Part 8/17:
The CCP's influence extends into economic sectors via shell companies and startups linked to mainland China. These entities serve as tools for economic influence, technology transfer, and even espionage. Camarina highlights the role of Chinese shell companies operating overseas—particularly in sectors like software and biotech—that act as conduits for intelligence collection or economic destabilization.
A significant facet of this clandestine activity is the use of overseas Chinese tech startups, which often have deep links to the Chinese government. These companies provide a bridge for technological espionage, intellectual property theft, and even the suppression of dissident voices through technological means.