Institute for China-America Studies

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The Institute for China-America Studies (ICAS) is a think tank operated by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in Washington, D.C.

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The institute was founded with funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China through the National Institute for South China Sea Studies (NISCSS). [1] When it was founded in 2015, it was the CCP's first foreign think tank. [2] It was formed in response to Chinese Communist Party general secretary Xi Jinping's call for the CCP's supporters to establish a presence in the United States to "go global" to "advance the Chinese narrative." [3]

ICAS is known for its support of China's aggressive territorial claims in the South China Sea and advocacy in the United States for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). [4] Its efforts have been described as CCP "propaganda". [5]

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A U.S. government report from the United States–China Economic and Security Review Commission described ICAS as an attempt by the CCP to "directly inject its own voice into policy discussions" as "part of a campaign to introduce Beijing’s views on its territorial claims in the South China Sea to Washington". [6]

Foreign Policy reported that despite its significant funding, ICAS struggles in gaining credibility and attention in the United States due to its alignment with Beijing's views and lack of aggressive engagement and sophisticated operations within the think tank ecosystem. [1] It is viewed as part of China's multi-pronged strategy to force its will in the South China Sea against international law and as a mouthpiece for the CCP. [7] [8]

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References

  1. 1 2 Fish, Isaac Stone (July 7, 2016). "Beijing Establishes a D.C. Think Tank, and No One Notices". Foreign Policy . Archived from the original on 2024-03-27. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  2. "China's Foreign Propaganda Machine | Wilson Center". Wilson Center. Archived from the original on 2020-09-18. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  3. Diamond, Larry Jay; Schell, Orville; Hoover Institution on War, Revolution, and Peace, eds. (2019). China's influence & American interests: promoting constructive vigilance: report of the Working Group on Chinese Influence Activities in the United States. Hoover Institution Press publication (Revised ed.). Stanford, California: Hoover Institution Press. p. 81. ISBN   978-0-8179-2285-6. OCLC   1111089774.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: editors list (link)
  4. Hiebert, Kyle (January 4, 2023). "War Games Offer Partial Picture of a Future China-US Clash Over Taiwan". Centre for International Governance Innovation . Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  5. "Beware Chinese Influence but Be Wary of a China Witch Hunt | Council on Foreign Relations". Council on Foreign Relations. Archived from the original on 2024-03-03. Retrieved 2024-09-26.
  6. "China's Overseas United Front Work" (PDF). U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. August 24, 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 9, 2018. Retrieved September 26, 2024.
  7. "Chinese Influence & American Interests" (PDF). Asia Society . Stanford University. 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2024-01-06. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  8. Schestowitz, Roy (2018-01-04). "The Chinese Communist Party has growing sway in Western universities". Democratic Audit. Archived from the original on 2024-06-12. Retrieved 2024-09-26.

Further reading