Part 7/17:
Beyond organizations, the CCP also exerts influence through individual operatives, including students, tech employees, and diaspora members. These individuals are cultivated for access to sensitive information—academic, technological, or governmental—serving as low-profile agents of influence or espionage.
University student organizations and soft power networks can operate stealthily, providing the CCP with a pipeline of influence within academia and technology sectors. These actors may undertake tasks such as translation, document processing, or providing logistical support for covert operations. Sometimes, they are involved in activities aimed at silencing dissidents or discouraging anti-CCP sentiment abroad.