Domestic Politics

Answer

Supporting Evidence

It is common for local politicians being invited to the "united front groups", which means trips that are free of charge once they land on China. The major united front event Straits Forum has been providing free reception to the Taiwanese participants since it was founded in 2009. Many local leaders of villages and communities has recruited by the Taiwan Affairs Office system after the implementation of the “26 incentives", to join different kinds of free reception tourist groups, or even be recruited to the positions of community building in Pingtan Comprehensive Experimental Zone. Under the "one generation one frontline" policy, the Taiwanese community leaders are offered many resources. They can easily participate in all kinds of visit groups, and can also bring their community to travel to China in a very low price. In the research of IORG, it is common that the economic incentives provided by China can affect individuals who own a neutral political stand.

1. https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/politics/paper/1206654
2. https://www.twreporter.org/a/2020-election-chief-of-village-party-united-front-china
3. https://iorg.tw/r/d3

Answered by Lee Penghsuan, and has been reviewed by Chen Yu-jie

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://archive.ph/wip/TsNBp
2. https://archive.ph/wip/XDrEb
3. https://archive.ph/wip/ZILFz
4. https://archive.ph/wip/vRghf

Answered by Nathan Attrill, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

In a forthcoming research paper I have identified at least 22 groups of Kyrgyz government employees who took paid trips in the context of a training program to PRC funded by MOC or MPS. In 2013 to 2018 alone, over 750 Kyrgyz government officials have been trained in China.

1. http://kabar.kg/news/gossluzhashchie-kyrgyzstana-proshli-obuchenie-v-kitae/

Answered by Niva Yau, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili and Mariam Usenashvili

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Beijing announced it would invite 1,000 young African politicians for trainings in China in 2016, including from the ANC that regularly attends workshops in China and has modelled some of its party trainings on the CCP.

1. https://qz.com/africa/1119447/china-is-training-africas-next-generation-of-leaders/

Answered by Amanda Strydom, and has been reviewed by Chris Roper and Joyce Lin

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Córdoba advances in agreements with Chinese authorities (reference 1). Gerardo Morales will visit China to strengthen economic and cultural ties (reference 2). Strada traveled to China in search of financing for Agua Negra (reference 3). Several Argentinian politician have made trips to the PRC invited by the country or Chinese entities. Some of the examples are the governor of Jujuy, the representatives of San Juan and Córdoba, among others.

1. https://prensa.cba.gov.ar/informacion-general/cordoba-avanza-en-acuerdos-con-autoridades-chinas/
2. https://www.telam.com.ar/notas/201805/283755-el-gobernador-morales-viaja-a-china-para-fortalecer-los-lazos-economicos-y-culturales.html
3. https://www.diariodecuyo.com.ar/politica/Strada-viajo-a-China-en-busca-de-financiamiento-para-Agua-Negra-20140311-0020.html

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 2 anonymous experts.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

There is official data that backups the funding of PRC sponsored trips to China and the objectives of these trips. There is also proof of these trips impacting local politicians’ views on the PRC. This is a good question to measure influence and soft power from a practical view.

1. https://www.camara.cl/transparencia/listadodeviajes.aspx
2. https://www.leylobby.gob.cl/instituciones/CT001/cargos-pasivos/166548/viajes
3. https://pcchile.cl/historico/2019/08/23/comunicado-publico-visita-a-china-de-parlamentarios-pc/
4. https://dialogopolitico.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/DP-Enfoque.-Cardenal.-2021.-The-art-of-making-friends.pdf

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://andina.pe/agencia/noticia-cooperacion-entre-china-y-america-latina-avanza-a-un-ritmo-vertiginoso-710820.aspx
2. http://eprints.lse.ac.uk/101565/1/Mendez_la_conexi_n_china_en_la_Pol_tica_Exterior_del_Per_en_el_Siglo_XXI_published.pdf

Supplementary Notes

Politicians related to different parties in Peru have been invited by PRC to China in order to see economic advancements.

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Trips by government and military officials from Venezuela to the PRC paid for by PRC-connected individuals or entities have been commonplace for over a decade.

1. https://efectococuyo.com/politica/diosdado-cabello-viaja-a-china-donde-se-reune-con-funcionarios-del-partido-comunista/
2. https://form.chinaindex.citw.io/edit.php?t=country_5&id=25
3. http://www.tsj.gob.ve/-/presidente-del-tsj-inicia-visita-oficial-a-china-para-afianzar-lazos-de-cooperacion-judicial

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Vietnam and China have a complicated relationship. Although, in fact that, there are some trouble related to territorial disputes, security concerns, and geopolitical competition. Vietnam still need to balance and keep goodwill diplomatic with China. In general, Vietnam and China have close relationship and have a deeply rooted diplomatic history. In January 1950, the PRC became the first country to formally recognize the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The two sides formalized neighborly relations under the principles of “friendly Sino-Vietnam relations for peace, stability and prosperity.” For many years until now, China has been Vietnam's largest trading partner. There are a lot of trips taking by politicians from both countries: 1. On the morning of July 8, Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan led a high-ranking delegation for an official visit to the PRC from July 8 to 12 at the invitation. by the Chief Commissioner of the National People's Congress (Ren Dai) of China Li Zhanshu. This trip may be funded by PRC because it stated that a high-rank politicant of PRC invited Vietnamese Chairwoman of National Assembly to take a visit to PRCSee the first link. 2. The link below showed the list of trips that the former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung take to China: see the second link. 3. The most recently new is that Minister of National Defense of PRC took a trip to visit government/politicians in Vietnam: see the third link.

1. http://baochinhphu.vn/Tin-noi-bat/Chu-tich-Quoc-hoi-tham-chinh-thuc-Trung-Quoc/370156.vgp
2. http://nguyentandung.chinhphu.vn/Home/chuyen-tham-trung-quoc-chinh-thuc.vgp
3. https://nld.com.vn/thoi-su/bo-truong-phan-van-giang-don-bo-quoc-phong-trung-quoc-tham-viet-nam-20210425174557345.htm

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by PSA Team

Answer

Supporting Evidence

See below links.

1. https://www.minnpost.com/political-agenda/2011/10/lt-gov-prettner-solon-heads-china-trade-mission/
2. https://usheartlandchina.org/delegations/fall-2019-mayors-delegation-to-china/

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by PSA Team

Answer

Supporting Evidence

This is an widespread phenomenon.

Answered by Didi Kirsten Tatlow, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

They travel to China within the frames of FOCAC which is supported by the Secretariat of the Chinese Follow-up Committee of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. The Office of the Secretariat of the Chinese FOCAC Follow-up Committee is set up in the Department of African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the PRC. Link “Exchanges and cooperation in health, culture, education and journalism between the two countries continued to grow. The Ministry of Health, Ministry of Higher Education and Ministry of State for Antiquities of Egypt sent representatives to participate in activities such as the China-Africa Ministerial Conference on Health Cooperation and Development, the Second China-Arab States University Presidents' Forum and the China-Arab States National Museum Curators' Forum. China and Egypt signed a number of cooperation agreements on the development of agricultural information network, high-quality hybrid rice and the prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis. China Taoist Orchestra was invited to the sixth International Festival for Choir and Spiritual Music in Egypt. Egyptian news media delegations and non-governmental diplomatic delegations visited China, which further strengthened media cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.” Link THE FIFTH MINISTERIAL CONFERENCE OF THE FORUM ON CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION BEIJING ACTION PLAN (2013-2015) "To enhance cooperation with Africa on peace and security issues, the Chinese side will launch the "Initiative on China-Africa Cooperative Partnership for Peace and Security" and will provide, within the realm of its capabilities, financial and technical support to the African Union for its peace-support operations, the development of the African Peace and Security Architecture, personnel exchanges and training in the field of peace and security and Africa's conflict prevention, management and resolution and post-conflict reconstruction and development." Link Report by State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi At the Eighth Ministerial Conference of Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Link

1. http://www.focac.org/eng/ltjj_3/zfhxxdwyh/
2. https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/wjb_663304/zzjg_663340/xybfs_663590/gjlb_663594/2813_663616/
3. http://www.focac.org/eng/zywx_1/zywj/201207/t20120723_8079762.htm
4. http://losangeles.china-consulate.org/eng/topnews/202112/t20211203_10461918.htm

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili

Answer

Supporting Evidence

The PRC offers a lot of training to government officials.

1. https://cocorioko.net/seminar-on-chinas-economic-development-practices-for-sierra-leone-ends-in-beijing/
2. https://www.awarenesstimes.com/drwebsite/publish/article_200530898.html

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

There are indications that there is a growing partnership between the CCP and Ghana's political actors. There are regular trips by government officials to China

1. https://mfa.gov.gh/index.php/the-minister-for-foreign-affairs-and-regional-integration-hon-shirley-ayorkor-botchwey-pays-official-visit-to-china/
2. http://gh.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/dszl/dsjh/201509/t20150909_6894149.htm

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Interview with government officials suggests that a section of government employees and/or politicians (particularly from the ruling party - CCM) have benefited from paid study tours to China

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Interview with media officer at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suggests this is a common currency in the Gambian.

1. https://www.africanews.com/2017/12/23/gambia-s-barrow-visits-china-to-strengthen-ties-and-development-cooperation/
2. https://www.facebook.com/396670833862610/posts/moici-and-mainstream-media-officials-return-from-chinathe-peoples-republic-of-ch/803013939894962/

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://archive.ph/u9pHL
2. https://archive.ph/kZY0W

Answered by Nathan Attrill, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Trips are few but significant because Singaporean officials’ comments are used to broadcast support for the PRC’s positions both domestically and internationally.

1. https://amp.economist.com/china/2021/08/07/chinas-efforts-to-lift-xinjiangs-economy-may-smother-it?__twitter_impression=true
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20200101010000/http://wap.xjdaily.com/xjrb/20210629/177030.html

Supplementary Notes

Not to my knowledge when it comes to political appointees in the executive branch. Singapore tends to be quite strict regarding political office holders. However, what ruling party backbenchers do is less known, do to the opacity of Singapore's political system. Some backbenchers apparently travel to China for work, since legislators are part-time in Singapore. Some of these trips may be paid for by their companies or China-based business partners. It remains to be seen whether any of such contact becomes salient, however.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Georgia's former Ambassador to China, David Aptsiauri, who was rather popular during his service years in China as well. In March 2018, the Chinese news agency, Home and Abroad News Press, awarded him "Man of the Year in the News." Currently, Mr. Aptsiauri serves as a researcher at the Levan Mikeladze Diplomatic Training and Research Institute affiliated with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Georgia. According to their Facebook page, Mr. Aptsiauri keeps visiting China as an invited professor at the Beijing University of International Business and Economics. He also researches the Silk Road Initiative as a model of global economic cooperation. Additionally, he was invited to the Shandong University of Finance and Economics and the Cintao International Business and Economics University (Shandong Province) where he gave presentations and lectures to Chinese and foreign scholars and researchers, PhD and master͛s students from Europe and students from Yemen, Asia, Latin America, Africa and Georgia. Link

1. https://www.facebook.com/DTRIGeorgia/posts/1601815673289279
2. https://civicidea.ge/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Tinatin-Khidashedli-China-Report.pdf

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili and Tinatin Khidasheli

Answer

Supporting Evidence

For example, according to the Vremya newspaper, the management of the Kazakhstan branch of Huawei requires employees to establish close ties (give gifts, organize joint dinners, fishing, travel to China) with employees of government agencies and national companies responsible for procurement of goods and services. Link

1. https://inbusiness.kz/ru/author_news/kakie-riski-dlya-kazahstana-neset-sotrudnichestvo-s-kitaem

Answered by Tatiana Sedova, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://www.files.ethz.ch/isn/32303/Political%20Warfare%20Sub-Saharah.pdf

Answered by Eromosele John Aitokhuehi, and has been reviewed by Lekan Otufodunrin

Answer

Supporting Evidence

In 2019, there were two trips by representatives of the legislative power from Brazil to China, with expenses paid by the Chinese government. A delegation of senators visited Huawei. The delegation of PSL deputies (supporters of the Bolsonaro government) represented a step on the part of the Chinese government towards closer ties with Brazil, despite the alignment of these deputies with the Brazilian foreign policy agenda of Bolsonaro of closer ties with the United States.

1. https://legis.senado.leg.br/diarios/ver/102062?sequencia=31&sequenciaFinal=40
2. https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/mercado/2019/01/bancada-do-psl-vai-a-china-importar-sistema-que-reconhece-rosto-de-cidadaos.shtml

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 2 anonymous experts.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

NPC has also invited members of Uruguay's political parties to visit China.

1. http://en.people.cn/90883/8278220.html

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 2 anonymous experts.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://www.proceso.com.mx/nacional/2019/4/24/viajaron-china-yeidckol-polevnsky-gerardo-fernandez-norona-223850.html
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20220322072338/https://pri.org.mx/ElPartidoDeMexico/SaladePrensa/Nota.aspx?y=24604

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

See below link.

1. https://www.jiji.com/jc/graphics?p=ve_pol_doubt-ircorruption-fundflow

Answered by Maiko Ichihara, and has been reviewed by PSA Team

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Ruling party PDP-Laban made an agreement with the Communist Party of China to send party officials and members to China for policy training and party education. Then Senate President Aquilino Pimentel III, along with other members of PDP-Laban, attended the CPC provincial party school in Fujian. Since 2016 to present, they have also attended several gatherings of CPC-allied parties in China. This is the first formalized party-to-party relationship between the Philippines and PRC.

1. https://globalnation.inquirer.net/158865/pdp-laban-learn-ideology-communist-party-china
2. https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1088178
3. https://www.iseas.edu.sg/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/ISEAS_Perspective_2021_53.pdf

Supplementary Notes

No accessible data available

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

European Parliament EU-China Friendship Group member Yana Toom visited Beijing and Lhasa in August 2016 and the travel bill was picked up by CPAFFC. In November 2019, Toom visited Beijing and Shanghai to attend China-CEEC governing parties roundtable and the promotion symposium on China-CEEC subnational cooperation. This time her bill was picked up by the ILD.

1. https://www.politico.eu/article/china-influence-european-parliament-friendship-group/
2. https://www.europarl.europa.eu/mepdat/124700_TRAV_LEG9_1005488_EN.pdf
3. https://sinopsis.cz/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ep.pdf
4. https://web.archive.org/web/20190827185701/https://www.europarl.europa.eu/ep-dat/124700_20-08-2016.pdf

Answered by Frank Jüris, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Due to the pandemic, traveling to Poland during the period covered by this report was very limited and Polish politicians communicated online. However, such trips were organized in previous years.

1. https://archive.vn/pxo71
2. https://web.archive.org/web/20201006145922/http://www.sejm.gov.pl/Sejm8.nsf/komunikat.xsp?documentId=2BBBCDAA73165783C1258043002A9372
3. https://archive.vn/selhs
4. https://archive.vn/mIlst
5. ttps://archive.vn/lpNdU

Supplementary Notes

Link it was the fifth edition of the trip. the traveling costs in previous editions were paid by the chancellery of sejm, the local expenses were covered by the Chinese side Link the fourth edition in 2018 Link in 2019 former polish president Bronisław Komorowski attended the 2019一乡一品国际商品博览会 Link year earlier he was invited to Taihu World Cultural Forum (太湖世界文化论坛) and iFlytec Link He was invited by the PRC connected entities However to preserve the consistency with the findings and grading by other experts covering other countries the same methodology allowing the substitution of grading based on evidence for 2019 or 2019 and 2018. ,

1. https://archive.vn/pxo71
2. https://www.sejm.gov.pl/sejm8.nsf/komunikat.xsp?documentid=2bbbcdaa73165783c1258043002a9372
3. https://archive.vn/selhs
4. https://archive.vn/mIlst
5. https://archive.vn/lpNdU

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Some MPs have been on such trips. In 2014, Sir Geoffrey Clifton Brown travelled to China and met members of an environment think tank, China Telecom Corporation Limited and visited two major universities. In April 2018, Conservative MP Richard Graham visited Hong Kong “to support the bilateral relationship and business development between UK and Hong Kong, and to gain understanding of Hong Kong's political, social and economic development.” The trip was donated by the Hong Kong Government and paid for in part by the International Liaison Department of the Chinese Communist Party (IDCPC).

1. https://www.wiltsglosstandard.co.uk/news/11262895.cotswold-mp-defends-trip-to-china-paid-for-by-chinese-communists/
2. https://www.theyworkforyou.com/regmem/?d=2018-04-30#24921

Answered by Sam Hogg, and has been reviewed by Martin Thorley

Answer

Supporting Evidence

En el primer enlace, se deja constancia de los viajes más recientes de diputados costarricenses a la RPC, pero eso sucedió durante los últimos cuatro periodos legislativos, después del establecimiento de relaciones diplomáticas (2007). También viajaron en numerosas ocasiones representantes del partido más grande y tradicional de Costa Rica, el Partido Liberación Nacional (PLN). En el segundo enlace, se hace referencia al viaje de empleados de la gran empresa estatal de energía y telecomunicaciones de Costa Rica, que tiene el monopolio de la producción y comercialización de electricidad, el Instituto Costarricense de Electricidad (ICE).

1. https://bit.ly/3MECuVw
2. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3OtMjrvHHg

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Aunque figuras políticas del partido gobernante han visitado China es difícil establecer hasta qué punto se trata de una campaña para influenciar a la clase política.

1. https://bit.ly/3N6JeMa

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

The URL1 below is an official statement from the Party of Socialists about a visit to PRC and about their cooperation the Chinese Communist Party. It happened back in 2017, when the Moldovan Socialists were still in opposition. They later came to power in 2019-2021 and continued their frequent contacts with PRC officials

1. https://socialistii.md/delegatia-psrm-efectueaza-o-vizita-in-china/
2. https://www.parlament.md/Actualitate/Comunicatedepresa/tabid/90/ContentId/5359/language/ro-RO/Default.aspx

Supplementary Notes

There some trips by Russia-leaning politicians to the PRC before the pandemic, but not during the period of interest for this index. And even for those trips, we could ascertain whether they had been payed for by PRC or PRC-owned companies

Answered by Eugen Muravschi, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

as one of Indonesia’s biggest trading partner, the PRC government often invite and provide an all-expenses paid invitation to Indonesian politicians to visit PRC to conduct training and idea exchanges with PRC

1. https://www.tribunnews.com/nasional/2012/03/17/beredar-rumor-bbm-naik-sby-ajak-pengurus-knpi-ke-china

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

• No supporting evidence found. • Based on the close ties between the UMNO and the CPC, it is more likely that politicians from the UMNO party have/had taken trips to PRC et al. but no evidence found online. Some links about their joint commitment, cooperation in the additional notes. Official visits are there but info regarding politicians trips are difficult to trace. • CPC, UMNO vow to promote China-Malaysia ties: Tengku Adnan said that UMNO is willing to deepen communication between the two parties and boost pragmatic cooperation between the two countries in all fields. Link CPC, UMNO vow to advance ties between China, Malaysia: …China is willing to strengthen exchanges between the two ruling parties and deepen mutually beneficial cooperation between China and Malaysia to push forward?bilateral ties, Song said…. Link

1. https://www.idcpc.org.cn/english/news/201512/t20151211_79886.html
2. https://www.idcpc.org.cn/english/news/201604/t20160412_81801.html

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

"China Women's University (CWU) launched an opening ceremony for the Seminar on Social Management Capability Building for Female Officials from Developing Countries, on April 11, 2018. The 15-day seminar, which had received great support from the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and the Academy for International Business Officials (AIBO) from the Ministry of Commerce, drew the attendance of 28 female officials from Uganda, Ghana, Palestine, South Sudan, Lebanon, Iraq, Grenada and Uzbekistan.SCO Forum on Women's Education and Poverty Reduction Held in Beijing - All-China Women's Federation (ACWF), in collaboration with the Commission of Good-Neighborliness, Friendship and Cooperation of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (GNFCC SCO) and the Secretariat of the SCO, held the SCO Forum on Women's Education and Poverty Reduction in Beijing on July 20, 2021. Approximately 200 participants attended the forum. International guests included diplomats from SCO countries, Zambia, Lebanon, Guyana and various international organizations." Link

1. https://www.womenofchina.cn/womenofchina/html1/special/cwu/1805/1917-1.htm

Supplementary Notes

Trips are taking both on party level and on government level especially from 2015.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili

Answer

Supporting Evidence

There is no evidence for recent paid visits in PRC, however the practice from the past shows that several Albanian delegations have been invited to visit PRC on expenses paid by PRC government for meetings. Previous visits (before 2020) in PRC by politicians and government employees include: Link and: Link , and: Linkë-takim-delegacionin-zyrtar-nga-qyteti-kinez-i-ningbo While there is no explicit statement that trips have been paid for by the PRC embassy, we have confirmed that this really is the case with several participants on such visits, who told us that the PRC Embassy funds the cost of trips, as well as providing a daily allowance.

1. https://arsimi.gov.al/vizita-ne-kine-nga-delegacioni-shqiptar-i-nivelit-te-larte-arsimor-i-kryesuar-nga-sekretari-i-pergjithshem-i-ministrise-se-arsimit-sportit-dhe-rinise-me-qellim-krijimin-e-bashkepunimeve-te-reja-dypal/
2. https://kohajone.com/deputete-shqiptare-vizite-ne-kine/
3. https://www.durres.gov.al/bashkia/zyra-e-shtypit/540-kryebashkiaku-vangjush-dako-pret-në-takim-delegacionin-zyrtar-nga-qyteti-kinez-i-ningbo

Answered by Edval Zoto, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

During the Republic regime, the PRC has invited many officials for training programs to the PRC. See below 4 & 5 for more evidence.

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://www.geopolitica.info/china-ukraine/

Supplementary Notes

Also in interview with expert

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/FP_20200519_playing_with_fire.pdf
2. https://sinopsis.cz/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/it0.pdf

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Sorin Ionita

Answer

Supporting Evidence

President Serzh Sargsyan, who has paid a state visit to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), today held a meeting with PRC President Xi Jinping at China National Convention Center.

1. https://www.president.am/en/press-release/item/2015/03/25/President-Serzh-Sargsyan-state-visit-to-China-day-1/

Answered by Artak Kyurumyan, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili and Mariam Usenashvili

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://www.the-star.co.ke/counties/north-eastern/2016-06-02-embu-residents-say-mcas-trip-to-china-a-waste-of-money/

Answered by Cathy Wamaitha, and has been reviewed by Allan Cheboi

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Colombian congressmen and women have been invited to China for specialized paid visits on relevant topics, like technology. It is notable, however, that these politicians have done much to minimize the impact of the trip. Colombian media also did not cover these visits in a major way. Other than congressmen and women, other kinds of politicians (mayors, ministers, etc.) have not been found to be invited for paid visits.

1. https://twitter.com/horaciojserpa/status/1087355581818646528?lang=da
2. https://www.eltiempo.com/politica/congreso/que-hace-alejandro-chacon-expresidente-de-la-camara-en-china-379246

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Yes, but most trips are still paid by the Czech state.

1. https://denikn.cz/241261/bis-cinsti-spioni-pritvrdili-verbuji-v-cesku-agenty-uredniky-i-akademiky-lakaji-na-zajezdy/
2. https://www.pressreader.com/czech-republic/respekt/20180618/282265256145659

Answered by Tobiáš Lipold and 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Martin Hála

Answer

Supporting Evidence

This used to be the case before 2017, however after the 2017 Doklam military clash, this is not the case anymore.

1. https://www.sundayguardianlive.com/news/communist-chinas-influence-operations-indias-think-tanks-politicians-intellectuals-academia-media-targets

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Junket trips for local and national politicians are known to have occurred. (see below URL)

1. http://www.amo.cz/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Mapinfluence-policy-paper-SK.pdf

Answered by , and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Yes politicians or government employees have taken trips to the PRC - all expenses paid. During the pandemic there was no such trips. Attached are links to some before the pandemic.

1. https://cri.org.bd/2016/06/20/cri-facilitates-youth-politicians-tour-of-china/
2. http://english.imde.cas.cn/ne/events/201812/t20181211_202183.html
3. http://www.crecg.com/english/2691/2743/10074899/index.html

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

This has definitely been occurring before the pandemic on the local government level, as during the most active period of subnational cooperation in 2012–2019 there were at least six visits by the members of the Association of Local Authorities in Lithuania to China, including mayors or their deputies from at least a dozen Lithuanian municipalities. The composition of such visits strongly suggests that at least part of the costs was paid by the Chinese counterparts. None of this, however, has led to any tangible results of note. There has been no publicly available data on visits since the start of the pandemic and the Sino-Lithuanian bilateral relationship crisis.

1. https://www.eesc.lt/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/RESC.-Lithuanias-decoupling-from-China_2021_EN.pdf

Answered by Konstantinas Andrijauskas, and has been reviewed by Vida Macikenaite and Linas Didvalis

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://www.iltalehti.fi/politiikka/a/18ff9c0f-77ee-45ff-a1d7-641ca1db4044

Answered by Richard Turcsányi, and has been reviewed by another 2 anonymous experts.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://www.eluniverso.com/noticias/politica/presidente-guillermo-lasso-viajara-a-china-con-una-comitiva-de-diez-personas-nota/
2. http://www.ecuadorchequea.com/china-costeara-la-estadia-de-la-comitiva-ecuatoriana-en-visita-oficial/

Supplementary Notes

En 2020, 2021, no se reportan viajes que pudieran ser cercanos a este indicador (por ejemplo, viajes por capacitación, encuentro académicos o de visita para conocer el sistema económico político), debido a la pandemia. Los viajes oficiales han sido costeados por parte del gobierno del Ecuador (ver enlace 1, y enlace 2); aunque se reporta en el enlace 2, una información contradictoria, donde el último viaje de presidente ecuatoriano tendría también algún tipo de cobertura del gobierno anfitrión (enlace 2).

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

It is likely that such trips have been organized, but there is no public information available. If so, they probably involve low level politicians or officials. One exception is Victor Ponta, MP and leader of PSD party, who in 2006 organized his wedding in Beijing. After 2010 he would become Prime minister.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Sorin Ionita

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Only one case found, and it looks more like young political leaders.

1. https://www.articulo66.com/2022/02/08/gobierno-envia-primer-grupo-becarios-china/

Answered by Hernan Alberro, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No Evidence Found.

Answered by Umedjon Majidi, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No evidence to include

Answered by Jean Githae, and has been reviewed by Tolera Gemta

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No evidence

Answered by Christian Ngnie, and has been reviewed by Fadel Thior

Answer

Not Found

Supplementary Notes

Answered by Eloisa Larrea Montaño, and has been reviewed by another 2 anonymous experts.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Not Found

1. http://www.apachin.org/conozcanos/visitantes-de-la-republica-popular-de-china/

Supplementary Notes

A list of Paraguayan politicians who visited the PRC between 1989 and 2008 is published on the internet. However, the origin of the funds for carrying out this type of trip is not specified.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 2 anonymous experts.

Answer

Not Found

Supplementary Notes

I’m 90% sure that we have fairly many politicians (government officials? I am not sure) have been China with Chinese fund. But I scored 0, because I cannot find the sources. Chinese did this in a covert way.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by PSA Team

Answer

Not Found

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by PSA Team

Answer

Supporting Evidence

There is no data that would prove or deny that PRC-connected individuals or entities paid the trips of the politicians in Bosnia in Herzegovina. Also, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there haven’t been official trips or visits, and all international meetings and summits were held online.

Answered by Tobiáš Lipold, Amina Celikovic, Selma Asceric, Darko Brkan, Emir Velic, Semir Dzebo, Aldin Karahasanovic, Emir Muric and 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No evidence found.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili

Answer

Not Found

Supplementary Notes

There is no information on visits paid for by PRC-connected individuals or entities in the public domain. There are a lot of high profile mutual visits, but they are organized as official state trips, with all of the accompanying logistics and protocols. In light of this, there does not seem to be many reason for trips that would be paid for by the PRC side – all the lobbying and policy coordination can be carried out during official trips. However, while there is no evidence of trips paid for by PRC-connected individuals or entities, this does not mean that they have not occurred.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No direct evidence found.

Answered by Farkhad Tolipov, and has been reviewed by Salome Svanidze

Answer

Supporting Evidence

But possible in this case. (see below URL)

1. https://www.lindependant.fr/2022/03/03/un-depute-lrem-epingle-pour-ses-liens-avec-le-pouvoir-chinois-10146091.php

Answered by Filip Noubel, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

In general, there is a pattern, whereby politicians of certain parties (particularly the Bulgarian Socialist Party) are more likely to make trips to China, which was especially the case in 2013/2014 when the BSP was in power. However, there isn't information available regarding the financial details of Bulgarian politicians' visits to China.

Supplementary Notes

In general, there is a pattern, whereby politicians of certain parties (particularly the Bulgarian Socialist Party) are more likely to make trips to China, which was especially the case in 2013/2014 when the BSP was in power. However, there isn't information available regarding the financial details of Bulgarian politicians' visits to China.

Answered by Rumena Filipova and Mirela Petkova, and has been reviewed by Matej Šimalčík

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Representatives of several Austrian states have taken trips to the PRC in recent years, notably from Styria to Shanghai and Foshan (Guangdong) in 2017, from Burgenland to Shanghai and Hunan in 2018, from Upper-Austria to Shandong in 2019, as well as from Lower-Austria to Zhejiang and Shanghai in 2019. However, these there are no indications that these trips have been paid for by PRC entities.

1. https://www.heute.at/s/mikl-leitner-mit-delegation-aus-no-auf-china-besuch-55146548
2. https://www.tips.at/nachrichten/linz/wirtschaft-politik/484431-land-ooe-sucht-neue-chancen-in-china
3. https://www.kommunikation.steiermark.at/cms/beitrag/12577138/29767960/
4. https://burgenland.orf.at/v2/news/stories/2917845/

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by Alfred Gerstl

Answer

Supporting Evidence

There is no evidence for this claim.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Alfred Gerstl

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No evidence exists to suggest otherwise.

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by Richard Turcsányi

Answer

Not Found

Supplementary Notes

There have been no such cases reported in the media and our interlocutors cannot recall any instances. However, there is a slight chance that this might have happened with lower ranked or local municipal politicians and has gone under the radar.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

unlikely to find concrete evidence that it’s “paid for”

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No sources found and it seems unlikely

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Sorin Ionita

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No Evidence Found.

Answered by Gubad Ibadoghlu and Vusal Guliyev, and has been reviewed by Ani Kintsurashvili

Answer

Supporting Evidence

No evidence found.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by Salome Svanidze

Answer

Supporting Evidence

There has been some paid trips to leaders of PP but it dates back to 2013.

Answered by Hernan Alberro, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Princess Maha Chakri Sririndhod frequently visits China as the representative of Thai state. Princess Sririndhod and Princess Chulaporn have always been symbols of the relationship between Thailand and PRC. Even during the time of the Winter Olympic boycott, Princess Sririndhod continued her schedule to attend Winter Olympic opening ceremony. Although the princess not be considered a politician, however, Thai royal house plays a crucial role in Thai political history. Link Link

1. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/2258451/princess-to-attend-beijing-opener
2. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202107/1228416.shtml

Supplementary Notes

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Getting info about such trips funded by PRC is difficult. Based on the research visits/trips by CPP politicians is more likely which may be few but entails more impact as it is the ruling party.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supplementary Notes

While no evidence could be found to confirm that such trips have taken place, it seems likely that they have, but that the information regarding who financed them has not been made public.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://fosmedia.me/arhiva/infos/drustvo/crnogorska-delegacija-u-kini-projekti-za-odrzivu-buducnost-podgorice

Supplementary Notes

There is no evidence that trips to China have been paid for by PRC related entities or individuals, but we believe that this is likely to have been the case in some instances.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supplementary Notes

According to expert's knowledge, within the network of 16+1 cooperation, some small municipal trips have been organized but the public record is not available of such kind of events.

Answered by Una Berzina-Cherenkova, and has been reviewed by Salome Svanidze

Answer

Supporting Evidence

While this does not receive widespread attention, it is noteworthy that within Zambia itself, politicians are usually feted by Chinese individuals and entities and plied with gifts. This is usually done as a subtle way of China extracting positive responses in situations when Chinese individuals and entities have to vie for tenders with competitors

Supplementary Notes

This has been done for politicians in the ruling party. For example, when Bowman Lusambo was Minister of Lusaka Province he went to China for the 3rd Western China Public Procurement Conference during the 17th Western China International Fair being held in Chengdu, Sichuan Province. For more: Link

1. https://www.lusakatimes.com/2018/10/07/lusambo-wants-a-china-town-where-all-chinese-nationals-will-conduct-their-businesses-in-lusaka/

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

NA

Supplementary Notes

expert note: I haven’t included evidence/links to media articles because there are no articles on these issues (to my knowledge), however I know about these from private sources, own experience (I am dealing with China for a bit more than 20 years, spent some time in public administration, work as a researchers for many years, etc. - I simply hear/see/experience things).

Answered by 2 anonymous experts, and has been reviewed by Kristína Kironská

Answer

Supporting Evidence

1. https://kede.gr/synantisi-g-patouli-me-to-proedreio-tis-enosis-filias-tis-kinas-me-laous-xenon-choron/

Supplementary Notes

No related details are reported, but it is not inconceivable that politicians, e.g. from local authorities, would avail themselves of invitations and paid-for travel to China. For instance, the president of the Greek Union of Local Authorities visited China in 2017, though it is not clear who covered his travel and accommodation expenses (see the URL above).

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.

Answer

Supporting Evidence

Pakistan and China have a patron-client relationship. As a creditor and a financier, China helps keep Pakistani economy afloat. So while it may not directly fund many "official" trips, the budget is indirectly financed by PRC.

1. https://www.ft.com/content/6250c214-cfdc-4b4f-85b3-876666d01ff4

Supplementary Notes

Skipping this question because of a lack of evidence to support well established public perception that PRC and Chinese entities sponsor strips of politicians and govt officials in an attempt to promote China's interests in Pakistan.

Answered by 1 anonymous expert, and has been reviewed by another 1 anonymous expert.