China’s Global Information and Influence Campaign

Project Expert

Joshua Kurlantzick
Joshua Kurlantzick

Senior Fellow for Southeast Asia

About the Project

Over the past five years, China’s state-backed global information strategy has been radically overhauled and expanded. This expanded information offensive coincides with Xi Jinping becoming the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao and reflects his desire to expand China’s political influence. The Chinese government is ramping up cultural and educational soft power efforts, boosting aid programming, upgrading efforts to influence politicians and political parties in other countries, and taking a more assertive approach to shaping global narratives about China and about China’s developmental model.

This project examines China’s strategy to expand its influence over information in many nations, including in Southeast Asia but also in the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world. It also examines other aspects of Beijing’s efforts to wield greater influence within other states’ political systems and societies. It examines what drives China’s global strategy, explores the tools Beijing is using, and assesses the possible effects of China’s information and influence efforts on democracy, and on the strategic interests of the United States and its partners.

This project is made possible by the generous support of the Stand Together Trust.

Blogs

Philippines

Unlike other Southeast Asian leaders, President Marcos Jr. has chosen to explicitly align the Philippines with the United States and confront China more directly.

China

Recent polling by the Pew Research Center demonstrates China’s global image has not recovered from recent setbacks.

Indo-Pacific

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in San Francisco next month is unlikely to alter the United States' approach to regional economic integration and trade.

China

Large democracies must combat Russia and China's support for the re-militarization of politics around the world.

Southeast Asia

Over the past six months, debates have grown in Australia and New Zealand about whether China is wielding more political influence within their borders than at any time in recent memory. In September…

China

Part of a Series of China’s Growing Influence Within Democratic Societies In a relatively short period of time, international media attention—and attention by policymakers—has focused on Beijing’s…