United Front Work: What does China's 'magic weapon' of influence do?
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The UFWD is a decades-old - and increasingly controversial - arm of China's Communist Party. What does it do?

Summary

China’s United Front Work Department (UFWD), dubbed a “magic weapon” by Mao Zedong and Xi Jinping, is an arm of the Communist Party focused on global influence.

It targets overseas Chinese communities, shaping narratives on Taiwan, Tibet, and Xinjiang, and has been linked to espionage allegations.

Western nations, including the US and Australia, have responded with foreign interference laws, though Beijing denies wrongdoing.

High-profile cases, like those involving Yang Tengbo and Christine Lee, highlight concerns over blurred lines between influence and spying.

Experts warn against racial profiling, which risks alienating Chinese diaspora communities and playing into Beijing’s propaganda.