| Summary: | China is a rising power on the world stage with growing economic and political
influence. This influence is particularly felt in Australia and in New Zealand. United
Front work is a key aspect of Chinese political influence abroad, particularly after
Chinese president Xi Jinping’s rise to power. United Front work is difficult to track,
and a survey over all countries is extremely challenging, but Chinese economic
influence in each and every country can be measured easily using readily available
trade and investment data. This paper finds a significant correlation between the
economic influence of China and United Front work. It also highlights particular
economic influence indicators that can predict particular United Front influence
indicators. The paper thus provides a way to systematically predict United Front
influence in many countries by analyzing commodity trade and Chinese investment
data. More research can be done, however, in broadening the scope of this project
and in improving data quality.
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