Understanding the CCP threat

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) rules mainland China as a one-party state, where non-party members have no political rights. There is no transparency; no freedom of speech, religion, or the press, and a history of violent repression—including the gruesome Tiananmen Square massacre of pro-freedom protesters. The CCP is working to prepare for future conflicts by building up its military but also by extending its influence into nations like the United States.

Some CCP influence operations are currently legal and may seem innocuous. The CCP has sponsored programs at universities and in primary and secondary schools. It encourages certain kinds of cultural programs and sends its citizens to study, work, and invest in the United States. Many people who come to America from China are in fact fleeing oppression, but some are working for the CCP or for entities that it controls.

The CCP also sponsors illegal and openly hostile acts against American interests and infrastructure. For decades, American companies and workers have suffered from China’s theft of our intellectual property. More recently, CCP-sponsored computer hacking has not only targeted American businesses but also government agencies and critical infrastructure.

China’s communist rulers are pushing to expand their power and their ideology. They are laying the groundwork for future hostile acts, even war. America won the Cold War by pursuing peace through strength—a strategy of preparing for the worst in order to prevent the worst from ever happening. Now is the time to do what is necessary to protect Americans from the CCP threat.
 

Exposing foreign influence operations

The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has a multi-pronged strategy to influence policy and opinion in the United States. It has spent lavishly to buy influence in universities. It also sponsors other kinds of educational and cultural programming, all designed to manipulate what Americans know about China. Meanwhile, the CCP has been caught spying on and bullying Chinese dissidents. And it lobbies state governments with little to no transparency.

In Washington, DC, anyone representing a foreign government is required to register as a foreign agent. Most states currently have no such requirements. This needs to change—states should require disclosure of foreign agents who act to advance the interests of foreign adversaries.

Likewise, states can require transparency for all relationships between educational institutions and foreign adversaries. If a CCP-connected entity is sponsoring a language program at the local elementary school or a cultural exchange at the university, at least we should know who’s behind it. And states should ensure that their universities are careful to guard America’s latest research and technology.
 

Foreign threats and elections

Department of Justice officials have warned that foreign adversaries, including Russia, Iran, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), are trying to manipulate American elections. Their easiest tools are social media and news websites, but there are also risks of more direct involvement in campaign activities.

This isn’t new. In 1996, the Democratic National Committee was forced to return nearly $3 million in illegal donations from foreign nationals—including some with ties to Chinese military intelligence. Our allies have also been targeted, with Canada’s intelligence service finding that the CCP attempted to interfere with their federal elections in 2019 and 2021, using disinformation campaigns and even donations in support of Liberal party candidates.

A report by the U.S. Director of National Intelligence found “a diverse and growing group of foreign actors” attempting to influence American elections, “including China’s greater willingness to conduct election interference.”

The report, focusing on the 2022 elections, found multiple foreign adversaries working to “heighten sociopolitical divisions.” The CCP engaged in these activities while also attempting to “support or undermine a small number of specific candidates based on their policy positions.”

States need clear rules against direct or indirect political contributions from foreign entities, with rapid investigation and enforcement. They should also prohibit anyone from acting on behalf of a foreign entity in an attempt to influence state or local elections.

How states can protect critical infrastructure

Who has the most power to protect America’s critical infrastructure? State lawmakers and other state officials often have more power to protect American critical infrastructure than federal officials do. State governments can also act faster and have more local knowledge and expertise than agencies in Washington, DC. If we want to make America safe from foreign threats, states must act.

Modern connected technology creates a risk of foreign adversaries manipulating American infrastructure in a crisis—or to create a crisis. This could include sabotaging port facilities, shutting down cellular networks, or taking over law enforcement surveillance drones.

The first step for states is to identify current risks. What technology currently in use might allow “back door” access by foreign adversaries? What systems are dependent for parts and maintenance on overseas suppliers that are either controlled by foreign adversaries or could be shut down by them? What about ownership of agricultural land and other real estate?

In some of these areas, states must switch suppliers and replace compromised systems. They should work with private companies to ensure they understand and reduce the risks to state economies. And they must be vigilant as technologies change and global supply chains evolve.

In our connected world, states find themselves on the frontlines of potential conflicts. Thankfully, state governments can act to prepare for and reduce the threats to America’s security, prosperity, and freedom.