Influence and Disinformation Operations in China's Political Strategy

Influence operations and disinformation have been fundamental tools in the political strategies of many global powers throughout history. However, China's case stands out for its particular sophistication and reach, combining elements of soft power with economic pressure strategies, aggressive diplomacy, and systematic disinformation. This article will provide an in-depth analysis of how China implements these operations, the mechanisms it employs, its objectives, the impact on various countries, and the response strategies of other nations.

Difference Between Disinformation and Influence Operations

Before delving into China’s strategy, it is essential to differentiate between disinformation and influence operations. While these concepts sometimes overlap, they have significant distinctions:

• Disinformation: The intentional dissemination of false or misleading information with the aim of manipulating public opinion. This tactic is widely used in the international arena to generate confusion, polarization, or to delegitimize adversaries.

• Influence operations: Comprehensive strategies that utilize diplomatic, economic, informational, and cultural tools to modify attitudes, behaviors, and decisions in favor of the implementing country.

China has perfected both strategies, integrating them into an organized state apparatus with a global reach.

China’s Influence Structure: The United Front Work Department

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has refined various global influence strategies, using both diplomatic tools and covert persuasion mechanisms to shape international public opinion in favor of its interests. One of the key institutions in this effort is the United Front Work Department (UFWD), an entity specifically designed to exert control over overseas Chinese communities, forge alliances with strategic actors across various sectors, and neutralize dissenting voices. This department not only serves as an ideological arm of the CCP but has also become an essential pillar in China’s global power projection.

Since its inception, the UFWD has evolved from an internal cohesion mechanism for controlling ethnic and religious minorities within China into an international network of influence operating on multiple fronts. This research explores its main functions, its impact on different areas, and the strategies it has implemented to expand its reach worldwide.

History and Evolution of the United Front Work Department

The concept of the United Front has its roots in Maoist political strategy, where consolidating alliances with external groups was seen as essential for strengthening the communist regime. During the Chinese Civil War (1927–1949), Mao Zedong used the United Front as a tool to cooperate with other political and military factions to consolidate power.

After the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, the CCP institutionalized this tactic by creating the United Front Work Department, tasked with ensuring ideological control and loyalty from strategic sectors both domestically and internationally. Over time, its role has expanded significantly, becoming a central axis of the regime’s global influence apparatus.

Under Xi Jinping’s leadership, the UFWD has received a substantial boost. In 2015, Xi himself described the United Front as a "magic weapon" that allows the CCP to consolidate its authority, both in domestic politics and the international sphere. This formal recognition reinforced the entity’s role, securing greater resources and deeper integration with other government agencies.

Main Functions of the United Front Work Department

The UFWD carries out a series of strategic functions aimed at projecting the CCP’s influence across various sectors. Its activities include:

1. Control Over the Chinese Diaspora

One of the UFWD’s fundamental objectives is ensuring that the Chinese diaspora abroad remains aligned with CCP interests. To achieve this, it employs various tactics:

• Monitoring and pressuring Chinese citizens abroad: Through associations, consulates, and expatriate networks, the CCP exerts control over its citizens residing outside China. Those who speak out against the regime may face retaliation, including persecution of their relatives in China.

• Activating the diaspora as an influence agent: The CCP encourages the creation of pro-China organizations abroad to act as regime spokespersons, promoting its narrative and countering any critical discourse.

• Co-opting community and business leaders: The UFWD establishes ties with Chinese business figures abroad to influence local politics and promote Beijing-friendly initiatives.

2. Relationships with Foreign Media

Information manipulation is another key tool in the United Front’s strategy. Through cooperation with international media, China seeks to shape global perceptions of its regime:

• Alliances with foreign news agencies: The Chinese government has signed agreements with various Western news agencies, allowing it to influence media coverage.

• Expansion of Chinese state media abroad: Platforms such as CGTN, Xinhua, and China Daily have increased their presence in international media, promoting a positive image of China and disseminating content aligned with official propaganda.

• Pressure on journalists and independent media: In some cases, China has used its economic power to influence the editorial stance of foreign media, sanctioning those that publish critical content.

3. Pressure on Universities and Research Centers

The UFWD has identified the academic sector as a strategic space for influence projection. Its tactics include:

• Funding academic programs and research centers on China: Prestigious Western universities have received funds from entities linked to the CCP, raising concerns about academic independence.

• Promoting Confucius Institutes: Presented as centers for teaching the Chinese language and culture, these institutes have been accused of censoring politically sensitive topics and promoting Beijing’s official narrative.

• Intimidation of critical scholars: Researchers and professors who address sensitive issues such as human rights in China, the situation in Hong Kong, or repression in Xinjiang have faced pressure and threats.

4. Disinformation and Digital Manipulation

China has developed a highly sophisticated digital ecosystem to influence global public opinion. Some of its main tactics include:

• Use of bots and trolls on social media: Massive campaigns have been identified on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube aimed at amplifying pro-regime narratives and discrediting critics.

• Interference in foreign electoral processes: There is evidence that China has attempted to influence elections in other countries through disinformation campaigns.

• Blocking and censoring unfavorable information: Domestically, China maintains one of the most advanced digital censorship systems in the world, known as the "Great Firewall", but it also exports its control models to other countries through technological agreements.

The United Front Work Department has proven to be a key component of the Chinese Communist Party’s global influence strategy. Through its control over the diaspora, infiltration in media, and manipulation within academic and digital spheres, the regime has successfully expanded its narrative and neutralized dissenting voices internationally.

However, these tactics have not gone unnoticed. Countries such as the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom have begun implementing countermeasures against United Front influence by closing Confucius Institutes, enforcing stricter regulations on foreign interference, and promoting greater transparency in the relationships between academic institutions and authoritarian governments. The geopolitical competition between China and the West in the realm of information and influence will continue to be a central element in 21st-century international dynamics.

Cases of Influence in Spain

University of Salamanca and Pressure on Taiwanese Cultural Events

International relations in the 21st century are not only shaped by political and economic factors but also by academic and cultural dynamics. A paradigmatic case illustrating China's pressure in these areas is the incident at the University of Salamanca in 2017, when the Chinese embassy in Spain actively intervened to obstruct a cultural event about Taiwan. This case is not only a manifestation of China's diplomatic control over the international discourse on Taiwan but also reflects the influence the Chinese government exerts over academic institutions abroad. This article will analyze in depth the context, the development of the incident, and its implications for university autonomy, academic freedom, and international geopolitics.

Geopolitical Context: The One-China Policy and Taiwan's Status

To understand the Chinese embassy's reaction to the cultural event organized by the University of Salamanca, it is essential to grasp the geopolitical context of the China-Taiwan relationship. Since the end of the Chinese Civil War in 1949, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has regarded Taiwan as a rebellious province and has insisted on the "One China" policy, which stipulates that no country maintaining diplomatic relations with the People's Republic of China can officially recognize Taiwan as an independent state.

Over the decades, China has used its growing economic and diplomatic clout to marginalize Taiwan on the international stage. This strategy includes blocking Taiwan's participation in international organizations, reducing the number of countries that recognize it diplomatically, and pressuring governments, businesses, and academic institutions to adhere to Beijing's narrative. Within this context, any event promoting Taiwanese identity abroad is perceived as a challenge to the "One China" policy.

Development of the Incident at the University of Salamanca

In October 2017, the University of Salamanca organized a cultural event dedicated to Taiwan. Such events are common in many academic institutions, aiming to promote knowledge about different countries' history, culture, and society. On this occasion, Taiwanese diplomats participated in conferences and activities directed at the academic community.

However, just days after the event began, the university's administration received an official letter from the Chinese embassy in Spain. In this letter, the embassy expressed its "deep concern" over the event and emphasized that the university should respect the "One China" policy. Furthermore, the letter warned that maintaining academic relations with Chinese institutions could be affected if the event continued. This statement implied a veiled threat to the cooperation between the University of Salamanca and Chinese universities, many of which have student exchange agreements, research funding, and joint academic collaborations.

Faced with this pressure, the University of Salamanca found itself in a delicate position. On one hand, the university had to uphold its autonomy and academic freedom—fundamental principles in any higher education institution. On the other hand, the potential loss of agreements and Chinese funding posed a significant economic and strategic risk. In the end, the event took place, although with less publicity than originally planned, in an attempt to minimize confrontation with the Chinese embassy.

Implications of the Case

1. Academic Freedom and University Autonomy

The incident at the University of Salamanca highlighted China's growing influence over the autonomy of academic institutions abroad. The diplomatic pressure exerted in this case represents a broader trend in which the CCP seeks to shape discourse on Taiwan and other issues sensitive to its geopolitical interests. Although the university did not cancel the event, the mere fact that it received a warning from the Chinese embassy raises concerns about universities' ability to operate freely without external interference.

2. China's Economic Influence on Higher Education

China has leveraged its economic power to influence universities worldwide. Many institutions rely on tuition fees from Chinese students, funding for joint research, and cooperation with Chinese universities. This economic dependence creates an incentive for universities to avoid actions that could be perceived as contrary to Beijing's interests. The case of the University of Salamanca demonstrates how this influence can translate into direct political pressure.

3. Impact on Spain’s International Relations

Spain, as a member of the European Union and an ally of the United States, has historically maintained a balanced approach in its relations with China and Taiwan. While it officially recognizes the "One China" policy, it also maintains economic and cultural ties with Taiwan. The Chinese embassy’s intervention at the University of Salamanca serves as a reminder that China's foreign policy is not limited to government interactions but also extends to the academic and cultural spheres.

4. Precedents and the Future of Chinese Influence in Academia

The case of the University of Salamanca is not an isolated incident. Similar situations have occurred in other countries where China has attempted to influence university decisions, media coverage, and cultural events. As geopolitical competition between China and the West intensifies, such pressures are likely to become more frequent. The response of academic institutions will be crucial in determining the extent to which academic freedom is preserved against foreign influence.

The incident at the University of Salamanca is a clear example of how China employs diplomatic and economic pressure to restrict activities that it perceives as contrary to its geopolitical interests. While the university managed to carry out the Taiwanese cultural event, the fact that it received a warning from the Chinese embassy reveals the level of control that Beijing seeks to exert over academic discourse abroad.

As China continues to expand its global influence, it is essential for universities and Western governments to establish mechanisms to guarantee academic autonomy and protect freedom of expression. Only by resisting these pressures can higher education remain a space for open debate, free from external political interference.

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Manuela Carmena and Richard Gere: The Dalai Lama Case

Diplomatic relations between China and Western countries have been marked by multiple episodes of political pressure, strategic influence, and covert censorship. One of the most representative cases in Spain occurred during the administration of former Madrid mayor Manuela Carmena, who expressed her intention to invite the Dalai Lama to a forum on pacifism. The reaction from the Chinese embassy and its allies in Spain was swift: a formal protest letter was delivered to Madrid’s City Council by the Association for the Peaceful Reunification of China in Spain, warning that such an invitation could affect diplomatic and economic relations between Spain and China.

This episode not only exemplifies the level of pressure that Beijing's regime exerts abroad to protect its narrative on Tibet but also reveals the use of disinformation and diplomatic coercion tactics aimed at aligning local political actors with Chinese interests. In this article, we will analyze this case in depth, explore the geopolitical context surrounding it, and unravel the impact of Chinese influence on Spanish politics and diplomacy.

Geopolitical Context: China, Tibet, and the Dalai Lama

To understand China’s reaction to the Dalai Lama’s invitation to Madrid, it is essential to analyze the geopolitical situation of Tibet and the role of the Tibetan spiritual leader in global politics.

Tibet has been a disputed region since the People’s Liberation Army of China occupied the territory in 1950, consolidating Beijing’s control over a historically autonomous region. In 1959, after a failed uprising against the Chinese government, the Dalai Lama, Tibet’s spiritual and political leader, was forced into exile in India, where he established a government-in-exile. Since then, the Dalai Lama has advocated for Tibetan autonomy, exposed human rights violations committed by China, and promoted nonviolence as a method of resistance.

For the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), the Dalai Lama is not just a spiritual leader but a threat to its control over Tibet. Beijing has labeled the Dalai Lama a “separatist” and has implemented an international pressure campaign to prevent countries and political leaders from offering him support or visibility. This type of pressure has resulted in multiple episodes of censorship and political coercion worldwide.

Developing Events in Madrid

1. Manuela Carmena’s Intention to Invite the Dalai Lama

In 2017, Manuela Carmena, then mayor of Madrid, considered inviting the Dalai Lama to an international forum on pacifism and human rights. The invitation was partly promoted by American actor and activist Richard Gere, a well-known advocate for the Tibetan cause and a close friend of the Dalai Lama. Through his foundation, Gere has worked for decades to raise awareness about Tibet’s situation and has used his platform to denounce China’s oppression of Tibetans.

The idea of inviting the Dalai Lama to Madrid quickly sparked reactions. For China, any form of recognition or official invitation to the Dalai Lama represents an affront to its narrative of absolute control over Tibet. This led the Chinese embassy in Spain to act swiftly to block the event before it could materialize.

2. The Protest Letter and Diplomatic Pressure

Days after news of the Dalai Lama’s potential invitation broke, representatives of the Association for the Peaceful Reunification of China in Spain delivered a formal protest letter to Madrid’s City Council. The letter argued that inviting the Dalai Lama would be a “grave diplomatic mistake” that could jeopardize relations between China and Spain.

The letter highlighted the following points:

• China’s support for Spain’s territorial unity, referencing the situation in Catalonia.
• The claim that the Dalai Lama is a separatist, attempting to equate his cause with European independence movements.
• The potential negative impact on trade and diplomatic relations between China and Spain, subtly implying economic retaliation if the invitation proceeded.

3. The Comparison with Catalonia: A Disinformation Strategy

One of the most striking aspects of the letter was the comparison between the Tibet conflict and the political situation in Catalonia. Beijing has used this strategy on several occasions to gain European governments’ support for its policies on Tibet and Taiwan. By drawing a parallel between Catalan independence and the Tibetan autonomy movement, China seeks to influence public opinion and political leaders, suggesting that supporting the Dalai Lama is equivalent to endorsing separatism in Spain.

This disinformation strategy is a key element of China’s influence operations, as it distorts facts and decontextualizes political situations to align Western governments with Chinese foreign policy.

Impact and Consequences of the Case

1. Madrid City Council’s Response

Under pressure from the Chinese embassy and the intervention of the Association for the Peaceful Reunification of China in Spain, Madrid’s City Council ultimately chose not to proceed with the Dalai Lama’s invitation. This decision reflected the extent of Chinese influence over local institutions and the effectiveness of its diplomatic pressure tactics.

2. Implications for Freedom of Expression and Spanish Politics

The case demonstrated how China can exert influence over local politics in democratic countries, restricting the access of figures critical of its policies. The indirect censorship of the Dalai Lama in Madrid raises questions about Western democracies’ commitment to freedom of expression in the face of pressure from authoritarian regimes.

International Reactions

This episode adds to a long list of censorship attempts by China in other countries. Leaders such as former U.S. President Barack Obama and former German Chancellor Angela Merkel have received similar warnings after meeting with the Dalai Lama. In some cases, China has responded with economic retaliation, reducing trade agreements or restricting investment in countries that challenge its stance on Tibet.

The case of Manuela Carmena and Richard Gere in Madrid is a clear example of how China exerts its influence over foreign governments to protect its official narrative on Tibet. Through diplomatic pressure tactics, disinformation, and economic threats, Beijing seeks to prevent any action that legitimizes the Dalai Lama on the international stage.

This episode highlights China's growing ability to shape political and academic discourse in Western democracies. As its global influence continues to expand, it is crucial for democratic countries to establish mechanisms to resist such interference and protect their fundamental values, including freedom of expression and political autonomy.

Global Influence Strategies

1. Manipulation of the Chinese Diaspora

China has developed a global network of expatriate Chinese associations that act as channels of political influence. Through funding and direct pressure, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) controls these groups to promote its narrative in foreign media and discourage activities it considers hostile, such as pro-democracy activism or demonstrations in support of Taiwan and Tibet.

2. Influence in International Media

China has signed agreements with foreign news agencies, such as Reuters and the Associated Press, allowing Chinese media like Xinhua to distribute content on Western platforms. This facilitates the dissemination of covert propaganda and narratives favorable to Beijing without the public being aware of their origin.

3. Infiltration into Academia

Universities worldwide have received funding from China to establish Confucius Institutes—centers for teaching the Chinese language and culture that also function as political influence tools. In several countries, including the United States and Australia, these institutes have been shut down due to concerns about censorship and academic espionage.

4. Disinformation on Social Media

China uses social media platforms like Twitter and Facebook (which are banned within its own territory) to spread disinformation and exert influence. Through bots and fake accounts, there has been a growing presence of campaigns aimed at defending Beijing’s policies and attacking its critics.

5. Economic Pressure as a Tool of Influence

Many countries' economic dependence on China has allowed Beijing to use trade as a coercive tool. Examples include:

• Trade restrictions on Australia after the Australian government called for an investigation into the origins of COVID-19.

• Boycotts of South Korean products following the installation of the THAAD missile defense system in South Korea.

• Visa and tourism restrictions on countries that criticize China's policies on human rights and Hong Kong.

Response Strategies by Other Nations

1. Legislation Against Foreign Interference

Countries like Australia have passed laws that penalize foreign interference in politics and media, with a particular focus on China.

2. Restrictions on Confucius Institutes

The United States and several European countries have closed or limited the influence of these institutes in their universities.

3. Greater Transparency in Media and Social Networks

Some platforms have begun labeling Chinese state media accounts to alert users about their affiliation.
China has developed a global influence strategy that combines disinformation, economic pressure, and aggressive diplomacy. Through the United Front Work Department, Beijing operates on multiple fronts to expand its narrative and suppress dissent. However, the increasing response from other countries suggests that the international community is beginning to counteract these tactics, although the challenge remains significant.