In recent years, Americans have become increasingly conscious of the extent to which foreign governments cultivate influence inside the United States. Public debate has focused heavily on Qatar’s funding of elite universities and even the burgeoning influence of the South Korean lobby. China, despite being recognized as America’s primary geopolitical rival, has often been discussed in narrower terms: trade wars, Taiwan, semiconductors, military expansion, and industrial espionage. Far less attention has been paid to the depth of China’s institutional presence inside the United States and other Western democracies. China’s approach differs because the Chinese Communist Party does not view economics, agriculture, education, media, culture, and politics as separate spheres. Each is treated as part of national power.
The Quiet Architecture of Chinese Influence
Beijing built long-term leverage inside Western democracies through agriculture, education, business, and local political networks
