This study originally appeared every bit testimony earlier the U.S.-China Economic as well as Security Review Commission. Thank y'all to the Commissioners for convening this hearing today as well as inviting me to testify. The Commission has asked me to focus on assessing China’s relations amongst U.S. allies as well as partners inwards Southeast Asia—specifically, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, as well as Singapore. I was also asked to address the diverse tools amongst which China seeks to influence these countries as well as their relations amongst the United States, as well as to render related recommendations to the the States Congress.
The questions asked inwards this hearing today are of import as well as timely. In lite of recent revelations regarding Chinese Communist Party (CCP) influence operations inwards Western democracies, it is of import to smoothen attending on the number of whether CCP influence operations are beingness deployed elsewhere.1 Southeast Asia is a share of high strategic significance to China where it is leveraging all instruments of national ability – sometimes successfully, sometimes unsuccessfully – to wield influence. I volition hash out these efforts as well as objectives subsequently inwards my testimony.
Recent studies on Commonwealth of Australia as well as New Zealand bring demonstrated the extensive as well as centrally coordinated efforts through CCP-led mechanisms to influence world debates as well as policy outcomes inwards these countries. John Garnaut as well as Anne-Marie Brady bring described these countries every bit “canaries inwards the coal mine” of Chinese political influence efforts. If countries amongst rigid democratic institutions similar Commonwealth of Australia as well as New Zealand are vulnerable to Chinese influence as well as domestic political interference, 1 tin post away imagine that countries inwards Southeast Asia that bring weaker governance, less transparency as well as higher levels of corruption volition hold upward fifty-fifty to a greater extent than susceptible.
While at that topographic point is extensive study of China's diplomatic as well as economical influence as well as activities inwards Southeast Asia, it is notable that United Front Work Department (UFWD) efforts bring non been a focus for those studying these dynamics. I mean value at that topographic point are several reasons for this, but I produce promise this hearing helps spur U.S. Southeast Asia experts – academics, mean value tankers, regime experts including the tidings community – to focus to a greater extent than fourth dimension as well as attending on this issue.
Buat lebih berguna, kongsi:
