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A suspected Chinese spy infiltrated the inner circles of U.S. politics in 2015, raising alarms about national security. The case involved Fang Fang, a Chinese national who acted as a fundraising “bundler” for Democratic Congressman Eric Swalwell. Her involvement escalated to the point where the FBI intervened to neutralize the potential threat, underscoring a critical issue: the accessibility of Chinese operatives to American policymakers.
The Fang Fang incident highlights a troubling trend—Chinese operatives exploiting student visas to gain entry into the United States and access influential positions in government. This growing concern prompted calls for President Donald Trump to take decisive action against such infiltration.
The urgency for reform stems from vulnerabilities in the system that allow foreign nationals, particularly those connected to the Chinese Communist Party, to embed themselves within U.S. institutions. Echoing these concerns, Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently outlined plans to enhance scrutiny of student visas linked to China.
New Measures Introduced
Under Trump’s leadership, the U.S. State Department plans to work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to revoke student visas associated with the Chinese Communist Party or individuals studying in sensitive fields. This proactive approach aims to close off avenues through which Chinese operatives could exploit American education for espionage.
Rubio emphasized that the new visa policy is both essential and overdue. Beijing’s long-term strategy involves embedding agents within educational institutions, allowing them to establish ties with future political leaders. In 2020, FBI Director Chris Wray warned that the Chinese Communist Party views its relationship with the U.S. as a generational struggle for supremacy in economic and technological domains.
Incidents of Chinese Espionage
The Swalwell case is not an isolated incident. A senior U.S. intelligence official revealed that she was one among many agents involved in espionage activities. At the time, the FBI was investigating approximately 2,500 cases related to Chinese espionage, crystalizing the urgency of the situation.
Chinese espionage typically initiates on college campuses, where connections can be formed with upcoming political figures. The path of Fang Fang is a case in point: she enrolled at California State University, East Bay, became active in student political organizations, and even led the Chinese Student Association and the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs club.
Organizational Networks
The involvement of Chinese embassies and consulates is crucial, having supported the formation of numerous Chinese students and scholars associations across U.S. campuses. The infiltration of these organizations creates opportunities for Chinese operatives to connect with and potentially manipulate American politicians.
The U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission reported on 2018 that many Chinese students’ organizations often disguise their links to the Chinese government. They frequently remove sensitive language from the English versions of their websites to avoid scrutiny by university administrators.
Educational Partnerships and Espionage
In addition to campus organizations, China has established various joint-venture educational programs and institutions in the U.S. The Confucius Institutes, which were marketed as cultural and language programs, served as conduits for Chinese government influence. Staff members at these institutes had to pledge loyalty to Chinese interests, thus compromising the integrity of academic environments.
Following Congressional action that limited federal funding to schools that host Confucius Institutes, many of these programs faced closure. However, the threat of espionage has not diminished, as evidenced by reports of sophisticated Chinese intelligence operations targeting students specializing in sensitive fields like artificial intelligence and robotics, particularly at institutions like Stanford University.
A Growing Concern
U.S. colleges and universities represent more than just soft targets; they frequently become compromised entities. Recent statistics indicate that as of February 2025, U.S. institutions reported over $4 billion in disclosed funding from China, with estimates suggesting that up to $60 billion has flowed from foreign sources into American academic institutions over the past decade.
During my service on the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, we warned about the risks posed by the CCP accessing sensitive research at institutions like UC Berkeley. Despite these warnings, the Biden administration has shown reluctance to address these serious security concerns.
The new investigative initiatives under the Trump administration aim to address these vulnerabilities, such as the recent examination into UC Berkeley for failing to disclose $220 million in purported foreign funding linked to CCP partnerships.
Ensuring National Security
Following years of perceived neglect under previous administrations, Trump is committed to implementing measures that directly combat Chinese espionage efforts. The new visa reforms represent a proactive stance towards safeguarding America’s national security and protecting its institutions from foreign infiltration.
This critical shift in policy reflects a broader recognition of the threats posed by espionage and emphasizes the need for vigilance. As China continues its long-term strategy of inserting operatives into American academia and politics, the strengthened visa policies serve as a crucial line of defense against potential security breaches and foreign influence in American governance.
