China’s Global Espionage Network: How Democracies Are Responding | Taiwan Talks EP842

China’s alleged global proxy and influence networks are coming under growing scrutiny after US prosecutors charged the mayor of Arcadia, California with acting on behalf of Beijing. Similar cases have emerged across the US, UK, Australia and the Philippines, raising concerns about how China cultivates influence through politics, business, media and community networks. Democratic societies are now responding with tougher laws, foreign agent registration systems and expanded counter-interference measures. But are these efforts enough to keep pace with increasingly sophisticated influence operations? In this episode, we examine the patterns behind China’s alleged proxy networks, how countries are responding and what lessons Taiwan’s long experience confronting infiltration and information warfare may offer other democracies.

*Recorded on May 21, 2026 at 1:30pm Taiwan Standard Time

Host: Wen-Ti Sung
Producer: Chinyeh Chiang

Our guests:

Christina Chen
- Institute for National Defense and Security Research (INDSR) Assistant Research Fellow
Michael Chen
- Democratic Progressive Party International Affairs Director

Chapters:
00:00:00 – US, Allies Crack Down on Chinese Spies
00:01:38 – Beijing’s Cross-National Espionage
00:11:18 – Democracies Move To Resist
00:17:52 – Taiwan’s Counter-Espionage Efforts





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