Competing Without Fighting: China's Strategy of Political Warfare
China is executing a comprehensive political warfare strategy to enhance its global influence while undermining the United States and its allies through espionage, cyber operations, disinformation, and economic coercion.
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| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Report location: | source |
| Language: | English |
| Publisher: | Center for Strategic International Studies |
| Authors: | Catrina Doxsee, Emily Harding, Jake Harrington, Riley Mccabe, Seth G. Jones |
| Geographic focus: | United States |
Methods
The research method involved a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data analysis of espionage cases, cyber incidents, and private security companies with qualitative analysis of Chinese documents, speeches, and social media. The authors reviewed over 100 U.S. indictments related to Chinese intelligence activities and conducted interviews with government officials and experts from various countries.
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Key Insights
This report analyzes China's political warfare, which encompasses a range of activities below the threshold of armed conflict aimed at achieving national objectives. It highlights China's aggressive campaign to expand the influence of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and weaken U.S. power through sophisticated espionage, cyber operations, disinformation campaigns, and economic coercion. The report reveals that China's primary target is the United States, with extensive operations infiltrating U.S. academic institutions, companies, and government agencies. It discusses various tactics employed by China, including intelligence operations, cyber attacks, information manipulation, united front work, irregular military actions, and economic coercion. The report emphasizes the need for the U.S. and its allies to recognize and counter these activities effectively. It concludes that while China seeks to avoid direct military confrontation, its political warfare strategy poses significant challenges to U.S. interests and global stability. The report calls for a comprehensive response grounded in democratic principles and strengthened partnerships to address the evolving threat posed by China's political warfare.
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Additional Viewpoints
Categories: 2020s time horizon | 2023 time horizon | English publication language | United States geographic scope | china | china strategy | chinese communist party | cyber operations | defence | disinformation | economic coercion | education | espionage | globalisation | influence operations | intelligence collection | irregular military actions | political warfare | social media | soft power | technology | united front work | warfare activities