China’s growing influence targeting my generation

OPINION:

As American athletes from across our great nation proudly represented the United States abroad in the anti-American People’s Republic of China (PRC), Democrat leaders at home pleaded with our athletes to not “anger” Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leaders. The Speaker of the House of Representatives and arguably the most corrupt person in American politics, Nancy Pelosi, warned Americans competing in the Olympic games to “not risk incurring the anger of the Chinese government.” Mrs. Pelosi’s apology for America is embarrassing, yet unsurprising. For too long, the Washington, D.C. establishment on both sides of the aisle has turned a blind eye to the ever-growing threat that the PRC presents not only to American interests abroad but more importantly, at home.

From the CCP’s Belt and Road Initiative to their predatory economic policies, China’s growing influence in the world is no secret. Yet while many Americans can easily identify the influences of China beyond our shores, many do not realize how China has infiltrated key aspects of American life within our borders. As a Generation Z American and Candidate for U.S. Congress, I am particularly concerned by China’s pervasive influence in our classrooms and our cellphones.

In our American colleges and universities, the CCP has established Confucius Institutes that they say exist to promote a “cultural understanding” between the United States and the PRC. In reality, these Trojan horses promote and defend Chinese communist ideology to America’s college students. Chinese professors working for Confucius Institutes are coerced to avoid sensitive topics that paint the PRC in a negative light and universities are not allowed to criticize China’s actions without being forced to give up significant financial incentives provided by the CCP. In my home state of New Hampshire, the University of New Hampshire only recently rid themselves of their Confucius Institute after more than a decade-long partnership.

When American students leave the classroom, the CCP’s propaganda does not go away. The PRC’s indoctrination campaign, spreading misinformation, Chinese propaganda, and—through TikTok’s algorithm—sowing the seeds of division. In China, TikTok’s algorithm promotes brilliant Chinese minds with the most viral posts being related to engineering and science. Compare that to the United States, where millions of young Americans have become more sympathetic to communism. Further, Tik Tok is gathering a behemoth of information on the movements and personal data of millions of young Americans.

I am proud to have served as an Assistant Press Secretary in the Trump White House, for a President who took bold and decisive action to limit the influence of China throughout the United States. In the American higher education system, President Trump took a hard stance against Confucius Institutes, designating them as a foreign mission of the CCP. Furthermore, President Trump attempted to ban TikTok after exposing the danger it poses to young Americans. 

Compare President Trump’s actions with that of the current Biden Administration and the differences could not be more clear. While China continues its campaign for world domination, the Biden Administration continues to focus its efforts internationally on Ukraine and Russia—yet, interestingly, without any mention of Hunter Biden’s financial interests in the region. While Democrats in Washington did everything to oppose the Trump Administration’s actions on China, they have seemingly ignored China’s threat to young Americans and continue to apologize for America on the world stage.

We cannot afford to apologize or my generation of Americans will pay a serious and heavy price. As the CCP continues to indoctrinate young people every minute of every day, the promise of America is slipping away. There is an urgency to elect new, strong, and young leaders who will fiercely reject the establishment’s stale approach toward China and are unafraid to stand up for America.

This is why I am running for Congress, to not only protect my great home state of New Hampshire from the Radical policies being pushed in Washington but to secure a future for my generation and those that will follow. While my election to Congress would make me the youngest person ever elected, it would also guarantee that the people of New Hampshire have a strong fighting voice who will never, ever apologize for America.

• Karoline Leavitt is former Presidential Writer and Assistant Press Secretary under President Donald J Trump, and candidate for U.S. Congress (R-NH).