one of Venezuela’s main economic partners, especially in terms of oil exports and financial support. According to U.S. officials, this cooperation provides Beijing not only with economic leverage but also with political influence in the region.

Reuters writes that the steps taken in Venezuela serve as a direct signal to China that the United States will not allow the consolidation of geopolitical forces in Latin America that run counter to its interests. Officials emphasize that this is not about a single country, but about the entire region, where Washington seeks to maintain the traditional balance of influence.

The tightening of the U.S. position comes amid China’s active expansion of economic ties with Latin American countries through infrastructure projects, loans, and energy cooperation. The American side views this process as a long-term challenge and states that it will counter such moves through both diplomatic and security instruments.

Source: Reuters

Author: Mariam Simsive

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“Europe’s Money, China’s Companies, Georgia’s Authoritarians: The Paradox Undermining Western Leverage” – Tinatin Khidasheli’s New Analysis with CEIAS

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Tinatin Khidasheli, Head of Civic IDEA, has published a new analytical article with CEIAS – Central European Institute of Asian Studies, examining a critical paradox shaping contemporary geopolitics and democratic resilience.

The article, titled “Europe’s Money, China’s Companies, Georgia’s Authoritarians: The Paradox Undermining Western Leverage,” explores how inconsistencies in Western economic and political strategies are weakening democratic conditionality and enabling authoritarian adaptation.

In the analysis, Khidasheli highlights three key dynamics:

  • Erosion of Western leverage through inconsistency: While democratic backsliding is often addressed through political pressure and sanctions, international development financing continues to flow with limited democratic conditions.

     

  • Opportunities for Chinese state-owned companies: Firms restricted or sanctioned in Europe and the United States are successfully securing major infrastructure contracts financed by Western-backed institutions.

     

  • Georgia as a case study of authoritarian adaptation: The country exemplifies a broader pattern in which governments combine Western capital, Chinese companies, and fragmented accountability mechanisms to pursue modernization without democratic governance.

     

Read the full analysis

“Europe’s Money, China’s Companies, Georgia’s Authoritarians: The Paradox Undermining Western Leverage” – Tinatin Khidasheli’s New Analysis with CEIAS Read More »

China has joined talks between Thailand and Cambodia

Newswire, ერთი ახალი ამბავი / /

China has joined talks to end the escalating military action between Thailand and Cambodia. Since early December, China has been actively involved in negotiations aimed at halting the intensified military conflict between the two nations. On December 23, the Foreign Ministry’s Special Representative for Asian Affairs, Deng Zijun, concluded a six-day visit to Thailand and Cambodia, reaffirming China’s interest and commitment to ending the military conflict and stabilizing relations between the parties. In addition to this direct visit, Foreign Minister Wang Yi held separate telephone conversations with the Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers last week. 

The dispute between Thailand and Cambodia regarding the territory surrounding the Preah Vihear Temple has been a source of conflict for decades and has escalated alarmingly since July 2025. Reporting indicates that the fighting has claimed at least 60 lives and displaced more than half a million people.

Importantly, this visit represents China’s proactive attempt to play a significant role in stabilizing relations among Southeast Asian states. This marks a departure from its traditional foreign policy, which has largely maintained a “silent” and neutral stance regarding the territorial disputes of other countries. In an official statement, the Chinese Foreign Ministry expressed deep sorrow over the devastating consequences of the military actions and the high number of casualties, calling on both countries to end the conflict immediately. Furthermore, China positively evaluated the active involvement of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the peace talks, emphasizing its readiness to facilitate conditions and provide a platform for dialogue and negotiations between the two sides. China remains hopeful that both Cambodia and Thailand will work to restore mutual trust and peace along the border.

Notably, the United States was also actively involved in negotiations to end the military conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. Furthermore, in October, Donald Trump included the temporarily suspended military confrontation among the eight conflicts he claimed to have ended. However, shortly after this statement, the confrontation between Thailand and Cambodia escalated once again. In response to Trump’s assertion and the renewed military hostilities, China criticized the United States for its superficial approach. ChinaDaily was highly critical of America’s “transactional mediation,” emphasizing that, unlike the U.S., China’s involvement is aimed at addressing the root causes of the issue and establishing a long-term peace framework. Additionally, the article highlights that in a conflict characterized by complex historical sensitivities, few parties can gain the necessary trust for success. According to the article, China is one such party, capable of resolving this conflict as successfully as its mediation between Iran and Saudi Arabia last year.

Author: Mariam Kapanadze

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China’s Reaction to the U.S.–Venezuela Maritime Tensions

Newswire, ერთი ახალი ამბავი / /

The growing tensions between the United States, Venezuela, and China highlight the “gaps” present in the international system. The ongoing crisis between Venezuela and the U.S. demonstrates how far a major power can go in enforcing sanctions beyond its own jurisdiction.

The contentious issue is Washington’s expanded maritime policy, which targets energy shipments linked to sanctioned countries. The U.S. considers its actions a legitimate part of its sanctions policy, including the confiscation of oil tankers in international waters near Venezuela. Representatives of the U.S. National Security Council noted that these measures aim to halt the illicit transportation of sanctioned oil. Critics, however, argue that these measures further blur the line between law enforcement and de facto maritime coercion, which could have serious implications for international maritime law.

On December 22, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement condemning U.S. actions and describing the confiscation of a tanker linked to China as a “serious violation of international law.” The official Beijing stated that it opposes such unilateral measures carried out without U.N. authorization. At the same time, China expressed support for Venezuela’s appeal to the U.N. Security Council, where Washington’s actions were called “unilateral bullying” and a violation of Venezuela’s sovereignty.

For Beijing, the severity of the issue is linked not only to Venezuela but also to the precedent it sets. Chinese officials and analysts view this case as an example of how economic pressure can escalate into physical control over trade routes, a scenario that could be repeated in other waters in the future.

Although the precedent occurred directly in the Caribbean, it has sparked debates in East Asia as well. Analysts believe that measures taken against energy shipments today could be replicated in other regions in the future.

It is noteworthy that despite its dissatisfaction, China is not engaging in direct confrontation with the U.S. Instead, it is adapting to the situation through indirect means. Specifically, there are changes in procurement, insurance, and shipping strategies. These adjustments highlight the efforts of actors dependent on energy imports to ensure the resilience of supply chains amid geopolitical tensions.

Author: Nia Kokhreidze

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U.S. Unveils Largest-Ever Arms Package for Taiwan as China Pushes Back

Newswire, ერთი ახალი ამბავი / /

China’s Ministry of Defense says Beijing will step up military drills and take “firm measures” to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity, following the United States’ announcement of an $11.1 billion arms sale package for Taiwan. If approved, the deal would be the largest of its kind in the history of U.S.-Taiwan relations.

According to Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense, the proposed package includes eight different categories of weapons, among them HIMARS multiple rocket launch systems, howitzers, Javelin anti-tank missiles, Altius loitering munitions (so-called kamikaze drones), as well as spare parts for other military equipment.

The arms package still requires approval by the U.S. Congress. However, given Taiwan’s strong bipartisan support on Capitol Hill, the decision-making process is expected to face few obstacles.

In separate statements, the Pentagon stressed that the assistance is aimed at strengthening asymmetric defense capabilities, focusing on smaller, mobile, and technologically advanced systems. U.S. officials argue this approach is key to maintaining peace and stability in the region. Washington says the arms deliveries will help modernize Taiwan’s military and preserve “credible defensive capabilities,” aligning directly with U.S. national, economic, and security interests in countering China’s influence.

These priorities are also reflected in the U.S. National Security Strategy published earlier this month, which highlights Taiwan’s strategic importance as a geographic linchpin dividing Northeast and Southeast Asia into two distinct strategic zones.

Adding to regional tensions, Taiwan’s president announced last month that the island plans to allocate an additional $40 billion in defense spending between 2026 and 2033. President Lai Ching-te stated that “there is no room for compromise when it comes to national security.”

Meanwhile, despite concerns sparked by President Donald Trump’s deal-focused foreign policy and a planned visit to Chinese President Xi Jinping next year, developments on the ground suggest the opposite direction. Republicans are planning to increase arms sales to Taiwan to levels that would exceed even those seen during Trump’s first term. This is further reinforced by Trump’s signing of an annual defense policy bill worth nearly $1 trillion. The legislation allocates $1 billion to the Taiwan Security Cooperation Initiative and authorizes U.S. forces to continue military training activities on the island.

At the same time, Taiwan’s democratically elected government firmly rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, insisting that decisions about the island’s future belong solely to the Taiwanese people. China, however, continues to refuse talks with President Lai, labeling him a “separatist,” and has not ruled out the use of force to assert control over Taiwan.

Author: Sesili Adamia

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China in the South Caucasus and Kyrgyzstan (8-14 December)

Weekly news / /
Georgia

The number of Chinese tourists in Georgian mountain resorts is low

December 12

With the activation of the mountain resort season, great importance is attached to the number of tourists from around the world.

According to Erekle Kokaia, the executive director of the “Inn Group” hotels, the number of bookings at mountain resorts is increasing. However, the majority of tourists come from Israel and the Gulf countries. As for the number of tourists from China, Erekle Kokaia states that they have come to Georgian mountain resorts less. 

“Sakpatenti” participated in a training seminar organized by the National Intellectual Property Administration of China

December 16

A training seminar on intellectual property was held in Chongqing, People’s Republic of China, organized by the China National Intellectual Property Administration (CNIPA) within the framework of the “ Belt and Road” initiative.

The event aimed to promote the sharing of information and experience and to familiarize participants with China’s intellectual property policies and strategies.

From the Georgian side, the event was attended by Tika Nebieridze, Deputy Chairman of the Georgian National Intellectual Property Center – “Sakpatenti”, and Darejan Mchedlidze, Head of the department of Trademarks, Geographical Indications and Designs.

Intellectual property sessions were held within the framework of the seminars, where the participating parties presented the latest achievements of their countries in the field of intellectual property.

Within the framework of the seminars, Darejan Mchedlidze spoke about steps taken in Georgia to protect and strengthen intellectual property rights, recent legislative changes, and “Sakpatenti’s” plans. 

Azerbaijan

“ANAS” president meets with the Chinese director of science and technology

December 8 

In Baku, within the framework of the event dedicated to the 1800th anniversary of the birth of the outstanding Chinese mathematician Liu Hui, President of the Azerbaijan National Academy of sciences (ANAS) Isa Habibayli met with the Director of the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology Ruan Cao and his delegation.

The event highlighted the growing cooperation between China and Azerbaijan. Isa Habibayli noted that Azerbaijan supports the “One Belt, One Road” initiative. In addition, the ANAS Director highlighted the involvement of the Chinese delegation in the event dedicated to the 80th anniversary of ANAS last month.

For his part, the director of the Chinese Academy of Science and Technology, Ruan Cao, positively assessed the cooperation between the Chinese and Azerbaijani sides in the field of science and technology.

Azerbaijan and China are working to deepen cooperation in the field of transport and logistics

December 10

Azerbaijan’s Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Samedin Asadov, met with a Chinese delegation, which included members of the State Council’s State Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC). 

During the meeting, the discussion focused on cooperation between Azerbaijan and China in the field of transport and logistics and the prospects for its deepening. 

Sameddin Asadov noted that Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to support the “ One Belt, One Road” initiative. In addition, he provided the Chinese side with information on the infrastructure projects and investments implemented in Azerbaijan over the past 20 years. 

At the same time, Sameddin Asadov discussed the progress of the construction of the Zanzegur Corridor with Chinese representatives and expressed hope that this project would contribute to the simplification of regional communications and the maintenance of peace in the region.

National theaters of Azerbaijan and China begin cooperation

December 14

The Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama theatre, within the framework of the “Pathfinder” project of the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan, is starting cooperation with the National Theatre of the People’s Republic of China. The director of the Azerbaijan National Theatre, Ilham Asgarov, visited China for this purpose.

Within the framework of the visit, meetings were held at the National Drama Theatres of Gansu and Shandong Provinces, as well as at the Shandong Grand National Drama Theatre. It is important that a Memorandum of cooperation was signed between the Gansu National Drama Theatre and the Azerbaijan State Academic National Drama Theatre. The agreement includes staging dramaturgical works of both countries, conducting master classes, and organizing tours for creative groups.

The director of the National Theatre of China, Wei Shaolin, positively assessed the involvement of the parties and the initiative of partnership with the Azerbaijan theatre.

At the ceremony, Ilham Asgarov thanked the ministries of culture of both countries for their work and highlighted the growing dynamics of the development of cultural relations between China and Azerbaijan. He also highlighted the successful policy of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in promoting international partnership, including the 2025-2029 Cultural Cooperation Agreement signed in Beijing.

Armenia

Armenia will be able to import 700 tons of carbon electrodes from China on preferential terms

December 12

The Eurasian Intergovernmental Council has instructed the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission to adopt a decision on the application of an anti-dumping measure against carbon electrodes from the People’s Republic of China, setting annual import volumes within which anti-dumping duties will not be levied.

“These volumes will be 700 tons for the Republic of Armenia, 1,000 tons for the Republic of Belarus, and 1,000 tons for the Republic of Kazakhstan,” explained the Minister of Trade of the Eurasian Economic Union, Andrey Slepnev.

The import of these goods, without anti-dumping duties, within the annual volumes established for the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, will be allowed after their intended use is confirmed.

Kyrgyzstan

95 new buses from China arrived in Bishkek

December 15

95 Yutong buses were delivered to Bishkek from the People’s Republic of China and are currently deployed at Bus Station No. 1. This was reported by the press service of the city hall.

Over the past three years, 1,000 new gas-powered buses have arrived in the capital from China, replacing more than 3,000 minibuses.

China to provide 15 scholarships to Kyrgyz citizens

December 8

China will provide 15 state scholarships to Kyrgyz citizens for bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and internship programs at leading universities in the 2026/2027 academic year. This was reported by the Ministry of Science, Higher Education, and Innovation of the Kyrgyz Republic.

According to the ministry, the grants will be provided within the framework of the interdepartmental agreement on cooperation in the field of education signed in Beijing on December 16, 2015.

The funding includes tuition fees, accommodation in a hostel, a monthly scholarship allowance, and medical insurance.

China in the South Caucasus and Kyrgyzstan (8-14 December) Read More »

China supports Venezuela against US

Newswire, ერთი ახალი ამბავი / /

Earlier this week, the US imposed a full blockade on all sanctioned oil tankers in Venezuelan waters. In addition, Washington has mobilized warships and troops in the region. According to Trump, the US is trying to limit Venezuela’s main sources of income in order to stop terrorism, drug smuggling, and trafficking.

On Wednesday, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil spoke by phone with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi at his request. Beijing said it opposes “unilateral oppression” and supports the maintenance of territorial sovereignty and national dignity. Wang Yi did not mention the US or Trump in the phone call, although the minister said China opposes this violation of the UN Charter. Asked at a regular briefing on Thursday what role China would play in the ongoing conflict, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson said Beijing supports Venezuela’s request for an immediate Council meeting. Wang Yi did not comment on any future aid plans for Venezuela.

At the same time, Beijing is making great efforts to cooperate with its most important trading partner, the United States. After a long trade war, Trump and Xi Jinping reached a consensus in October to resolve the problems. Accordingly, when asked at the briefing about relations between Washington and Beijing, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson did not make a statement.

According to Tom Harper, a lecturer of international relations at the University of East London, China benefits from cooperation with Venezuela, while America’s dominance in Latin America, where China has been expanding its interests for the past 25 years, is detrimental. Caracas and Beijing have supported a multipolar international order since the rule of Hugo Chavez, which has been widely shared with Beijing’s growing political and economic power. China is one of the largest buyers of Venezuelan crude oil, accounting for 4% of China’s imports. In addition, China has opened credit lines to Venezuela under an oil-for-loans agreement. During his meeting with Xi Jinping in Moscow, Maduro called for further strengthening of trade and energy cooperation between the two countries.

Venezuela’s oil is important to China, which has recently been trying to diversify its natural resources to maintain its leadership in the production of cheap manufacturing and become independent from Middle Eastern oil. Trump’s military threat against Venezuela may be aimed at reducing China’s influence. It is also unclear whether China’s goal is to protect Latin America from the US. China’s ties to South American countries are linked to its political agenda, with China having persuaded El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, and Honduras in recent years to renounce diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. China is driven by economic interests in the region and has been reluctant to form formal alliances with them. This attitude is likely to complicate relations between China and other countries in the region in times of crisis.

Author: Mariam Sanadze

China supports Venezuela against US Read More »

Jimmy Lai faces a possible life sentence

Newswire, ერთი ახალი ამბავი / /

Jimmy Lai, a pro-democracy activist, was arrested in 2020 under a national security law imposed after the massive anti-government pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. The law introduced 39 new national security crimes in addition to the already existing national security law imposed by Beijing on Hong Kong. Beijing and Hong Kong authorities depicted the law as essential for restoring the city’s stability after the 2019 protests, but democratic organizations and politicians have deemed it a tool to restrict any form of dissent in the future.

After this law came into effect, several civil society groups ceased functioning, and dozens of political opponents either emigrated to other countries or were jailed, as in the case of Jimmy Lai. Jimmy Lai was one of the first and most prominent figures arrested under the national security law. Since 2020, he has spent more than 1,800 days in a maximum-security prison, mostly in solitary confinement. 

When he was being arrested, police officers also raided Apple Daily’s office. The following year, authorities also arrested senior executives of Apple Daily under the national security law and froze $2.3 million of its assets, which eventually led to the shutdown of the newspaper. It was founded by Jimmy Lai in 1995, after the 1989 Tiananmen Crackdown, and published critical, pro-democracy articles, becoming one of the voices at the forefront of the protests. 

In 2022, Jimmy Lai was sentenced to five years and nine months in prison on charges of fraud. And this Monday, after a prolonged trial, a Hong Kong court convicted Jimmy Lai of national security offences, and he could face life in prison for “orchestrating conspiracies to encourage foreign governments to take action against Hong Kong or China”.

In the 885-page verdict, Jimmy Lai was accused of making “constant invitations” to the U.S and other foreign powers to act against China “under the guise of fighting for freedom and democracy”. Prosecutors cited specific examples, including calls for U.S sanctions against China and a New York Times opinion piece in which Jimmy Lai advocated for revoking student visas for the children of government officials as one of the means to punish China for its repression of Hong Kong. Beijing has called Lai “an agent and pawn of anti-China foreign forces”.  Prosecutors also highlighted Lai’s foreign contacts and his meetings with former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and then-Vice President Mike Pence during the 2019 protests.

US President Donald Trump said he had asked Chinese leader Xi Jinping to consider releasing Jimmy Lai, a request that is believed to have been made during their meeting in South Korea. The U.K. also called for the immediate release of Jimmy Lie, who holds British citizenship, and called Monday’s ruling “politically motivated persecution”. Several human rights groups and organizations have deemed this verdict as vivid proof of the deterioration of press freedom in Hong Kong. This decline is also reflected in global press freedom rankings, with Hong Kong falling to 140th place worldwide, according to Reporters Without Borders.

Author: Salome Markhvashvili

Jimmy Lai faces a possible life sentence Read More »

Jamestown Publishes Tinatin Khidasheli’s Analysis of Georgian Dream’s Shift from Western Partner to Provocateur

New / /

We would like to inform you that Jamestown has published a new article by Tinatin Khidasheli, “Georgian Dream Shifting from Western Partner to Provocateur.”

The article analyzes how Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, has shifted from a pro-Western orientation to adopting a more confrontational stance toward Western partners. Khidasheli examines the government’s increasing use of anti-Western rhetoric and conspiracy-driven narratives – such as references to the “Deep State” and the “Global War Party” – to undermine trust in Western institutions, diplomats, civil society, independent media, and domestic political opponents.

The analysis highlights how this narrative reframes Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration as a security threat, while consolidating domestic political control and deflecting responsibility for democratic backsliding onto external actors. Khidasheli also discusses the broader implications of this shift for Georgia’s strategic direction, its democratic institutions, and its relations with key Western allies.

Full Article

Jamestown Publishes Tinatin Khidasheli’s Analysis of Georgian Dream’s Shift from Western Partner to Provocateur Read More »

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