Who’s on China’s Payroll?

Under the federal Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), lobbyists and others in the U.S. who represent foreign interests and engage in political activities must register with the federal government. According to FARA registrations from 2016 to 2020, Chinese interests have spent $143 million on influence activities in America.

Some major companies are representing Chinese companies and the Chinese government. We’ve listed them below. Under China’s communist system, there is no clear line between private companies and the ruling communist government. Companies are subservient to the Chinese Communist Party.

Note: Only political or quasi-political activities are covered under FARA. For instance, the Chinese government-funded Confucius Institutes and Confucius Classrooms, which have popped up at more than 600 schools and universities, are not covered under FARA. Nor are controlled radio or television stations that broadcast Chinese government propaganda or the Chinese spin on the news.

$143 million is the tip of the iceberg.

FARA Data

Source: Open Secrets/FARA records