House panel releases memo on China’s influence strategy in the US
House Members Expose Chinese Communist Party’s “Influence” Strategy in the United States
Members of the House have released a report that sheds light on the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) “united front work” strategy, which has infiltrated the United States.
The CCP’s united front work, led by the Central United Front Work Department, is a powerful combination of engagement, influence activities, and intelligence operations, as explained in a six-page memo by the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party.
This strategy is used by the CCP to shape the political environment, influence other countries’ policies towards China, and gain access to advanced foreign technology. The memo reveals that this is achieved through an extensive network of organizations that operate alongside China’s foreign ministry and intelligence services, targeting universities, think tanks, civic groups, influential individuals, and public opinion.
Examples of united front work-linked activities include a front group that fuels protests against Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen in the United States and secret Chinese police stations in cities like New York, which are used to target CCP opponents. The memo also highlights ethnic minorities and individuals with roots in Taiwan as targets of this strategy.
“United front work damages U.S. interests through legal and illegal technology transfer, surveillance of Chinese diaspora communities, promotion of favorable narratives about the PRC through ostensibly independent voices, and the neutralization or harassment of critics of the CCP,” states the memo, emphasizing the importance of countering this strategy.
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Similar influence operations have been reported in other countries. In Australia, a think tank warned about the expansion of united front work in 2020, prompting China’s foreign ministry to dismiss the report as “fallacious.” They claimed that China’s foreign relations are based on mutual respect and non-interference.
The release of the House panel memo coincided with President Joe Biden’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, where both sides agreed to resume military talks amidst escalating tensions over Taiwan and other issues.
“Through its united front work strategy, which Xi Jinping has called a ‘magic weapon,’ the Chinese Communist Party uses every tool at its disposal, whether legal or illicit, to influence the American people and interfere in democratic societies. Our bipartisan memo on united front work will help the American people recognize and resist the CCP’s malign influence,” stated Select Committee Chairman Mike Gallagher (R-WI).
Ranking member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) added, “An important, but little understood, aspect of the Chinese Communist Party’s misinformation, propaganda, and influence efforts both in the PRC and abroad is the CCP’s united front system. This background memo provides information about united front activities and can be a potentially helpful guide in addressing and countering them.”
How does the report describe the CCP’s efforts to expand its influence within U.S. borders?
“It represents a sophisticated, long-term effort by the CCP to expand the reach of its influence within U.S. borders,” says the report.
In recent years, concerns about the CCP’s influence in the United States have grown. This report confirms those fears, providing concrete evidence of the extent of the CCP’s united front work and the potential threats it poses to American interests and national security.
One of the most concerning aspects of this strategy is the targeting of universities and think tanks. The memo highlights how the CCP uses academic exchanges, partnerships, and funding to exert influence over research agendas and limit discussions on sensitive topics such as human rights abuses in China. This raises significant concerns about academic freedom and the integrity of research conducted in these institutions.
The CCP’s united front work is not limited to academic institutions. The memo also reveals how the CCP uses its extensive network of organizations to shape public opinion in the United States. By promoting favorable narratives about China through ostensibly independent voices, the CCP aims to sway public perception and garner support for its political agenda. This has the potential to undermine the democratic principles and values that the United States upholds.
Furthermore, the report highlights the surveillance of Chinese diaspora communities and the harassment of critics of the CCP. This raises serious concerns about the violation of privacy rights and the suppression of dissenting voices within Chinese communities in the United States.
The findings of this report call for a comprehensive response from the United States government and its allies. Measures must be taken to counter the CCP’s united front work and protect American interests. This includes strengthening regulations and oversight on academic collaborations with China, increasing transparency in think tanks, and protecting the rights and safety of Chinese diaspora communities.
Moreover, it is crucial that the American public and policymakers remain educated and vigilant about the CCP’s influence activities. Understanding the strategies employed by the CCP and their implications is essential in order to safeguard American democracy and national security.
The release of this report is a significant step towards exposing and addressing the CCP’s united front work in the United States. It serves as a wake-up call to the challenges posed by the CCP’s influence operations and highlights the importance of countering these efforts to protect American interests and values.
Ultimately, the United States must be proactive in countering the CCP’s influence strategy and assert its commitment to defending democracy, human rights, and the integrity of its institutions. By doing so, the United States can address the threats posed by the CCP’s united front work and safeguard its position as a global leader.
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