China's rise as a global power has been a subject of great interest and debate in recent years. While the country has experienced rapid economic growth and expanded its influence on the world stage, there are concerns about the hidden agenda of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and how it may be reshaping the world in its own image.

With over 90 million members, the CCP is the largest political party in the world. Its rise to power in 1949 under the leadership of Chairman Mao Zedong marked a significant turning point in Chinese history. Initially focused on national unity and social transformation, the party's ideology has evolved over the decades, and so has its goals.

Today, the CCP seeks not only to maintain its grip on power within China but also to extend its influence globally. Through the Belt and Road Initiative, an ambitious infrastructure project that aims to connect China with the rest of the world, the party is effectively reshaping the global economic order. By investing in ports, railways, and other key infrastructure projects in developing countries, China is expanding its reach and gaining leverage over other nations.

Hidden Hand: Exposing How the Chinese Communist Party is Reshaping the World

by Bree Picower (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

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However, the CCP's ambitions go far beyond economic dominance. The party's strict control over information and its extensive surveillance apparatus have raised concerns about human rights abuses and the erosion of individual freedoms. Under President Xi Jinping, China has adopted a more assertive foreign policy, challenging established norms and institutions.

One such example is China's encroachment on the South China Sea. The CCP has built artificial islands and claimed vast areas of the sea, despite the protests of neighboring countries and the international community. This aggressive behavior threatens not only regional stability but also the freedom of navigation in one of the world's busiest waterways.

Another area where the CCP is exerting its influence is in the realm of technology. Through companies like Huawei, China is becoming a major player in the development and implementation of 5G technology. This raises concerns about the potential for espionage and the CCP's ability to gather sensitive information from countries that adopt this technology.

Furthermore, the CCP's propaganda machine is working tirelessly to shape global narratives and silence dissenting voices. Chinese state media outlets like Xinhua and China Global Television Network (CGTN) are increasingly promoting a positive image of China while downplaying or ignoring human rights abuses and other negative aspects of the party's rule.

With its massive economic power and growing military capabilities, China has the ability to shape the world in ways that align with its own interests. This has led to a growing debate about how democratic nations should respond to the CCP's rise and assertiveness. Some argue for a more confrontational approach, while others advocate for engagement and cooperation.

Regardless of the strategies employed, it is crucial for the international community to be aware of the CCP's ambitions and tactics. Transparency and an open discussion about China's influence are essential to ensure that the values and principles that underpin the current global order are not compromised.

In , the Chinese Communist Party's rise to power and its subsequent efforts to reshape the world have far-reaching implications. From its ambitious infrastructure projects to its assertive foreign policy and expanding technological influence, the CCP is leaving its mark on the global stage. It is up to the international community to remain vigilant and ensure that the CCP's actions do not undermine the principles of freedom, democracy, and human rights that are cherished by many.

Hidden Hand: Exposing How the Chinese Communist Party is Reshaping the World

by Bree Picower (Kindle Edition)

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	8820 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Print length	:	542 pages

FREE

Headline: The Globe and Mail:

Legal challenge halts Canadian, U.S. and U.K. release of book critical of Chinese Communist Party

by Robert Fife

That said it all. The hands of the Chinese Communist Party were going on the offence. The 48 Group Club a China friendly group of former UK ambassadors and Prime Ministers were embarrassed by their connections to a Club founded by key members of the Chinese Communist Party of Britain who's chair Stephen Perry suggested that China's approach to world order and rule was superior to democracy and the UK should embrace them.

Asked if he believed the lawsuit was an effort by the Chinese government to stop the publication of his book, Mr. Hamilton said: “I have no evidence of that, although it should be noted that the Chinese government has used lawfare in the past.” Lawfare is the use of legal action as part of a campaign against a target.

Governments around the world are in the early stages of a repositioning of power, as China rises and the United States is drawn into direct competition. However, some are beginning to wonder whether, for all of the economic benefits, engaging with China carries unseen dangers.

The Chinese Communist Party is now determined to reshape the world in its image. The party is not interested in democracy. It divides the world into those who can be won over and enemies. They have already lured many leaders to their corner; others are weighing up a devil's bargain.

Through its exercise of ‘sharp power,’ the party is weakening global institutions, aggressively targeting individual corporations, and threatening freedom of expression from the arts to academia. At the same time, security services are increasingly worried about incursions into our communications infrastructure. Indeed, the vaunted Great Firewall is a temporary measure, only necessary until the party has transformed the global conversation.

In December 2019, the CCP's obsession with social control led it to suppress expert warnings about the coronavirus outbreak in Wuhan. Most alarming for the West was the active collaboration of the WHO in spreading the CCP's version of events. It was a shocking example of the widespread co-optation of global institutions by the CCP, as described in Hidden Hand. As soon as Beijing thought it had the virus under control, it began a global propaganda blitz, presenting China's authoritarian system as a model for the rest of the world. Western media and pundits soon began echoing the Party line.

Hidden Hand is a detailed and devastating expose of Chinese Communist Party influence in the West, including Canada. It could not arrive at a better time in Canada, with relations between Ottawa and Beijing reaching breaking point after two years of mounting tension. China's bullying behaviour, and the mobilising of people loyal to the Chinese Communist Party on the streets of Canada's cities, has caused deep disquiet among Canadians.

But the government seems paralyzed. Hidden Hand shows how Canada's political, business, academic and cultural elites have over many years been co-opted by the Chinese Communist Party and its agencies. They are confused about what is in Canada's national interests and frequently do Beijing's bidding.

Hidden Hand shows how the Chinese Communist Party represents a profound threat to Western democracy. It's vital reading for Canadians who want to understand what is really happening, and points to a way of carving out a new diplomatic course with China. But the question remains: Does the government have the will to stand up to Beijing and its proxies in Canada or is it too late?