A US counterintelligence agency warned state and local officials on Wednesday that China is stepping up its influence operations aimed at manipulating them into pressuring the federal government to implement more pro-Beijing policies.
China “understands that state and local leaders in the US enjoy a degree of independence from Washington and may want to use them as go-betweens to support US national policies that Beijing desires,” it said in a news release. sent to state and local officials the US National Counterintelligence and Security Center.
The warning comes at a time of sharp confrontation between Washington and Beijing on a range of issues. Controversies range from US arms sales to Taiwan to Beijing’s respect for human rights, but also China’s aviation activities in the South China Sea, as well as Beijing’s espionage operations against the US.
The Chinese embassy did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The administration of US President Joe Biden considers China a strategic competitor. However, it says it is determined to avoid an escalation of the conflict, seeking Beijing’s compliance with international rules and its participation in peace and security institutions.
The new intelligence briefing said Beijing is using a range of means to manipulate state and local officials to pressure Washington for more China-friendly policies.
Beijing’s approaches include organizations such as the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, which fosters “fraternal” relations between Beijing and local communities in the US.
Another association, the National Association for the Peaceful Reunification of China, promotes Sino-US friendship but supports Beijing’s views on Taiwan in letters to members of Congress and others, the same report said.
The Chinese Communist government says it is seeking “peaceful reunification” with democratic Taiwan, but with the reservation of “other options” for the island, which it considers a Chinese province.
SOURCE: APE-ME
Source: Capital
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