But analysts, intelligence agencies and politicians are now debating how to handle the subtler challenge of Chinese influence activities: a “magic weapon” neither cloak-and-dagger nor transparent. It embraces foreigners, appointing those with political influence to high-profile roles in Chinese companies. A leading scholar on China has alleged that its “covert, corrupting and coercive political influence activities in New Zealand are now at a critical level”. In places, laws may need to be tightened, though with care: banning foreign political donations is a basic step. China’s influence would not go very far without the western hunger for its cash.

Source: The Guardian January 17, 2018 18:11 UTC