'Chinese Influence Operations: A Machiavellian Moment' - An insight into the book
The report delves into the intricate realm of Chinese influence operations, drawing parallels to Machiavellian tactics, and provides a meticulous analysis of China"s strategic efforts to wield influence on the global stage.
NewsBharati 21-Sep-2023 17:22:09 PM
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"Chinese Influence Operations: A Machiavellian Moment" is a comprehensive and thought-provoking report authored by P. Charon and J.-B. Jeangène Vilmer, published by the Institute for Strategic Research (IRSEM) under the Ministry for the Armed Forces in France. This report delves into the intricate realm of Chinese influence operations, drawing parallels to Machiavellian tactics, and provides a meticulous analysis of China's strategic efforts to wield influence on the global stage.
Brief History Chinese Influence Operations
For a long time, it could be said that China, unlike Russia, sought to be loved rather than feared; that it wanted to seduce and project a positive image of itself in the world, or to inspire admiration. Today, Beijing has not renounced to seduce, nor its overall attractiveness and its ambition to shape international standards, and it is essential for the Chinese Communist Party not to lose face. And yet, Beijing is also increasingly comfortable with infiltration and coercion: its influence operations have become considerably tougher in recent years and its methods are resembling more closely the ones employed by Moscow. This is a “Machiavellian turn” in as much as the Party-State now seems to believe that “it is much safer to be feared than to be loved,” in the words of Machiavelli in The Prince. This is a clear change of Chinese influence operations.
This report delves into this evolution, with the ambition to cover the whole specter of influence, from the most benign (public diplomacy) to the most malign methods, that is, interference (clandestine activities). To do that, the report is divided into four parts: successively laying out the main concepts; the actors implementing these operations, including the Base 311 of the People’s Liberation Army; the actions conducted by Beijing toward the diasporas, the media, diplomacy, economy, politics, education, think tanks, and in terms of information manipulations – some levers among others; then, several cases are studied (Taiwan, Singapore, Sweden, Canada, the operations that targeted Hong Kong protestors in 2019, and the one that branded the Covid-19 as an American fabrication in 2020).
The report assesses the effectiveness of this new Chinese posture, which can boast some tactical successes, but constitutes a strategic failure.
The Institute for Strategic Research (IRSEM), founded in 2009, is a research institute attached to the French Ministry for the Armed Forces.
The Authors
Dr. Paul CHARON is Director for “Intelligence, Strategic Foresight, and Hybrid Threats” at the Institute for Strategic Research (IRSEM). He holds a PhD in Political Studies and Chinese Studies from the School of Advanced Studies in the Social Sciences (EHESS, Centre d’études sur la Chine moderne et contemporaine) and an MBA (HEC).
Dr. Jean-Baptiste JEANGÈNE VILMER is the Director of the Institute for Strategic Research (IRSEM). Trained in three disciplines – Philosophy (Bachelor, Master, Ph.D.), Law (Bachelor, LL.M., postdoctorate) and Political Science (Ph.D.) – in France and abroad, he was previously a policy officer on Security and Global Affairs at the Policy Planning Staff of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Understanding Influence Operations
The book begins with a solid foundation, offering readers a clear definition of influence operations and their significance in contemporary geopolitics. The authors elucidate the concept of "sharp power," differentiating it from traditional forms of soft and hard power. This section lays the groundwork for comprehending the complexities of China's influence strategies.
The report sets the stage, providing an overview of the growing significance of influence operations in the modern geopolitical landscape. The authors introduce the term "Machiavellian Moment" as a lens through which to understand China's intricate manipulation of power dynamics to achieve its strategic goals. The tone is both analytical and captivating, drawing readers into the exploration of this challenging subject.
The authors trace the historical evolution of Chinese influence operations. From the Mao era to the modern day, the report offers a comprehensive understanding of the ideological and tactical shifts that have shaped China's approach to influence. This historical perspective is crucial for contextualizing the contemporary strategies discussed in later sections.
They highlight the historical roots of influence strategies, drawing parallels with Machiavellian tactics employed during the Renaissance. This part serves as an essential framework for the subsequent exploration of Chinese influence operations. It explains the underlying principles and psychological mechanisms that guide the art of manipulation and persuasion.
The report delves into the intricate landscape of Chinese influence operations on the global stage. With an aim to decipher the motivations, strategies, and implications of these operations, the report offers insights into the evolving dynamics of China's diplomatic and strategic efforts.
China's Strategic Objectives:
In this section, the report delves into the motives driving China's influence operations. The authors dissect China's ambition to reshape global narratives, project soft power, and secure favorable geopolitical outcomes. They show how China's influence efforts extend beyond traditional diplomacy, encompassing a wide array of tools such as economic investments, cultural initiatives, and digital propaganda.
China's Strategic Influence Campaigns
This segment forms the crux of the report, exploring China's multifaceted influence campaigns across diplomatic, economic, information, and military domains. The authors scrutinize China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), technological expansion, Confucius Institutes, and cyber activities, providing analyses of their implications for global power dynamics.
Tactics and Techniques:
Part III is the heart of the report, where the authors delve into the tactical intricacies of Chinese influence operations. They examine the techniques employed in shaping public opinion, infiltrating media landscapes, and steering international discourse. The analysis of China's utilization of technology, social media platforms, and information warfare provides readers with a detailed understanding of the methods used to advance the country's interests.
Unveiling the Machiavellian Elements
Building on the Machiavellian analogy, Part II dissects the historical context and core components of Machiavellian tactics and how they intersect with China's influence operations. The authors draw parallels between China's statecraft and Machiavellian principles, highlighting the pragmatism, manipulation, and realpolitik that underpin both approaches.
The ethical implications of employing Machiavellian tactics in contemporary diplomacy are examined in this section. The authors bring out the moral dilemmas surrounding influence operations, questioning the boundaries between legitimate statecraft and subversive manipulation.
Tools and Techniques
One of the highlights of the report, this section delves deep into the array of tools and techniques China employs for influence operations. From state-controlled media to the Belt and Road Initiative, the authors analyse each mechanism, outlining their mechanisms, objectives, and real-world impact.
Motivations and Goals
Here, the authors explore the underlying motivations driving China's influence operations. Beyond the conventional realm of geopolitical power, the report reveals the intricate interplay between China's domestic interests and its global ambitions. Economic growth, regime stability, and the quest for global leadership converge in a complex web of motivations that shape China's actions.
Case Studies and Impacts
The report backs its analysis with case studies, demonstrating China's influence operations in action. The South China Sea dispute, the United Nations engagement, and economic coercion tactics are examined in detail. The authors assess the successes and failures of these campaigns, shedding light on their broader impact on international relations.
The section brings out a series of case studies. The authors dissect China's influence operations in various countries, highlighting both successes and failures. These case studies serve as concrete examples of the strategies discussed earlier, offering readers a practical view of how these operations unfold in real-world scenarios.
China has effectively utilized its strategies to sway public perception, policy decisions, and international relations. These case studies range from economic partnerships and investment projects to media manipulation and cultural diplomacy, offering readers a clear picture of the breadth and depth of China's influence.
Implications and Responses
The report doesn't merely analyze the mechanics of Chinese influence; it also delves into the broader implications and responses from the international community. From concerns over information warfare to diplomatic countermeasures, the authors provide a balanced examination of how other nations are grappling with China's Machiavellian approach.
The authors explore the responses and countermeasures that nations can employ to mitigate the impact of Chinese influence operations. They highlight the importance of bolstering media literacy, enhancing transparency, and fostering international cooperation to safeguard democratic values and national sovereignty.
The focus js to the responses of Western democracies to China's influence operations. The report evaluates the efficacy of different countermeasures, ranging from increased transparency to targeted policy adjustments. By highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of these responses, the authors provide valuable insights for policymakers and strategists.
Analysis and Critique:
"Chinese Influence Operations: A Machiavellian Moment" is an exceptional piece of scholarship that combines historical analysis, meticulous research, and strategic insight. The authors' comprehensive approach, from tracing the historical trajectory to dissecting contemporary case studies, offers readers a holistic understanding of China's influence operations. The report's rigorous research and well-structured presentation make it an indispensable resource for policymakers, scholars, and anyone interested in understanding the intricacies of modern geopolitics.
Chinese Influence Operations-Some Tactical Successes but a Strategic Failure
Machiavelli affirmed that “it is much safer to be feared than to be loved.” Yet, having read Cicero,107 he immediately added that “a prince must nevertheless make himself feared in such a way that he will avoid hatred, even if he does not acquire love; since one can very easily be feared and yet not hated.”108 This is precisely what Beijing has failed to do. Chinese influence operations have been met with tactical successes. China is able to constrain private companies, such as airlines or hotel chains, to name their destinations differently (“Taipei, China”), or the NBA to apologize for the tweet of a club official. It also demonstrated an ability to inflict high financial damages (when it blocked the website of The New York Times in 2012, as a retaliation for an article Chinese authorities did not like, the group’s stock market value fell by 20% in twenty-four hours). Additionally, from fear of retributions, many companies refrain from publishing ads in media outlets critical of China, which impoverishes these outlets. Yet, despite these little victories, the offensive has been a strategic failure. China’s influence in the world has led to a backlash against it that is both widespread and growing. This is not a new trend: China remains its own best enemy in terms of influence. It can be seen in Africa.
The BRI also faced numerous setbacks in the past couple of years, with the same complaints (“Chinese try to take everything they can, without paying attention to the employees or the local companies. They act as if we were a colony.
Now, with its “wolf warrior” diplomacy, its information manipulations and brutal methods, Beijing has definitely altered its image.
Xi Jinping, affirmed that the pandemic could provoke the strongest wave of anti-Chinese feelings in the world since Tian’anmen in 1989, and that it could also feed into the resistance against BRI projects and invite Washington to increase its financial and military support to Asian allies – increasing the risk of confrontation.
Several affairs, including the case of espionage against the African Union headquarters, the “hostage diplomacy” used to coerce Canada and a growing number of other countries, the revelations about the concentration camps for Uyghurs (“China Cables”)114 and the management of the Hong Kong crisis have all contributed to the deterioration of Beijing’s image after Xi Jinping came to power. However, this evolution is relative: it is among the developed economies, especially Western states (Europe and North America) and their allies (Japan, South Korea), that China’s image has deteriorated significantly. It remains correct, and is even improving in developing countries. This polarization reflects Beijing’s double discourse, which “plays on confrontation with the West and seduction of the South.
Conclusion:
"Chinese Influence Operations: A Machiavellian Moment" is a meticulously researched and well-structured report that offers a comprehensive overview of China's influence operations in the modern world. By framing these operations within the context of Machiavellian principles, the authors provide a thought-provoking perspective that enriches the reader's understanding of the subject. The inclusion of case studies and countermeasure assessments enhances the report's practical relevance, making it an indispensable resource for policymakers, researchers, and anyone interested in the evolving dynamics of global politics. The authors' balanced approach, critical analysis, and comprehensive coverage ensure that this report will remain a significant contribution to the field of international relations and security studies.
The authors conclude the report by summarizing their findings and reiterating the concept of the "Machiavellian Moment." They emphasize the need for comprehensive strategies to counter Chinese influence operations, acknowledging the complexity and persistence of this challenge.
"Chinese Influence Operations: A Machiavellian Moment" stands as a seminal contribution to the understanding of China's influence strategies on the global stage. The report combines historical context, strategic analysis, and real-world examples to paint a comprehensive picture of China's multifaceted efforts. The authors' expertise in the fields of international relations and security studies is evident in the depth of analysis and clarity of presentation.
This report is indispensable for policymakers, researchers, and analysts seeking a nuanced understanding of China's influence operations. Its exploration of tactics, motives, and potential countermeasures equips readers with the knowledge needed to navigate the complex realm of contemporary international relations in the face of growing influence efforts by China. The report's scholarly rigor, combined with its accessible language, makes it an invaluable resource for anyone interested in the evolving dynamics of global power struggles and is an important report which all Indians must study.
In an era where influence operations have become a critical aspect of global affairs, "Chinese Influence Operations: A Machiavellian Moment" provides an authoritative exploration of China's tactics, motivations, and implications. P. Charon and J.-B. Jeangène Vilmer have produced a report that not only sheds light on China's strategies but also equips readers with the knowledge needed to navigate the evolving landscape of international influence.
This report is a must-read for those seeking a deep and nuanced understanding of China's influence operations and their impact on the world stage. Its thorough analysis, historical context, and insightful conclusions make it a valuable contribution to the field of strategic studies.
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BRIG Hemant Mahajan
Passionate writer on National Security related issues, Brig Hemant Mahajan YSM (Retd) is M Sc, M Phil in Defence Studies. He joined IMA Dehradun in July 1973 and passed out as a Commissioned Officer on 15 June 1975. He was commissioned into 7 MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY. He has served extensively in Counter Insurgency Operations in Insurgency and Terrorist prone areas of Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and North East and has taken part in all important operations undertaken by the Army since 1975.
Brig Hemant Mahajan served in Jammu & Kashmir, in the deserts of Rajasthan, in Super High Altitude areas of Kargil and Leh, forward areas of Arunachal Pradesh. He was deployed in Punjab in ‘Operation Avert’. He was also involved in maintaining peace post ‘Operation Bluestar’ days in Punjab in the worst affected district of Gurdaspur, Taran Taran and Amritsar.He served in the areas of Darjeeling, Kurseong, Siliguri and Sikkim. He commanded his battalion 7 MARATHA LIGHT INFANTRY in Operation Rakshak in the most difficult areas of Poonch and Rajouri during the times of highest militancy. His unit was responsible for stopping terrorists from Pakistan into Jammu and Kashmir. His unit was awarded Unit Citation, 18 gallantry awards including YSM (gallantry) for the officer.