In recent years, China has intensified its efforts to maintain control over its citizens living abroad, particularly targeting young professionals and students in the United States. These individuals, many of whom are members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), are being coerced into acts of loyalty that put them at odds with American laws and immigration requirements.
The Demand for Loyalty
Chinese nationals who joined the CCP before leaving for the US are now being asked to engage in various activities to promote China’s image. This includes participating in webinars to learn how to spread propaganda, paying membership dues, studying political materials, and regularly checking in with party officials to ensure their continued allegiance.
At least 10,000 CCP members are currently studying or working in the US, occupying significant roles in top universities and corporations, especially within the technology and finance sectors. While this number is a small fraction of the 5.4 million Chinese diaspora, their influence is considerable.
Note that membership in the CCP is often a prior condition for having the opportunity to leave China for educational or other opportunities. A bad word from the CCP can screw things up mightily.
Conflict with US Laws
The pressure from Beijing has placed these individuals in a precarious position, creating a “legal conundrum” due to conflicting regulations. US laws, such as the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), require individuals to register as foreign agents if they are promoting the interests of foreign governments. Non-compliance with these laws can lead to severe legal repercussions.
Furthermore, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services deems membership in the CCP a disqualifying factor for obtaining a green card. This has led many Chinese professionals to hide their party affiliations when applying for work visas, despite the risks associated with lying on official documents.
Some Chinese students and professionals have adhered to the party’s demands to maintain their membership, viewing it as crucial for their career prospects upon returning to China. Others, however, have taken steps to minimize the impact of their party membership on their career and immigration status in the US.
Quitting the party is an option, but it is not easily implemented. The only legal way to resign from the CCP is to stop paying dues for six months, a process that can be complicated and fraught with its own risks. For instance, a retired junior party official from Zhejiang province reported receiving frequent calls from local party chapters insisting on due payments, despite his intentions to move to the US to be with his son.
The Chinese government’s efforts to maintain control over its citizens abroad show no signs of waning. The directives to promote China’s image and maintain party loyalty are part of a broader strategy to exert influence globally. For Chinese nationals in the US, this means continued challenges as they balance their allegiance to the CCP with the need to comply with American laws and secure their future in a foreign land.
While the sources for this article are focused on badgering of young people, ACZ is aware that some Chinese ex-pats who have protested against the CCP have been physically threatened and have been made aware that their families back in China are essentially hostages. China has the U.S. wired. What do we have in China?
