https://www.wilsoncenter.org/sites/default/files/media/documents/article/magic_weapons.pdf

In September 2014 Xi Jinping gave a speech on the importance of united front work—

political influence activities—calling it one of the CCP’s “magic weapons”. The Chinese

government’s foreign influence activities have accelerated under Xi. China’s foreign

influence activities have the potential to undermine the sovereignty and integrity of the

political system of targeted states.

Key points:

• CCP General Secretary Xi Jinping is leading an accelerated expansion of

political influence activities worldwide.

• The expansion of these activities is connected to both the CCP government’s

domestic pressures and foreign agenda.

• The paper creates a template of the policies and modes of China’s expanded

foreign influence activities in the Xi era.

• The paper uses this template to examine the extent to which one

representative small state, New Zealand, is being targeted by China’s new

influence agenda.

https://www.rfa.org/english/news/china/friendship-influence-08062020085635.html

The ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is "co-opting" foreign nationals via friendship associations to expand its overseas influence in Europe, amid growing concerns over Beijing's intensive lobbying and propaganda campaigns far beyond its borders, according to a recent report.

An Aug. 4 report published by the Washington-based think-tank, the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments (CSBA), said Beijing uses foreign nationals in a number of ways to promote its views in the corridors of power overseas.

"This study finds that the coopted foreigners, who enjoy influence, convening power, and connections, serve the CCP’s aims in several ways, subtle and otherwise," the report said.

Such people "parrot the party’s talking points, deflect narratives harmful to Beijing’s image, host public events that showcase the party’s virtues, promote trade and investment, encourage technology transfers, and voice support for changes in European policies favorable to China," it said, citing case studies of the EU-China Friendship Group, the ItalyChina Friendship Association, and the Czech-China Chamber of Collaboration.

While the organizations concerned have no obvious formal connection to the Chinese government, they are a part of the "united front" system through which the CCP maintains its grip on power at home and seeks to further its agenda abroad, the report said.

https://www.cgccusa.org/en/us-china-governors-collab-summit/

While governors from the US and China meet to collaborate on strategic topics at a sub-national level during the 2019 National Governors Association/CPAFFC US-China Governors’ Forum, Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin is creating a prestigious and highly curated event where investors from both countries can meet one-on-one and discuss possible investment projects.

https://www.cgccusa.org/en/about-cgcc/

https://www.cgccusa.org/en/about-us/

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