A Chinese influence network active in Hungary: The power of the United Front

Last November, a high-ranking Chinese delegation arrived at a seemingly unremarkable building on Kőbányai Street in Budapest. They were warmly welcomed by the President of the Hungarian Chinese Women’s Federation, whose family owns the shopping centre where the event was held. The women’s federation entertained the delegation with a cultural program, singing patriotic songs and performing traditional dances. However, this visit was not just about commerce or culture.

The United Front: expanding China’s global influence

Photo: Wikimedia Commons/Dong Fang

According to Direkt36, which took part in an international investigative journalism project, the delegation belonged to a significant branch of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) known as the United Front. The United Front plays a crucial role in expanding China’s global influence, especially through monitoring and controlling key members of the overseas Chinese diaspora. In several Western countries, authorities have uncovered secret operations linked to this organisation, which involved illegal information gathering and attempts to influence local politics. In the United States, a former official from New York was recently charged for working on behalf of China, while the Czech intelligence agency has reported similar covert operations linked to the Chinese organisation.

While Hungary has increasingly tightened its ties with China, there is no indication that Hungarian authorities have taken steps against the United Front’s activities.

However, the recent investigation by Direkt36, among others, revealed that the United Front had established significant operations in Hungary.

For instance, during the heated debate over the planned Fudan University campus in Budapest, Chinese organisations linked to the United Front reportedly attempted to influence local officials in favour of China’s interests.

Individuals and organisations connected to the United Front in Hungary

As part of this investigation, a leaked document from an online hacker forum listed over 2000 individuals allegedly connected to the United Front and leading Chinese associations abroad. Among these were 56 people and 26 organisations in Hungary, involved in business, politics, and cultural activities. Some notable figures included a businessman associated with the Skála department stores, as well as journalists and editors of Chinese-language newspapers in Hungary.

The United Front’s roots go back to the early 20th century when it was a key part of Mao Zedong’s strategy during China’s revolutionary struggles. Mao famously called the organisation a “magic weapon” for the Communist Party, primarily tasked with combating internal opposition. After decades of inactivity, the organisation was revived under China’s current president, Xi Jinping, who has personal ties to the United Front through his father, a prominent figure in the group. Xi has significantly expanded the United Front, adding 40,000 new members and giving it more resources and power, making it a key player in China’s intelligence and influence operations globally.

The organisation’s extended influence

In addition to controlling Chinese communities abroad, the United Front has extended its influence over foreign Chinese-language media. The group has been accused of turning these outlets into tools for spreading CCP propaganda, as evidenced by a forum where Chinese journalists were encouraged to publish pro-China content. Several media representatives from Hungary were among the participants in such forums.

The United Front has also faced accusations of operating secret police stations abroad, disguised as administrative centres. These offices allegedly monitor Chinese nationals and pressure them to return to China under various pretences. The Safeguard Defenders, a human rights organisation, identified two such stations in Budapest. Although Hungarian authorities deny their existence, an opposition politician found evidence suggesting these stations were indeed operational.

Furthermore, the United Front is deeply involved in fostering loyalty to China among overseas Chinese youth. It organises cultural exchanges and leadership programs aimed at strengthening national identity and allegiance to China. One prominent Hungarian-Chinese businessman, who signed a traditional Chinese medicine trade agreement with Beijing, is also mentioned as a key figure in one of the United Front’s youth initiatives.

Despite mounting international evidence about the United Front’s covert operations, including reports of it acting as an intelligence arm of the CCP, there has been no formal response from the Hungarian government or the Chinese embassy in Budapest. For now, the activities of the United Front in Hungary remain largely unchecked, as the country continues to cultivate a closer relationship with China, welcoming its investments and influence.

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