Chinese Vice Premier Zhang Guoqing’s Links to Defense Industry and Iran Cooperation
A report by The Epoch Times suggests that Zhang Guoqing, China’s Vice Premier, may play a key role in China’s defense industry exports to Iran and the broader Middle East. According to sources familiar with China’s political system, Zhang is not a typical technocratic official but has deep ties to the country’s military-industrial sector. He previously held senior positions within China North Industries Group Corporation (NORINCO), a major state-owned defense conglomerate responsible for exporting weapons and related technologies. Because of this background, some observers view him as an important representative of China’s defense industry within the country’s top leadership.
The report states that Zhang has played a role in maintaining China’s military-industrial cooperation with Middle Eastern partners, particularly Iran. Following rising tensions involving Iran, Zhang was reportedly tasked by Xi Jinping with coordinating relevant supply chains and maintaining technical and industrial links with regional partners. According to individuals familiar with the defense sector, Iran has requested Chinese components related to drones, unmanned vessels, and smart naval mines that could potentially be assembled domestically.
The report also suggests that cooperation between China and Iran extends beyond weapons-related components to include communications infrastructure and surveillance technologies. Technology firms from several Chinese provinces have reportedly participated in the development of Iran’s telecommunications networks and monitoring systems. This combination of military technology, infrastructure development, and security systems has strengthened strategic ties between China and Iran while expanding Beijing’s influence in the region.
Source: Epoch Times, March 12, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/b5/26/3/12/n14717195.htm
CNA: After Banning Rednote, Taiwan Saw Average Fraudulent Cases Decreased by 73 Percent
Primary Taiwanese news agency Central News Agency (CNA) recently reported that, in December of last year, the Taiwanese Ministry of the Interior announced that the Chinese social media platform Rednote (a.k.a. Xiaohongshu) failed the information security screening and was involved in 1,706 fraud cases in the past two years. The Ministry later issued an order to suspend internet access to the platform in accordance with Article 42 of the Fraud Crime Prevention Act, which stipulates “emergency events for fraud crime prevention”. The order is temporarily set for one year.
According to latest statistics from the Taiwanese Executive Yuan’s Anti-Fraud Command Center, after the implementation of the Rednote suspension, the average monthly number of fraud cases decreased by 73 percent, and financial losses decreased by 51 percent. The Command Center said that, based on its assessment, the fraud risks arising from Rednote will become a source of rapidly increasing fraud cases in the future if left unchecked, and these cases will be completely unprosecuted due to legal barriers between Taiwan and mainland China.
In order to lift the ban, the Taiwanese government requires technical and management improvements, including passing 15 national security and cybersecurity examinations. However, Rednote failed to respond to the official notice within the specified period.
Source: CNA, March 8, 2026
https://www.cna.com.tw/news/aipl/202603080102.aspx
LTN: Taiwan’s Drone Exports have Seen An Astonishing Surge
Major Taiwanese news network Liberty Times Network (LTN) recently reported that, Taiwan is not known for its arms exports, but it is rapidly emerging as a supplier of drones without Chinese parts. Taiwanese companies are accelerating the development of “non-red supply chain” drones, with exports growing more than 35 times in 2025, reaching approximately 123,000 units.
Taiwan has long been one of the world’s largest arms importers, with most of its weapons originating from the United States. However, while Taiwan is now capable of manufacturing a significant number of its own weapons, it remains highly dependent on US-made equipment.
However, the situation is changing. Taiwan is positioning itself as a supplier of “non-red supply chain” drones – drones without Chinese parts. These drones are targeted to sell in the United States, its allies, and other countries concerned about Chinese espionage and supply chain control. Taiwan’s drone production has increased more than twelvefold from approximately 10,000 units in 2024 to 2025. The Czech Republic is the largest buyer, followed by Poland. Most of these purchases ended up in Ukraine for use in the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, providing valuable combat feedback on the drones’ performance. Exports are projected to reach a new high in 2026, with 85,500 units already exported in the first two months of this year.
Taiwan initiated this plan after observing the widespread use of drones in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The initial goal was to equip the Taiwanese military with such drones. Subsequently, Taiwan pledged to establish a drone industry completely free of Chinese parts by the end of 2026 and to reach an annual production capacity of 180,000 drones by 2028. The government also pledged last year to procure more than 200,000 drones for the military by 2033.
The United States and its allies are also accelerating the expansion of drone production. However, most of the drones still rely on Chinese parts. Currently China accounts for 70 percent to 80 percent of global drone production.
Source: LTN, March 14, 2026
https://ec.ltn.com.tw/article/breakingnews/5369841
Chinese Scholar: Iran War Complicates Trump’s Planned China Visit, Giving Beijing More Leverage
Wang Yiwei, a professor of international relations at Renmin University of China, said in an interview with Hong Kong’s pro-Beijing newspaper Ming Pao that the Iran War has complicated U.S. President Donald Trump’s planned visit to China. According to Wang, the situation may leave Trump in a more difficult diplomatic position while increasing Beijing’s bargaining leverage ahead of the visit.
Wang argued that the U.S. military campaign against Iran could become prolonged and may last until September. Without deploying ground forces, he said, Washington would likely find it difficult to completely eliminate Iran’s nuclear capabilities because many of the facilities have already been moved underground. Wang also defended China’s approach to the crisis, saying Beijing has taken a relatively cautious stance in criticizing the United States while avoiding the harder line adopted by Russia. He added that China remains uncertain about Iran’s political stability and its long-term attitude toward Beijing. At the same time, Iran’s retaliatory strikes on bases in several Arab countries highlight China’s regional interests, as Beijing has significant investments in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates and is preparing to host a China–Arab States summit.
On Taiwan, Wang said Trump’s main concern is ensuring that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) does not fall under mainland Chinese control. Beijing, however, hopes the United States will publicly oppose Taiwan independence and delay the delivery of arms sales to Taiwan. Wang suggested that while Washington cannot openly reverse its policy, it could slow implementation through practical measures such as postponing deliveries or citing technical issues. He also said China would prefer that Trump restrain Japan’s leadership from supporting Taiwan independence.
Wang added that Trump had initially planned to visit China from a position of strength, but the prolonged Iran conflict has complicated that strategy and increased China’s leverage. He noted that Trump also faces domestic political pressure ahead of the U.S. midterm elections, which may make cooperation with China more important. In this context, Wang said Beijing could remain flexible while seeking concessions, as long as the United States is able to claim a political victory domestically.
Source: Ming Pao, March 14, 2026
https://news.mingpao.com/pns/中國/article/20260314/s00013/1773421783362/王義桅-伊朗戰火增華籌碼-「中美共治」是「毒誘」
After Six Years, China Resumes Flights and Passenger Trains between Beijing and Pyongyang
Singapore’s primary Chinese language newspaper Lianhe Zaobao recently reported that, according to South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chinese aviation industry sources, Air China’s direct flight between Beijing and Pyongyang (CA121) will resume operation on March 30.
Tickets can now be booked on Air China’s official website and travel platforms such as Ctrip. Air China’s Beijing-Pyongyang route was suspended in January 2020 due to COVID-19 prevention and control measures. Air Koryo of North Korea resumed the Pyongyang-Beijing route in August 2023, operating two flights per week.
In the meantime, China State Railway Group officially announced that international passenger trains will operate in both directions between Beijing/Dandong and Pyongyang, North Korea, four times a week, starting March 12. This marks the resumption of cross-border railway passenger transport between China and North Korea after a six-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, currently Chinese tourists are unable to purchase tickets to Pyongyang as North Korean tourist visas are not yet available.
Source: Lianhe Zaobao, March 14, 2026
https://www.zaobao.com.sg/news/china/story20260314-8732076
China Passes Ethnic Unity Law, Raising Minority Rights Concerns
On March 12, China’s National People’s Congress passed the Law on Promoting Ethnic Unity and Progress. The legislation calls for greater integration among ethnic groups through policies related to education, housing, population mobility, community life, culture, tourism, and economic development. The law states that its goal is to strengthen national unity under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and foster a shared national identity among China’s 55 officially recognized ethnic minorities, as part of efforts to achieve the “great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.” Critics argue that the measure could further erode the identities of non-Han ethnic groups and potentially allow authorities to label those who question such “unity” as separatists subject to legal punishment.
The law stipulates that Mandarin will be the primary language used in schools as well as in government and official affairs. In public settings where Mandarin and minority languages are used together, the law requires that the national common language be given prominence in terms of placement and order. In practice, the legislation establishes at the national level that minority languages cannot serve as the primary language of instruction. In regions such as Tibet, Xinjiang, and Inner Mongolia, authorities have already significantly reduced opportunities for students to receive education in their native languages, despite strong opposition and protests from students, teachers, and parents.
The law also prohibits interference with freedom of marriage on the grounds of ethnic identity, customs, or religious beliefs, with the stated aim of encouraging interethnic marriage. It further calls for the development of “inter-embedded community environments.” Some scholars warn that this policy could lead to the dispersal of ethnic minority communities, as it appears designed to encourage Han Chinese and other ethnic groups to move into each other’s neighborhoods.
The legislation also requires religious organizations, religious schools, and places of worship to “adhere to the direction of the Sinicization of religion.” Ethnic affairs are incorporated into China’s broader social governance framework, with provisions covering anti-separatism measures, border security, risk prevention, and social stability. The law also states that foreign organizations and individuals who engage in activities that undermine ethnic unity or incite ethnic division may face legal consequences.
Source: Deutsche Welle, March 12, 2026
https://www.dw.com/zh/中国人大通过民族团结进步促进法-引发少数民族人权担忧/a-76331516
Japan Warns Firms Over Huawei 5G Risk in Ukraine Reconstruction
The Japanese government has issued a warning to Japanese companies interested in supporting Ukraine’s postwar reconstruction, cautioning them about the security risks associated with using 5G telecommunications infrastructure built on technology from Chinese tech giant Huawei. The warning reflects growing concern in Tokyo over the potential for technical and sensitive information leakage through Huawei-equipped networks.
The alert comes after a major Ukrainian mobile operator conducted 5G pilot tests with Huawei in several cities last year. The Ukrainian government subsequently allocated 5G frequency bands to that operator. Japan’s Rakuten Group had also applied to participate in Ukraine’s 5G market but was not selected as a candidate.
According to Japanese government documents obtained by Kyodo News, officials flagged serious concerns about the spread of Huawei 5G infrastructure in major cities including the capital Kyiv. The documents specifically warned that investment in critical infrastructure — including the energy sector — carried significant risks for Japan, the United States, and European nations. Officials also expressed concern that Chinese-made equipment could enter the Ukrainian market indirectly, through Turkish intermediary companies, even without direct involvement from Chinese firms.
Huawei has long been identified as a security vulnerability by U.S. authorities and remains subject to American sanctions. Japan’s decision to issue this kind of economic security warning to private firms is considered an unusual step, underscoring how seriously the government views the risk of Huawei technology proliferating in strategically important regions. The move signals that Tokyo is prepared to take a more active role in guiding Japanese corporate behavior abroad when national and allied security interests are at stake.
Source: Kyodo News, March 12, 2026
https://china.kyodonews.net/articles/-/7862
Honduras Signals Possible Reconsideration of Diplomatic Ties with Taiwan
The government of Honduras has indicated it may gradually reconsider its diplomatic alignment with Taiwan following a change in national leadership. Vice President María Antonieta Mejía stated that the administration is reviewing agreements signed with China under the previous government to assess their economic and political impact. The findings are expected to inform decisions by President Nasry Asfura, who took office in January 2026 and had previously expressed openness to restoring ties with Taiwan.
Honduras severed diplomatic relations with Taiwan in 2023 under former president Xiomara Castro and established formal ties with China. At the time, the shift was presented as a strategic move to secure greater trade, investment, and development opportunities. However, domestic critics argue that the anticipated economic benefits from cooperation with Beijing have not materialized as expected, prompting renewed debate within Honduras about the country’s diplomatic direction.
Officials have emphasized that any potential change in diplomatic relations would proceed gradually and only after a thorough policy review. Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has responded cautiously, stating that it remains open to strengthening ties with Honduras on the basis of mutual benefit and pragmatic cooperation. The situation underscores the broader geopolitical competition between China and Taiwan for diplomatic recognition, particularly in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Source: Epoch Times, February 11, 2026
https://www.epochtimes.com/gb/26/2/11/n14695888.htm