A Preliminary Study of PRC Political Influence and Interference Activities in American Higher Education

Oct 15, 2026

A preliminary research report examines how the PRC exerts political influence and interference activities within American higher education. Drawing on the geopolitical shift in U.S.-China relations after 2017, it analyzes how national strategies frame universities as channels for loss of strategically vital knowledge. The study reviews historical policy contexts, the current state of Chinese influence in society and academia, and outlines methods and data sources to support findings, leading to conclusions and policy implications for stakeholders.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages153

Reading Time6 h 26 min

AccessFree to download

Contents

Foreword

Acknowledgments

Executive Summary

Introduction

Historical Context and Official Policy

Current State of Play: “Chinese” Influence and Interference in Society and Academia

Research Question

Methods and Data Sources

Findings

Conclusions and Policy Implications

Works Cited

About the Author

A Preliminary Study of PRC Political Influence and Interference Activities in American Higher Education ANASTASYA LLOYD-DAMNJANOVIC A Preliminary Study of PRC Political Influence and Interference Activities in American Higher Education ANASTASYA LLOYD-DAMNJANOVIC [www.wilsoncenter.org](www.wilsoncenter.org) Available from: KISSINGER INSTITUTE ON CHINA AND THE UNITED STATES Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars One Woodrow Wilson Plaza 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20004-3027 [www.wilsoncenter.org](www.wilsoncenter.org) Cover: The Dalai Lama speaks to his supporters at the Brandenburger Gate in Berlin,© [vipflash / Shutterstock.com](vipflash / Shutterstock.com); Map of Taiwan, © Claudio Divizia / [Shutterstock.com](Shutterstock.com) THE WILSON CENTER, chartered by Congress as the official memorial to President Woodrow Wilson, is the nation’s key nonpartisan policy forum for tackling global issues through independent research and open dialogue to inform actionable ideas for Congress, the Administration, and the broader policy community. Conclusions or opinions expressed in Center publications and programs are those of the authors and speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Center staff, fellows, trustees, advisory groups, or any individuals or organizations that provide financial support to the Center. Please visit us online [at www.wilsoncenter.org](at www.wilsoncenter.org). Jane Harman, Director, President, and CEO BOARD OF TRUSTEES Chair: Frederic V. Malek, Founder and Chairman, Thayer Lodging Group, a Brookfield Property Public members: Alex Azar, Secretary, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; Elisabeth DeVos, Secretary, U.S. Department of Education; David Ferriero, Archivist of the United States; Carla D. Hayden, Librarian of Congress; Jon Parrish Peede, Chairman, National Endowment for the Humanities; Michael Pompeo, Secretary, U.S. Department of State; David J. Skorton, Secretary, Smithsonian Institution Private Citizen Members: Peter J. Beshar, Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc.; Thelma Duggin, President, AnBryce Foundation; Barry S. Jackson, Managing Director, The Lindsey Group and Strategic Advisor, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck; David Jacobson, Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada and Vice Chair, BMO Financial Group; Nathalie Rayes, Vice President of Public Affairs, Grupo Salinas; Earl W. Stafford, Chief Executive Officer, The Wentworth Group, LLC; Jane Watson Stetson, Philanthropist; Louis Susman, Former U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom Contents vii Foreword xi Acknowledgments 1 Executive Summary 6 Introduction 15 Historical Context and Official Policy 32 Current State of Play: “Chinese” Influence and Interference in Society and Academia 39 Research Question 42 Methods and Data Sources 47 Findings 113 Conclusions and Policy Implications 127 Works Cited 143 About the Author Foreword U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS are in uncharted territory. In late 2017, after 40 years in which Beijing and Washington emphasized mutual cooperation, President Donald Trump used his National Security Strategy (NSS) to declare that relations with China had become fundamentally contentious. China, like Russia, challenged “American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity…determined to make economies less free and less fair, to grow their militaries, and to control information and data to repress their societies and expand their influence.” With that statement, Washington joined Beijing in viewing bilateral relations as essentially competitive. The age of rivalry had begun. The NSS also identified American universities as vectors for the loss of strategically vital knowledge to China. This was new. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1979, Sino-U.S. educational relations, and the work of the millions of Chinese students who studi

FAQs

What shift in U.S.-China relations frames the study’s focus on higher education?

The report points to a change after late 2017, when the U.S. National Security Strategy characterized relations with China as fundamentally contentious and identified universities as potential vectors for loss of strategically vital knowledge.

How does the report connect China’s strategy to students and universities?

It explains that PRC strategy links technological innovation and knowledge acquisition to China’s rejuvenation, and argues that Chinese students and people of Chinese heritage abroad can support the “China Dream,” with operationalization tied to government agencies.

What parts of the research process are covered in the document?

The table of contents includes a stated research question, methods and data sources, followed by findings, then conclusions and policy implications.

Oct 15, 2026

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