China
Xi Jinping's anti-corruption drive targets United Front and Chinese diaspora

China, Europe
Beijing adopts more 'subtle' approach to boost image abroad

In a bid to raise its tarnished image in the West, Beijing is revamping its influence strategy by focusing on discreet, targeted recruitment and eschewing the lavish offers once made to influencers. Instead, the CCP is seeking to subtly undermine Western criticism through voices deemed neutral and reliable.

The Agencies' Gazette
DGSE economic security changes, William Burns honoured, SVR reunion, Interference at French Assembly, Confucius contributes, SGDSN exit

Appointments, reforms and the issues at stake: every Monday, Intelligence Online serves up snippets big and small from the global intelligence community.

FranceDGSE's economic security appoints new head

United StatesEx-CIA chief William Burns to pick up intelligence gong

RussiaVets of former USSR services celebrate with SVR

FranceForeign interference mobilises National Assembly

ChineConfucius joins the fight against corruption

FranceNew adviser on the horizon at SGDSN

China
Xi Jinping's diplomacy revamp includes authoritarian refocus

Since the start of his third term in office, Xi Jinping has led a far-reaching overhaul of China's diplomatic apparatus, which has been reinvented as a multi-faceted party force, covering climate change and AI to food safety and the international narrative.

China, Italy
China's United Front tests influence method in Italy

The Chinese Communist Party is experimenting with new strategies to promote trade with Italy after the latter's exit from the New Silk Roads that, if successful, could be deployed elsewhere in Europe.

China
Recruitment drive for key posts at Chinese propaganda and United Front Work departments

President Xi Jinping is pressing the Chinese Communist Party to improve its capacity for dealing with the country's most sensitive issues, including Tibet, Taiwan, patriotism among students studying abroad and military-civil fusion.

China
China looks for new recruits for its phantom foreign police stations

The new agents sent to work in China's undercover police stations in a number of foreign capitals will need to be specially trained to carry out international police investigations or have good contacts in a country of particular interest to the Chinese authorities.

China
Xi's network of foreign police stations expands in Europe

Chinese police operate in at least 30 countries across four continents through a network of more than twenty foreign police stations that, as well as providing consular support to the Chinese diaspora, also conduct covert political operations.