In the modern geopolitical chessboard, China’s strategies often make headlines. Whether it’s the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) or aggressive posturing in the South China Sea, the world has come to associate China’s rise with economic and military expansion. However, a subtler, more profound strategy is unfolding beneath the radar: China’s use of education and academia to influence the next generation of leaders in developing and small countries. By targeting intellectuals and academic institutions, Beijing is creating a long-term influence that could reshape global perceptions of its role and power.

The Historical Playbook of Educational Influence

Education has long been a tool for soft power and societal dominance. Empires throughout history, from the British to the Ottomans, understood the value of shaping minds to secure allegiance. Colonial powers established schools to spread their values and culture, ensuring that the next generation of local elites thought in ways aligned with imperial interests. Now, China is deploying a similar playbook but with a distinctly modern twist.

The Strategy Unfolds: Professors as Agents of Influence

China’s academic strategy focuses on funding top and reputed professors from prestigious universities in countries like Nepal, Bangladesh, and South American nations. These professors, in turn, influence their students—the leaders, bureaucrats, and policymakers of tomorrow. The funding often comes with strings attached, requiring professors to promote narratives favorable to China while subtly criticizing the West and rising powers like India.

For instance:

1. Nepal: Reports indicate that Chinese-funded academic programs in Nepal emphasize the benefits of China’s BRI while portraying Indian and Western involvement in the region as exploitative. Nepali students, particularly those studying political science, international relations, and economics, are exposed to pro-China narratives through scholarships, exchange programs, and research grants.
2. Bangladesh: Professors in universities like Dhaka University have reportedly been engaged in collaborative research projects funded by Chinese institutions. These projects often frame China’s role in Bangladesh’s infrastructure development as altruistic, conveniently glossing over concerns like debt traps and economic dependency.
3. South America: In countries like Ecuador and Venezuela, Chinese-funded academic programs emphasize China’s solidarity with developing nations against Western hegemony. Students are taught to view China as a model for development, often overlooking its authoritarian tendencies and disregard for environmental and labor rights.

Creating a Deep State Through Academia

By targeting the academic elite, China is creating a form of “deep state” influence that operates independent of the ruling regimes. Intellectuals hold a revered and influential position in society. Their opinions shape public discourse, and their teachings influence the beliefs and values of entire generations. By co-opting professors and universities, China ensures that its narratives permeate deeply into the intellectual fabric of a nation.

This approach is particularly effective in societies where intellectuals are both respected and feared. In many cultures, challenging a professor’s authority is taboo, giving their opinions an almost sacred status. By controlling these opinion-makers, China can steer national narratives without the overt interference that often provokes backlash.