Sze-Fung Lee 李紫楓
@imleeszefung.bsky.social
Independent analyst specializing in Chinese hybrid warfare as an integrated cross-domain system, with a focus on FIMI, gray-zone operations, and cognitive warfare.
🚏 Views expressed are my own.
linktr.ee/szefung_lee
🚏 Views expressed are my own.
linktr.ee/szefung_lee
8/ Also worked on PRC on Chinese consulates’ Gray Zone pop-up events in #Japan (previously published w/@japantimes.co.jp
bsky.app/profile/imle...
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My latest @japantimes.co.jp on Chinese consulates’ #GrayZone operations in Japan (and yes, Xue Jian is involved🙃)
📍60 gray zone pop-up events across 25 prefectures + 21 cities in Japan (2017-2025)
📍PRC Embassy in Japan + 5 PRC #Consulates involved
⚡️x 5
www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...
📍60 gray zone pop-up events across 25 prefectures + 21 cities in Japan (2017-2025)
📍PRC Embassy in Japan + 5 PRC #Consulates involved
⚡️x 5
www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...
December 3, 2025 at 7:05 PM
8/ Also worked on PRC on Chinese consulates’ Gray Zone pop-up events in #Japan (previously published w/@japantimes.co.jp
bsky.app/profile/imle...
bsky.app/profile/imle...
7/ This is a follow-up research on PRC consulate gray zone pop-up events in #UnitedStates (previously published w/ @thejamestownfdn.bsky.social
For more details, see
bsky.app/profile/imle...
For more details, see
bsky.app/profile/imle...
【FULL REPORT】PRC Consulates Gray Zone ‘Pop-up’ Events in New York & Beyond on Jamestown China Brief
📍90+ pop-ups in 15 cities across 7 states at non-designated diplomatic facilities eg. restaurants
📍Tactics/ Agendas/ Implications
Key findings—Threads Below⚡️
jamestown.org/program/dipl...
📍90+ pop-ups in 15 cities across 7 states at non-designated diplomatic facilities eg. restaurants
📍Tactics/ Agendas/ Implications
Key findings—Threads Below⚡️
jamestown.org/program/dipl...
December 3, 2025 at 7:05 PM
7/ This is a follow-up research on PRC consulate gray zone pop-up events in #UnitedStates (previously published w/ @thejamestownfdn.bsky.social
For more details, see
bsky.app/profile/imle...
For more details, see
bsky.app/profile/imle...
6/ The specific objectives for gray zone consular activities remain unclear. Yet by expanding capabilities to influence provincial capitals, #Beijing could target a wide range of political/ strategic sectors, incl. #Canada’s critical minerals, which exist in every province
December 3, 2025 at 7:02 PM
5/ Why this strategy
📍PRC #IOs faced significant pushback at the national level in Canada
📍Focus on provincial capitals > exploit gaps & advance its united front work in relatively untapped areas
📍Cities like Toronto already have a well-developed #UnitedFront network
📍PRC #IOs faced significant pushback at the national level in Canada
📍Focus on provincial capitals > exploit gaps & advance its united front work in relatively untapped areas
📍Cities like Toronto already have a well-developed #UnitedFront network
December 3, 2025 at 7:02 PM
5/ Why this strategy
📍PRC #IOs faced significant pushback at the national level in Canada
📍Focus on provincial capitals > exploit gaps & advance its united front work in relatively untapped areas
📍Cities like Toronto already have a well-developed #UnitedFront network
📍PRC #IOs faced significant pushback at the national level in Canada
📍Focus on provincial capitals > exploit gaps & advance its united front work in relatively untapped areas
📍Cities like Toronto already have a well-developed #UnitedFront network
4/ Sub-National #UnitedFront Work
📍Maximize influence on provincial policymaking
📍Gain leverage to push back against unfavorable federal policies at the provincial level
📍Shape policy at the national level
= Leverage local power to encircle the central authority
📍Maximize influence on provincial policymaking
📍Gain leverage to push back against unfavorable federal policies at the provincial level
📍Shape policy at the national level
= Leverage local power to encircle the central authority
December 3, 2025 at 7:02 PM
4/ Sub-National #UnitedFront Work
📍Maximize influence on provincial policymaking
📍Gain leverage to push back against unfavorable federal policies at the provincial level
📍Shape policy at the national level
= Leverage local power to encircle the central authority
📍Maximize influence on provincial policymaking
📍Gain leverage to push back against unfavorable federal policies at the provincial level
📍Shape policy at the national level
= Leverage local power to encircle the central authority
3/ CAN vs #US operations
📍 Large-scale & balanced distribution of events in Canada >> a more coordinated and centralized country-wide strategy
📍Events > held in more controlled settings
📍Target provincial capitals & smaller regional centers vs US in major metropolitan areas
📍 Large-scale & balanced distribution of events in Canada >> a more coordinated and centralized country-wide strategy
📍Events > held in more controlled settings
📍Target provincial capitals & smaller regional centers vs US in major metropolitan areas
December 3, 2025 at 7:02 PM
3/ CAN vs #US operations
📍 Large-scale & balanced distribution of events in Canada >> a more coordinated and centralized country-wide strategy
📍Events > held in more controlled settings
📍Target provincial capitals & smaller regional centers vs US in major metropolitan areas
📍 Large-scale & balanced distribution of events in Canada >> a more coordinated and centralized country-wide strategy
📍Events > held in more controlled settings
📍Target provincial capitals & smaller regional centers vs US in major metropolitan areas
2/ Situation in #Canada
📍105 gray zone activities in 22 cities across 11 provinces
📍All PRC #Consulates & the PRC #Embassy in Canada are involved
📍Venues: hotel conference rooms/ Chinese cultural centers/ university classrooms/ clubhouses
📍Targeted 10 provincial capitals
📍105 gray zone activities in 22 cities across 11 provinces
📍All PRC #Consulates & the PRC #Embassy in Canada are involved
📍Venues: hotel conference rooms/ Chinese cultural centers/ university classrooms/ clubhouses
📍Targeted 10 provincial capitals
December 3, 2025 at 7:02 PM
2/ Situation in #Canada
📍105 gray zone activities in 22 cities across 11 provinces
📍All PRC #Consulates & the PRC #Embassy in Canada are involved
📍Venues: hotel conference rooms/ Chinese cultural centers/ university classrooms/ clubhouses
📍Targeted 10 provincial capitals
📍105 gray zone activities in 22 cities across 11 provinces
📍All PRC #Consulates & the PRC #Embassy in Canada are involved
📍Venues: hotel conference rooms/ Chinese cultural centers/ university classrooms/ clubhouses
📍Targeted 10 provincial capitals
1/ Why it matters ⚠️
📍Serve as a mechanism for political activities & #InfluenceOperations
📍Advance local united front network
📍Unclear legality
📍Create "new norms" that challenge the diplomatic #norms & international #RulesBasedOrder
📍Serve as a mechanism for political activities & #InfluenceOperations
📍Advance local united front network
📍Unclear legality
📍Create "new norms" that challenge the diplomatic #norms & international #RulesBasedOrder
December 3, 2025 at 7:02 PM
1/ Why it matters ⚠️
📍Serve as a mechanism for political activities & #InfluenceOperations
📍Advance local united front network
📍Unclear legality
📍Create "new norms" that challenge the diplomatic #norms & international #RulesBasedOrder
📍Serve as a mechanism for political activities & #InfluenceOperations
📍Advance local united front network
📍Unclear legality
📍Create "new norms" that challenge the diplomatic #norms & international #RulesBasedOrder
5/ HK govt says it is discussing replacing bamboo scaffolding—a move that could benefit China’s manufacturing industry. The conversation is spinning out of focus, framing bamboo as the “cause” of the #HongKongFire when #corruption and the regulatory system should be the focus.
November 27, 2025 at 7:06 PM
5/ HK govt says it is discussing replacing bamboo scaffolding—a move that could benefit China’s manufacturing industry. The conversation is spinning out of focus, framing bamboo as the “cause” of the #HongKongFire when #corruption and the regulatory system should be the focus.
4/ PRC media took the opportunity to further amplify the narrative that bamboo scaffolding is unsafe (vs China had been using metal ones instead)
November 27, 2025 at 7:06 PM
4/ PRC media took the opportunity to further amplify the narrative that bamboo scaffolding is unsafe (vs China had been using metal ones instead)
3/ On Nov 27, 07:19 An acc Niutanqin 牛彈琴 – owned by Liu Hong, a CCP member & the current Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua News Agency – published an article on WeChat and ifeng, claiming that the bamboo scaffolding + careless workers + substandard nets made the fire inevitable
November 27, 2025 at 7:06 PM
3/ On Nov 27, 07:19 An acc Niutanqin 牛彈琴 – owned by Liu Hong, a CCP member & the current Deputy Editor-in-Chief of Xinhua News Agency – published an article on WeChat and ifeng, claiming that the bamboo scaffolding + careless workers + substandard nets made the fire inevitable
2/ Nov 27, 03:12 HKT @guardiannews published an article titled "Bamboo scaffolding may be to blame for spread of Hong Kong tower block fire". Other UK media outlets appear to be publishing similar content.
November 27, 2025 at 7:06 PM
2/ Nov 27, 03:12 HKT @guardiannews published an article titled "Bamboo scaffolding may be to blame for spread of Hong Kong tower block fire". Other UK media outlets appear to be publishing similar content.
1/ On Nov 26, 21:37, the official Douyin account of Phoenix Real Estate (凤凰网房产) posted a video linking the #HongKongFire to bamboo scaffolding, claiming China now uses metal instead and implying bamboo caused the fire
November 27, 2025 at 7:06 PM
1/ On Nov 26, 21:37, the official Douyin account of Phoenix Real Estate (凤凰网房产) posted a video linking the #HongKongFire to bamboo scaffolding, claiming China now uses metal instead and implying bamboo caused the fire
5/ For more details, check out
www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...
*More data may be shared upon request
www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...
*More data may be shared upon request
Beware China’s ‘gray-zone’ activities on Japanese soil
China’s wolf-warrior diplomacy and belligerent social media posts are not the only unsettling activity carried out by Chinese diplomats in Japan.
www.japantimes.co.jp
November 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
5/ For more details, check out
www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...
*More data may be shared upon request
www.japantimes.co.jp/commentary/2...
*More data may be shared upon request
4/ And of course, #XueJian is involved
Xue Jian + Osaka Consulate keep showing up in gray-zone pop-up events
FYI. These events likely violate international law, strengthen PRC’s #UnitedFront network in Japan, and bolster its political mobilization capabilities for future operations
Xue Jian + Osaka Consulate keep showing up in gray-zone pop-up events
FYI. These events likely violate international law, strengthen PRC’s #UnitedFront network in Japan, and bolster its political mobilization capabilities for future operations
November 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
4/ And of course, #XueJian is involved
Xue Jian + Osaka Consulate keep showing up in gray-zone pop-up events
FYI. These events likely violate international law, strengthen PRC’s #UnitedFront network in Japan, and bolster its political mobilization capabilities for future operations
Xue Jian + Osaka Consulate keep showing up in gray-zone pop-up events
FYI. These events likely violate international law, strengthen PRC’s #UnitedFront network in Japan, and bolster its political mobilization capabilities for future operations
3/ #Okinawa – highest number of pop-ups
Given its strategic significance in the first-island chain, Beijing could mobilize #unitedfront network to amplify its narratives "undetermined status of Ryuku"/ instill anti-American sentiment/ incite #independence movement on the island
Given its strategic significance in the first-island chain, Beijing could mobilize #unitedfront network to amplify its narratives "undetermined status of Ryuku"/ instill anti-American sentiment/ incite #independence movement on the island
November 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
3/ #Okinawa – highest number of pop-ups
Given its strategic significance in the first-island chain, Beijing could mobilize #unitedfront network to amplify its narratives "undetermined status of Ryuku"/ instill anti-American sentiment/ incite #independence movement on the island
Given its strategic significance in the first-island chain, Beijing could mobilize #unitedfront network to amplify its narratives "undetermined status of Ryuku"/ instill anti-American sentiment/ incite #independence movement on the island
1/ Follow-up research on PRC consulate gray zone #Pop-up events > consulates providing consular services such as passport renewal in the form of 'pop-up' events at non-designated diplomatic facilities e.g. clubhouses (previously published w/ @thejamestownfdn.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/imle...
bsky.app/profile/imle...
【FULL REPORT】PRC Consulates Gray Zone ‘Pop-up’ Events in New York & Beyond on Jamestown China Brief
📍90+ pop-ups in 15 cities across 7 states at non-designated diplomatic facilities eg. restaurants
📍Tactics/ Agendas/ Implications
Key findings—Threads Below⚡️
jamestown.org/program/dipl...
📍90+ pop-ups in 15 cities across 7 states at non-designated diplomatic facilities eg. restaurants
📍Tactics/ Agendas/ Implications
Key findings—Threads Below⚡️
jamestown.org/program/dipl...
November 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
1/ Follow-up research on PRC consulate gray zone #Pop-up events > consulates providing consular services such as passport renewal in the form of 'pop-up' events at non-designated diplomatic facilities e.g. clubhouses (previously published w/ @thejamestownfdn.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/imle...
bsky.app/profile/imle...
3/ #Okinawa – highest number of pop-ups
Given its strategic significance in the first-island chain, Beijing could mobilize #unitedfront network to amplify its narratives of "undetermined status of Ryuku", instill anti-American sentiment/ incite an #independence movement on the island
Given its strategic significance in the first-island chain, Beijing could mobilize #unitedfront network to amplify its narratives of "undetermined status of Ryuku", instill anti-American sentiment/ incite an #independence movement on the island
November 20, 2025 at 3:16 PM
3/ #Okinawa – highest number of pop-ups
Given its strategic significance in the first-island chain, Beijing could mobilize #unitedfront network to amplify its narratives of "undetermined status of Ryuku", instill anti-American sentiment/ incite an #independence movement on the island
Given its strategic significance in the first-island chain, Beijing could mobilize #unitedfront network to amplify its narratives of "undetermined status of Ryuku", instill anti-American sentiment/ incite an #independence movement on the island
1/ Follow-up research on PRC consulate gray zone pop-up events > consulates providing consular services such as passport renewal in the form of 'pop-up' events at non-designated diplomatic facilities e.g. clubhouses (previously published w/ @thejamestownfdn.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/imle...
bsky.app/profile/imle...
【FULL REPORT】PRC Consulates Gray Zone ‘Pop-up’ Events in New York & Beyond on Jamestown China Brief
📍90+ pop-ups in 15 cities across 7 states at non-designated diplomatic facilities eg. restaurants
📍Tactics/ Agendas/ Implications
Key findings—Threads Below⚡️
jamestown.org/program/dipl...
📍90+ pop-ups in 15 cities across 7 states at non-designated diplomatic facilities eg. restaurants
📍Tactics/ Agendas/ Implications
Key findings—Threads Below⚡️
jamestown.org/program/dipl...
November 20, 2025 at 3:16 PM
1/ Follow-up research on PRC consulate gray zone pop-up events > consulates providing consular services such as passport renewal in the form of 'pop-up' events at non-designated diplomatic facilities e.g. clubhouses (previously published w/ @thejamestownfdn.bsky.social
bsky.app/profile/imle...
bsky.app/profile/imle...
7/ I first built this framework w/ @marcuskolga.bsky.social, with what I had in mind being to actually protect the people being targeted. Not sure how far we can go, but I sincerely hope like-minded countries could adopt this framework to bolster #resilience and foster effective #countermeasures
October 30, 2025 at 3:30 PM
7/ I first built this framework w/ @marcuskolga.bsky.social, with what I had in mind being to actually protect the people being targeted. Not sure how far we can go, but I sincerely hope like-minded countries could adopt this framework to bolster #resilience and foster effective #countermeasures