ChinaTalk
China's Spies
Jan 7, 2021
Matt Brazil, a historian and co-author of 'Chinese Communist Espionage, An Intelligence Primer,' discusses the intricate history of the Chinese Communist Party's use of espionage. He highlights key events like the assassination attempt on Zhou Enlai and how such acts shaped public perception. Brazil contrasts China’s state security evolution under Deng Xiaoping with Western intelligence strategies. He also dives into the humor of economic espionage consulting, and shares insights on the impact of supercomputers on surveillance and military tactics.
01:00:35
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Quick takeaways
- Spies played a crucial role in the Chinese Civil War, using intelligence to gain an advantage over their adversaries and ultimately leading to the Communist Party's victory in 1949.
- China's modern espionage efforts involve advanced technology and tactics, with challenges including combating economic espionage, safeguarding state security, and countering foreign influence.
Deep dives
Espionage in the Early Years of the Communist Party
The Communist Party of China (CCP) had little knowledge of espionage when it was founded in 1921. However, they quickly learned the importance of intelligence work after experiencing attacks by nationalists in 1927. Zhou Enlai played a significant role in establishing CCP intelligence operations, although he faced opposition from Mao. The CCP's espionage efforts faced challenges, particularly when their chief spy defected to the nationalist side in 1931. Despite setbacks, the CCP managed to recover and focus on revolutionary activities in the Red Army area in Jiangxi.
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