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American intelligence agencies have warned of influence operations targeting city halls and statehouses. But what’s in it for Beijing?
By Mara Hvistendahl
Mara Hvistendahl is an investigative journalist who has known China for years.
When a former New York aide governor was charged this year with acting as a Chinese agent, the federal indictment warned of Beijing’s unexpected interest in state governance in the United States.
Chinese domestic espionage, such as hacking and theft of trade secrets, is big news. But intelligence officials and prosecutors say Chinese diplomats and their proxies are increasingly offering rewards — benefits, pandas for local zoos, even salty ducks — to shape local politics or attract the favors of a city broker. or a state palace.
Here’s why.
There was a time when members of Congress visited China. These have almost stopped. In many parts of the United States, China is so unpopular that a legislator can simply pay a political fee to visit it.
Some members of Congress may also see it as risky to associate with people who are close to Beijing. Representative Eric Swalwell, Democrat of California, underwent a two-year ethics investigation after reports that a suspected Chinese spy had helped with fund-raising for his 2014 campaign. Investigators decided to take no action and closed the matter.
For Beijing, local leaders are the solution.
“As Washington’s attitude toward China hardens, the attitude of states becomes critical,” read a 2019 statement prepared through a Chinese think organization and Beijing’s Tsinghua University.
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