China’s Political Influence Efforts in the U.S. Revealed Through Suspected Spy Case

Recently declassified FBI documents reveal a detailed account of how a purported Chinese spy became closely connected with former California Representative Eric Swalwell. These documents illuminate the covert political influence missions initiated by Beijing across the United States.

According to these records, Swalwell informed FBI agents in 2015 of his “physical relations” with Christine Fang, also known as Fang Fang, on multiple occasions. Fang was a volunteer in his campaign, as revealed by the White House Government Transparency Task Force.

U.S. intelligence officials from various administrations have frequently commented on the complexity and variety of China’s intelligence tactics. These range from balloons to malware. However, Fang’s case demonstrates the continued use of classic espionage tools like sex, money, and power.

Although there is no evidence suggesting Fang obtained classified information from Swalwell or others before returning to China, U.S. intelligence has uncovered a concerning pattern. This pattern involves attempts to influence grassroots American politics, possibly paving the way for future benefits over an extended period.

Swalwell’s Involvement with Beijing’s Strategy

Fang initially registered as a student at a university in the Bay Area in 2011. She became active in local politics through Asian American civic groups that supported the political ascents of figures like the then-councilman Swalwell.

Before becoming the focus of the “Freshman Fifteen” counterintelligence operation, the FBI targeted her under the code “Rusty Thumbs” for recruitment. Authorities suspected she was the child of intelligence officials from China’s State Security Ministry and considered her for double-agent work, until she was thought to be breaking U.S. election laws by organizing unlawful donations.

Swalwell, elected to Congress in 2013, faced initial suspicion. The FBI, and later the House Ethics Committee, cleared him of wrongdoing. Swalwell reportedly ceased contact with Fang once informed of her foreign influence activities by investigators. Nevertheless, the revelation of the case continued to overshadow his career after it became public in 2020.

In April, Swalwell withdrew his candidacy for governor of California and resigned from Congress amidst sexual misconduct allegations, which he contests. A special election scheduled for June 16 to fill his vacated seat in California’s 14th congressional district remained inconclusive, prompting a runoff on August 18.

China’s Broader Influence Goals

At age 30, Swalwell embarked on his congressional campaign, making him an appealing target for Beijing. This is part of China’s broader plan to establish influence at lower political levels in hopes of eventually gaining favorable positions in U.S. politics or government.

Chinese intelligence targets a wide spectrum, ignoring party boundaries, with ongoing assessments of U.S. political figures likely to support China’s agenda. Experts highlight that Western governments, with divided powers, are particularly vulnerable to China’s grassroots influence tactics. This approach differs from traditional lobbying as it remains unregistered and intentionally obscured.

While many of China’s targets in the U.S. may never hold public office, any successful endeavor is deemed worthwhile and only represents one angle of state-sponsored espionage.

Implications and Global Parallels

Within the diverse political landscape of the United States, individuals sympathetic to China’s cause act independently from state mandates, complicating accountability. A Newsweek probe previously linked over $1 million in U.S. political contributions to organizations tied to the Chinese Communist Party’s influence operations without evidencing illegality.

Additionally, former New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s chief of staff, Linda Sun, faced charges for allegedly serving as an unregistered foreign agent for China. Sun disputes these charges and further allegations of forging the governor’s signature on invitations to Chinese delegations since 2024.

In 2022, MI5 alerted British authorities about Christine Lee, in London, covertly collaborating with the Chinese Communist Party to direct funds to potential politicians. By 2024, the U.K. had barred businessman Yang Tengbo from entry for attempting to build connections between Chinese officials and influential Britons, such as former prime ministers and Prince Andrew.

U.S. intelligence advises against blanket skepticism towards Chinese Americans, who equally find themselves targets of Beijing’s influence or transnational repression. China leverages this nuanced environment, exploiting racial tensions and operating discreetly in Western political systems where evidence thresholds for legal action are high.

Swalwell’s legal representatives earlier advised the FBI to withhold the Fang Fang files, suggesting their potential use by Republicans to attack him and other Democrats. Nonetheless, they underline a serious threat: China is well-equipped for long-term strategic engagement with the American system.