If the People’s Republic of China is engaging in espionage against our defense establishments, it is reasonable to assume they could extend similar influence operations to our civilian agencies. Therefore, we must take an extra careful look at sister city partnerships, Confucius Institutes, media delegations invited to China, and even academic exchanges.
The United Front Work may well be operating in full swing within our country, advancing these covert agendas. It serves as a key mechanism for extending Beijing’s influence abroad, coordinating efforts to co-opt elites, diaspora communities, and various sectors to align with China’s strategic interests.
I would argue that the People’s Republic of China’s “people-to-people engagement” serves as one of the most effective entry points for initiating United Front Work operations. This approach provides an opening to cultivate relationships with politicians, establish contacts among the elite, entice bureaucrats, and—once personal bonds are solidified—unhesitatingly deploy financial incentives to secure their support in advancing PRC interests. In my view, this strategy has proven particularly successful with certain Philippine politicians, Pro China academics, media personalities and social media influencers.
