China’s “Citizen External Propaganda” Pipeline Put Chinese Nationals Inside Congress. They Wrote Lawmaker Speeches, Researched Policy and Responded to American Constituents.

 A recent investigation revealed that Chinese nationals participated in a U.S. governmental internship program, allowing them to work in congressional offices. This program was linked to China's broader influence strategy, with participants later working as advisors on U.S.-China relations in China.

1. Internship Program Background:

Chinese students were placed in U.S. congressional offices through a program operated by Chinese universities in collaboration with the Midwest U.S.-China Association.

The program, known as the "U.S. Government Internship Program," offered students experiences in legislative environments, facilitating correspondence, congressional briefings, and speech-writing for lawmakers.

2. Participants' Involvement:

Participants, like Zhang Xiaoyi from Beijing International Studies University, viewed their roles as opportunities for "citizen external propaganda," aiming to present a favorable image of China to American lawmakers.

Students had to pay around $4,000 for the program, covering various costs, including housing.

3. Years of Operation:

The internship program dates back to at least 2016 and included multiple universities, such as Renmin University and Communication University of China.

The program facilitated students' entry into U.S. congress offices, with participants often engaging in significant tasks rather than mere observation.

4. Post-Internship Careers:

Many participants utilized their experiences in congressional offices to advance careers focused on U.S. policy, such as Xin Qiang from Fudan University, who became a prominent expert on U.S.-China relations.

Participants returned to China to contribute to important Chinese state policies and research regarding U.S. legislative processes.

5. Specific Student Accounts:

Students like Yiyang Lan, Deng Zhicong, and Jiang Zhizhao documented their experiences working in Democratic Rep. Danny K. Davis's office, participating in policy discussions, and drafting speeches.

Their roles included engaging in real-time policy debates, allowing them to impact U.S.-China diplomatic discussions directly.

6. Current Investigations:

The Midwest U.S.-China Association, which facilitated the internships, is now under investigation by the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party for potential foreign influence in the U.S.

The investigation raises concerns about how Chinese nationals were able to learn about U.S. legislative operations and how that information has been utilized.

The presence of Chinese interns in U.S. Congress has spawned significant concern regarding foreign influence in American politics. The internship program has raised troubling questions about the extent of knowledge gained by these individuals and its implications for U.S. national interests. The ongoing investigation into related organizations aims to address the complexities surrounding these activities and their influence on U.S. policy-making processes.

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