This episode focuses on China’s political influence activities beyond its borders, as it seeks to shape both public opinion and domestic policy of countries around the world. Our guest, Anne-Marie Brady, discusses her new report from the Woodrow Wilson Center, titled “Magic weapons: China’s Political influence activities under Xi Jinping,” and how China has sought to influence both New Zealand’s domestic politics and its public perception of China. Professor Brady explores the history of the Chinese Communist Party’s United Front Department, and the various methods it uses to influence policy in various countries. She also discusses how politicians should strive to guard against this type of meddling in the internal politics of their countries.
Dr. Anne-Marie Brady is a professor at the University of Canterbury in New Zealand and a global fellow with the Kissinger Institute on China and the United States’ Polar Initiative at the Wilson Center. Dr. Brady is the Executive Editor of The Polar Journal. Her research focuses on Chinese domestic and foreign politics as well as polar politics.