Sarah Cook
@sarahgcook.bsky.social
Independent researcher & consultant; author of UnderReported China newsletter; fmr Freedom House China research director, views my own; underreportedchina.substack.com
UnderReported China has hit 1700 subscribers! Thanks all for reading. If you have found this newsletter helpful, please consider upgrading to a paid subscription to support the newsletter and keep the content unpaywalled for everyone. Details below. underreportedchina.substack.com/p/a-note-on-...
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Enabling paid subscriptions, but keeping core content free
underreportedchina.substack.com
UnderReported China has hit 1700 subscribers! Thanks all for reading. If you have found this newsletter helpful, please consider upgrading to a paid subscription to support the newsletter and keep the content unpaywalled for everyone. Details below. underreportedchina.substack.com/p/a-note-on-...
A Note on Supporting UnderReported China
Enabling paid subscriptions, but keeping core content free
underreportedchina.substack.com
Are companies and governments in Southeast Asia making use of U.S.-based or China-based AI models? Many are using both! Alex Colville did great reporting in The Wire on this, also highlighted in the latest issue of the UnderReported China newsletter. underreportedchina.substack.com/p/hidden-suc...
The Hidden Successes—and Limits—of Beijing’s Media Influence in Africa
Plus updates on PRC influence operations, AI expansion in Southeast Asia, and a U.S. citizen detained in China
underreportedchina.substack.com
Are companies and governments in Southeast Asia making use of U.S.-based or China-based AI models? Many are using both! Alex Colville did great reporting in The Wire on this, also highlighted in the latest issue of the UnderReported China newsletter. underreportedchina.substack.com/p/hidden-suc...
The Hidden Successes—and Limits—of Beijing’s Media Influence in Africa
Plus updates on PRC influence operations, AI expansion in Southeast Asia, and a U.S. citizen detained in China
underreportedchina.substack.com
New issue of UnderReported China is out! This month features a guest post by Emeka Umejei, a Nigerian-born scholar, on overlooked economic dimensions of Beijing’s media engagements in Africa. Plus updates on PRC influence in France, SE Asia and U.S. underreportedchina.substack.com/p/hidden-suc...
The Hidden Successes—and Limits—of Beijing’s Media Influence in Africa
Plus updates on PRC influence operations, AI expansion in Southeast Asia, and a U.S. citizen detained in China
underreportedchina.substack.com
New issue of UnderReported China is out! This month features a guest post by Emeka Umejei, a Nigerian-born scholar, on overlooked economic dimensions of Beijing’s media engagements in Africa. Plus updates on PRC influence in France, SE Asia and U.S. underreportedchina.substack.com/p/hidden-suc...
The Hidden Successes—and Limits—of Beijing’s Media Influence in Africa
Plus updates on PRC influence operations, AI expansion in Southeast Asia, and a U.S. citizen detained in China
underreportedchina.substack.com
Alien Tort Statute aside, Cisco's complicity in building Great Firewall and enabling the targeting of FLG activists in China is undeniable. While Cisco was eventually supplanted by Chinese competitors, Golden Shield could not have got off the ground without it. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
US supreme court ends lawsuit alleging Cisco helped China pursue Falun Gong
Suit alleged California-based company developed technology that allowed China to surveil members of movement
theguardian.com
As President Trump heads to #China, the agenda should go beyond trade and Iran. 3 things to raise: 1. Transnational repression - incl #Xijinping's links to CCP agents in U.S. 2. Political prisoners with U.S. family. 3. Large-scale AI distillation. underreportedchina.substack.com/p/three-thin...
Three Things Trump Should Raise with Xi in Beijing
Transnational repression, prisoners with U.S. ties, and industrial-scale AI theft
underreportedchina.substack.com
Well, I've done it - I've activated paid subscriptions for UnderReported China. This is a "support my work" model, so there is no paywall. But if you have the budget and want to help sustain the newsletter - now you can! See here for full details: underreportedchina.substack.com/p/a-note-on-...
A Note on Supporting UnderReported China
Enabling paid subscriptions, but keeping core content free
underreportedchina.substack.com
Well, I've done it - I've activated paid subscriptions for UnderReported China. This is a "support my work" model, so there is no paywall. But if you have the budget and want to help sustain the newsletter - now you can! See here for full details: underreportedchina.substack.com/p/a-note-on-...
A Note on Supporting UnderReported China
Enabling paid subscriptions, but keeping core content free
underreportedchina.substack.com
My latest piece: Beijing's Foreign Influence Tactics, Hidden in Plain Sight According to OpenAI, a PRC user referenced “over 100 tactics” developed to manipulate narratives and silence, discredit or intimidate CCP critics globally. I highlight six. underreportedchina.substack.com/p/beijings-f...
Beijing's Foreign Influence Tactics, Hidden in Plain Sight
New reports document the scope and sophistication of CCP influence operations
underreportedchina.substack.com
My latest piece: Beijing's Foreign Influence Tactics, Hidden in Plain Sight According to OpenAI, a PRC user referenced “over 100 tactics” developed to manipulate narratives and silence, discredit or intimidate CCP critics globally. I highlight six. underreportedchina.substack.com/p/beijings-f...
Beijing's Foreign Influence Tactics, Hidden in Plain Sight
New reports document the scope and sophistication of CCP influence operations
underreportedchina.substack.com
Heads up - A new UnderReported China post is coming out tomorrow! It outlines six emerging tactics in Beijing’s foreign influence toolbox, based on recent tech firm and policy research. Subscribe here (it’s free) if you aren’t already: underreportedchina.substack.com
UnderReported China | Sarah Cook | Substack
News and analysis on China: human rights, technology, and foreign influence. Click to read UnderReported China, by Sarah Cook, a Substack publication with thousands of subscribers.
underreportedchina.substack.com
My latest on how Chinese AI models spread propaganda & censorship globally. New research finds that these models embed Beijing's content controls on topics vital to European and U.S. security, reaching far beyond the usual CCP taboos. underreportedchina.substack.com/p/how-chines...
How Chinese AI Models Spread Propaganda and Censorship Globally
New research underlines how artificial intelligence models from China spout distortions about Ukraine and more
underreportedchina.substack.com
My latest on how Chinese AI models spread propaganda & censorship globally. New research finds that these models embed Beijing's content controls on topics vital to European and U.S. security, reaching far beyond the usual CCP taboos. underreportedchina.substack.com/p/how-chines...
How Chinese AI Models Spread Propaganda and Censorship Globally
New research underlines how artificial intelligence models from China spout distortions about Ukraine and more
underreportedchina.substack.com
Just updated my post on DeepSeek - #Estonia gov't published a new report, which concluded from its own checks - "When discussing issues related to Estonia's security, DeepSeek conceals key information and inserts Chinese propaganda into its answers". underreportedchina.substack.com/p/chinas-dee...
China's DeepSeek: Implications of its Growing Reach in Autocracies and Democracies
Plus new research on spoofed media domains, cultural propaganda, and united front networks in Mexico
underreportedchina.substack.com
Just updated my post on DeepSeek - #Estonia gov't published a new report, which concluded from its own checks - "When discussing issues related to Estonia's security, DeepSeek conceals key information and inserts Chinese propaganda into its answers". underreportedchina.substack.com/p/chinas-dee...
China's DeepSeek: Implications of its Growing Reach in Autocracies and Democracies
Plus new research on spoofed media domains, cultural propaganda, and united front networks in Mexico
underreportedchina.substack.com
A year after the China-based AI model DeepSeek made global headlines, how much traction has it gained? My latest post in UnderReported China looks at its growing reach plus the implications for Beijing’s foreign influence and democratic resilience. underreportedchina.substack.com/p/chinas-dee...
China's DeepSeek: Implications of its Growing Reach in Autocracies and Democracies
Plus new research on spoofed media domains, cultural propaganda, and united front networks in Mexico
underreportedchina.substack.com
In 2025, Beijing's foreign information influence grew more sophisticated and insidious, leveraging AI, influencers, and transnational repression to spread CCP narratives and silence critics. See my latest in UnderReported China for five key trends underreportedchina.substack.com/p/2025-recap...
2025 Recap: Five Key Developments in Beijing’s Foreign Information Influence
From deploying AI to courting youth influencers, the CCP’s tactics grew in subtlety and sophistication
underreportedchina.substack.com
Last month, OpenAI published its latest threat intelligence report. Two #China findings: PRC-linked accounts were using ChatGPT to design monitoring tools and also for disinformation campaigns, including for a video later found on TikTok. Details: underreportedchina.substack.com/i/177486526/...
Trump-Xi Meeting: Why Transnational Repression Should Be on the Agenda
Also the latest on school protests in China and PRC use of AI tools for foreign influence
underreportedchina.substack.com
My latest via the Diplomat: Why Trump Should Have Raised China's Transnational Repression in the US with Xi. Spoiler: One reason is cause Xi is personally driving some TNR campaigns. thediplomat.com/2025/10/why-...
Why Trump Should Have Raised China’s Transnational Repression With Xi Jinping
Even amid de-escalation efforts, there is strategic value to rebuffing Beijing’s overreach.
thediplomat.com
New issue of UnderReported China, with analysis on why Trump should raise transnational repression with Xi when they meet tomorrow, the latest use of AI tools by CCP for disinformation operations, and how protests like this one are rising in China. underreportedchina.substack.com/p/trump-xi-m...
Trump-Xi Meeting: Why Transnational Repression Should Be on the Agenda
Also the latest on school protests in China and PRC use of AI tools for foreign influence
underreportedchina.substack.com
New issue of UnderReported China, with analysis on why Trump should raise transnational repression with Xi when they meet tomorrow, the latest use of AI tools by CCP for disinformation operations, and how protests like this one are rising in China. underreportedchina.substack.com/p/trump-xi-m...
Trump-Xi Meeting: Why Transnational Repression Should Be on the Agenda
Also the latest on school protests in China and PRC use of AI tools for foreign influence
underreportedchina.substack.com
An updated version of my recent piece on the China Index findings on CCP foreign influence around the world is up at the Power 3.0 blog. Thanks to the NED for improving and publishing it! www.power3point0.org/2025/10/21/n...
New Index Takes the Pulse of China’s Growing and Dynamic Foreign Influence - Power 3.0: Understanding Modern Authoritarian Influence
By Sarah Cook In just the past month, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) added to its long track record of foreign influence. New details have emerged about the PRC’s continued involvement in espionage...
power3point0.org
An updated version of my recent piece on the China Index findings on CCP foreign influence around the world is up at the Power 3.0 blog. Thanks to the NED for improving and publishing it! www.power3point0.org/2025/10/21/n...
New Index Takes the Pulse of China’s Growing and Dynamic Foreign Influence - Power 3.0: Understanding Modern Authoritarian Influence
By Sarah Cook In just the past month, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) added to its long track record of foreign influence. New details have emerged about the PRC’s continued involvement in espionage...
power3point0.org
Many Chinese were separated from their loved ones this Mid-Autumn Festival, but there are also good news stories. Ms. Liu Pintong, a Falun Gong believer, escaped China after surviving a prison in Liaoning. She's now in the UK, reunited with her son. underreportedchina.substack.com/i/175463235/...
Millions in #China and around the world celebrated the Mid-Autumn Festival this week. But countless families are separated because of the CCP's repression. I wrote about their plight and three key prisoners in the latest issue of UnderReported China. underreportedchina.substack.com/p/honoring-c...
Honoring China’s Prisoners of Conscience this Mid-Autumn Festival
Sharing the stories of a jailed Chinese youth, a father serving a long sentence, and the recently released mother of a UK graduate student
underreportedchina.substack.com
Many Chinese were separated from their loved ones this Mid-Autumn Festival, but there are also good news stories. Ms. Liu Pintong, a Falun Gong believer, escaped China after surviving a prison in Liaoning. She's now in the UK, reunited with her son. underreportedchina.substack.com/i/175463235/...