China

In January 2026, mounting evidence of the People’s Republic of China’s global political influence campaign has drawn heightened scrutiny from Western capitals, where policymakers warn that Beijing’s tactics extend well beyond benign diplomacy — veering into organized influence operations that aim to shape political debate, research agendas, and strategic decision-making in democratic societies. A recent investigation highlighted a network of at least 75 Chinese-linked influence outposts across the United Kingdom, embedded in universities, business groups, and diaspora organizations. According to parliamentary and security sources cited by The Times, these outposts operate under the umbrella of China’s United Front system — a long-criticized component of Beijing’s global influence apparatus designed to co-opt elite opinion and build sympathetic networks abroad. UK security analysts warn that such operations blur the line between legitimate cultural and academic exchange and covert...