Although less obvious than its economic and military apparatus, China’s covert influence machine is formidable, extensive in its global scale and ambition to exert influence over Western business officials.
Christine Fang, also known as Fang Fang, is just the tip of the iceberg.
Operating at the behest of Beijing’s civilian intelligence service behemoth, the Ministry of State Security, Fang Fang entered the United States as a college student and then began a highly successful effort to woo various Democratic Party politicians. Her methods included seduction. Her targets included congressman Eric Swalwell, a member of the House Intelligence Committee, and Fang apparently managed to get an intern into Swalwell’s office. Had the scheme escaped detection, the intern could have eventually obtained access to sensitive congressional computer networks.
Regardless, Fang’s intent seems to have been twofold. First, to build a network of relationships that would afford Chinese Communist officials points of contact and influence over the longer term. Second, to lay the foundations for the compromise or blackmail of U.S. officials should that become desirable to Beijing’s interests.
Again, however, this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Faraway New Zealand offers a more extraordinary example of how successful China’s covert influence campaigns can be. Providing extensive trade links and co-opting sympathetic elements within New Zealand’s ethnic Chinese community, Beijing has greatly diluted New Zealand’s commitment to its traditional Western allies. While still a nominal member of the “Five Eyes” security and intelligence partnership, New Zealand is now widely regarded by the other four members as the weak link. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern now refuses to support Western action on matters such as Chinese human rights abuses.
And the best example of China’s covert influence is the ability of its agents to take seats in the actual New Zealand Parliament. Both Raymond Huo and Jian Yang were, until very recently, members of the parliament with all the responsibilities and rights thus afforded. Both men were also Chinese Communist agents. And in response to New Zealand’s efforts to protect its sovereignty better, China leverages trade pressure and hurls baseless accusations of racism at its critics.
Another example comes from Britain, where Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sought to maintain a fine balance between economic interests and human rights and security concerns over China. China has responded with large expenditures in support of its corporate-espionage apparatus, the technology firm Huawei. It has also deployed a significant number of intelligence officers and agents to the United Kingdom. One of them, Christine Ching Kui Lee, cultivated politicians, including left-wing MP Barry Gardner, to whom she directed nearly $570,000 in campaign donations.
Ultimately, these are only a few of the examples of China’s covert influence efforts. Many others almost certainly remain undetected. But the lesson is clear: As it seeks the mantle of global leadership, China is committed to working in the shadows and playing the long game.
