Beijing's Foreign Influence Tactics, Hidden in Plain Sight New reports document the scope and sophistication of CCP influence operations

My latest piece: Beijing's Foreign Influence Tactics, Hidden in Plain Sight

According to OpenAI, a PRC user referenced “over 100 tactics” developed to manipulate narratives and silence, discredit or intimidate CCP critics globally. I highlight six.

underreportedchina.substack.com/p/beijings-f...

Beijing's Foreign Influence Tactics, Hidden in Plain Sight New reports document the scope and sophistication of CCP influence operations

My latest piece: Beijing's Foreign Influence Tactics, Hidden in Plain Sight

According to OpenAI, a PRC user referenced “over 100 tactics” developed to manipulate narratives and silence, discredit or intimidate CCP critics globally. I highlight six.

underreportedchina.substack.com/p/beijings-f...

UnderReported China | Sarah Cook | Substack News and analysis on China: human rights, technology, and foreign influence. Click to read UnderReported China, by Sarah Cook, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.

Heads up - A new UnderReported China post is coming out tomorrow! It outlines six emerging tactics in Beijing’s foreign influence toolbox, based on recent tech firm and policy research.

Subscribe here (it’s free) if you aren’t already: underreportedchina.substack.com

How Chinese AI Models Spread Propaganda and Censorship Globally New research underlines how artificial intelligence models from China spout distortions about Ukraine and more

My latest on how Chinese AI models spread propaganda & censorship globally.

New research finds that these models embed Beijing's content controls on topics vital to European and U.S. security, reaching far beyond the usual CCP taboos.

underreportedchina.substack.com/p/how-chines...

How Chinese AI Models Spread Propaganda and Censorship Globally New research underlines how artificial intelligence models from China spout distortions about Ukraine and more

My latest on how Chinese AI models spread propaganda & censorship globally.

New research finds that these models embed Beijing's content controls on topics vital to European and U.S. security, reaching far beyond the usual CCP taboos.

underreportedchina.substack.com/p/how-chines...

Radio Free Asia says it resumes broadcasts to China Radio Free Asia has resumed broadcasts to people in China, its CEO said on Tuesday, after Trump administration cuts last year largely forced the U.S.-funded outlet to cease operations.

www.reuters.com/world/asia-p...

China's DeepSeek: Implications of its Growing Reach in Autocracies and Democracies Plus new research on spoofed media domains, cultural propaganda, and united front networks in Mexico

Just updated my post on DeepSeek - #Estonia gov't published a new report, which concluded from its own checks - "When discussing issues related to Estonia's security, DeepSeek conceals key information and inserts Chinese propaganda into its answers".
underreportedchina.substack.com/p/chinas-dee...

China's DeepSeek: Implications of its Growing Reach in Autocracies and Democracies Plus new research on spoofed media domains, cultural propaganda, and united front networks in Mexico

Just updated my post on DeepSeek - #Estonia gov't published a new report, which concluded from its own checks - "When discussing issues related to Estonia's security, DeepSeek conceals key information and inserts Chinese propaganda into its answers".
underreportedchina.substack.com/p/chinas-dee...

China's DeepSeek: Implications of its Growing Reach in Autocracies and Democracies Plus new research on spoofed media domains, cultural propaganda, and united front networks in Mexico

A year after the China-based AI model DeepSeek made global headlines, how much traction has it gained?

My latest post in UnderReported China looks at its growing reach plus the implications for Beijing’s foreign influence and democratic resilience.
underreportedchina.substack.com/p/chinas-dee...

2025 Recap: Five Key Developments in Beijing’s Foreign Information Influence From deploying AI to courting youth influencers, the CCP’s tactics grew in subtlety and sophistication

In 2025, Beijing's foreign information influence grew more sophisticated and insidious, leveraging AI, influencers, and transnational repression to spread CCP narratives and silence critics.

See my latest in UnderReported China for five key trends underreportedchina.substack.com/p/2025-recap...

Trump-Xi Meeting: Why Transnational Repression Should Be on the Agenda Also the latest on school protests in China and PRC use of AI tools for foreign influence

Last month, OpenAI published its latest threat intelligence report. Two #China findings: PRC-linked accounts were using ChatGPT to design monitoring tools and also for disinformation campaigns, including for a video later found on TikTok.

Details: underreportedchina.substack.com/i/177486526/...

Why Trump Should Have Raised China’s Transnational Repression With Xi Jinping Even amid de-escalation efforts, there is strategic value to rebuffing Beijing’s overreach.

My latest via the Diplomat: Why Trump Should Have Raised China's Transnational Repression in the US with Xi.

Spoiler: One reason is cause Xi is personally driving some TNR campaigns.

thediplomat.com/2025/10/why-...

Trump-Xi Meeting: Why Transnational Repression Should Be on the Agenda Also the latest on school protests in China and PRC use of AI tools for foreign influence

New issue of UnderReported China, with analysis on why Trump should raise transnational repression with Xi when they meet tomorrow, the latest use of AI tools by CCP for disinformation operations, and how protests like this one are rising in China.

underreportedchina.substack.com/p/trump-xi-m...

Trump-Xi Meeting: Why Transnational Repression Should Be on the Agenda Also the latest on school protests in China and PRC use of AI tools for foreign influence

New issue of UnderReported China, with analysis on why Trump should raise transnational repression with Xi when they meet tomorrow, the latest use of AI tools by CCP for disinformation operations, and how protests like this one are rising in China.

underreportedchina.substack.com/p/trump-xi-m...

New Index Takes the Pulse of China’s Growing and Dynamic Foreign Influence - Power 3.0: Understanding Modern Authoritarian Influence By Sarah Cook In just the past month, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) added to its long track record of foreign influence. New details have emerged about the PRC’s continued involvement in espionage...

An updated version of my recent piece on the China Index findings on CCP foreign influence around the world is up at the Power 3.0 blog.

Thanks to the NED for improving and publishing it!
www.power3point0.org/2025/10/21/n...

New Index Takes the Pulse of China’s Growing and Dynamic Foreign Influence - Power 3.0: Understanding Modern Authoritarian Influence By Sarah Cook In just the past month, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) added to its long track record of foreign influence. New details have emerged about the PRC’s continued involvement in espionage...

An updated version of my recent piece on the China Index findings on CCP foreign influence around the world is up at the Power 3.0 blog.

Thanks to the NED for improving and publishing it!
www.power3point0.org/2025/10/21/n...

Many Chinese were separated from their loved ones this Mid-Autumn Festival, but there are also good news stories. Ms. Liu Pintong, a Falun Gong believer, escaped China after surviving a prison in Liaoning. She's now in the UK, reunited with her son.
underreportedchina.substack.com/i/175463235/...

Honoring China’s Prisoners of Conscience this Mid-Autumn Festival Sharing the stories of a jailed Chinese youth, a father serving a long sentence, and the recently released mother of a UK graduate student

Millions in #China and around the world celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival this week. But countless families are separated because of the CCP's repression. I wrote about their plight and three key prisoners in the latest issue of UnderReported China.

underreportedchina.substack.com/p/honoring-c...

Many Chinese were separated from their loved ones this Mid-Autumn Festival, but there are also good news stories. Ms. Liu Pintong, a Falun Gong believer, escaped China after surviving a prison in Liaoning. She's now in the UK, reunited with her son.
underreportedchina.substack.com/i/175463235/...

Honoring China’s Prisoners of Conscience this Mid-Autumn Festival Sharing the stories of a jailed Chinese youth, a father serving a long sentence, and the recently released mother of a UK graduate student

Millions in #China and around the world celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival this week. But countless families are separated because of the CCP's repression. I wrote about their plight and three key prisoners in the latest issue of UnderReported China.

underreportedchina.substack.com/p/honoring-c...

For Beijing’s Foreign Disinformation, the Era of AI-Driven Operations Has Arrived From content generation to operational refinement, China-linked accounts are increasingly using generative AI to support influence operations.

From content generation to operational refinement, China-linked accounts are increasingly using generative AI to support influence operations, explains @sarahgcook.bsky.social thediplomat.com/2025/09/for-...

A Backstory of Beijing’s Repression: Three Quick Takes on Recent News Who is Wang Xiaohong, what the ICIJ investigation missed, and what tariff wars might mean for forced labor in China

My latest from UnderReported China: A short piece with insights on recent news stories re tariff talks in Switzerland, the ICIJ's transnational repression investigation, and forced labor.

underreportedchina.substack.com/p/a-backstor...

UnderReported China | Sarah Cook | Substack News and analysis on China: human rights, technology, and foreign influence. Click to read UnderReported China, by Sarah Cook, a Substack publication with hundreds of subscribers.

Good morning! I just realized that my UnderReported China Substack is just 3 subscribers shy of 1,000….

If you’ve enjoyed my analysis and are feeling generous this morning, please help spread the word (or subscribe if you haven't already).

Thanks for your support!
underreportedchina.substack.com

Li Yanhe grew up in China but moved to Taiwan in 2009, where he started Gusa Press, publishing Chinese books and translations, incl. ones critical of the CCP. He returned home to see family. On March 26, he was sentenced to 3 yrs in prison. Details: underreportedchina.substack.com/p/how-shutti...

How Shutting Down VOA and RFA Also Leaves U.S. Policymakers in the Dark Foreign audiences are not the only ones being deprived of vital information on China

New issue of UnderReported China! With my reflections on how the effective shuttering of Radio Free Asia (RFA) and Voice of America (VOA)—exactly one month ago today—leaves an info gap not only for global audiences, but also for U.S. policymakers.

underreportedchina.substack.com/p/how-shutti...

This month Safeguard Defenders (SD) published a report with a staggering finding: over one million Chinese have sought asylum abroad since Xi Jinping took over the CCP in 2012.

More details on this and other new research via UnderReported China underreportedchina.substack.com/p/whats-next...

Plays on words like this are common in Chinese. Adds a layer of dark humor to quotes like this one from the article: "Bao Li and Qing Bao have already won the hearts of our staff and volunteers."

Giant pandas Bao Li and Qing Bao debut at National Zoo: See photos Bao Li and Qing Bao, two giant pandas, are making their public debut at the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute on Jan. 24, 2025.

#China may be trying to get a laugh at America's expense via panda diplomacy. Latest additions to the DC Zoo are Bao Li and Qing Bao.
Character used for Bao means "precious" but the names in pinyin also mean "violence" and "intelligence" (as in spying).
abcnews.go.com/GMA/Living/g...

This month Safeguard Defenders (SD) published a report with a staggering finding: over one million Chinese have sought asylum abroad since Xi Jinping took over the CCP in 2012.

More details on this and other new research via UnderReported China underreportedchina.substack.com/p/whats-next...

What’s Next for American Users on China's RedNote? Four Scenarios Shadows are already appearing over TikTok refugees’ honeymoon with a Chinese app

New issue of UnderReported China! Featuring four scenarios for how the influx of U.S. TikTok users to Chinese app RedNote could play out. Also, new data on asylum-seekers fleeing China, a book on China-Latin America, and a Chinese activist's release.

underreportedchina.substack.com/p/whats-next...