https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-55168633
US officials speak out about increased efforts to influence President elect Biden’s new administration, “focusing on people close to Mr. Biden’s team”. It has been said that over one thousand suspected agents for China have fled the US. As talk of this influence spreads, a virtual meeting took place in the Aspen Institute think tank. At this discussion, the chief of the Director of National Intelligence’s counter-intelligence branch, said he believes that China has been trying to interfere for some time now, since the virus and along through the election. This has also caused problems for Chinese international students, getting denied entry to the country earlier this year.
Yet another conflict between China and a democratic nation is a very predictable event and we have heard the story of threatening Chinese influence over American democracy before. Both candidates made claims about the other in reference to allowing Chinese influence into the country, with Trump saying that Biden’s son has ties to the Chinese, though it is unclear whether either of the accusations hold any truth to them. With President elect Biden’s term quickly approaching, it is key that personnel working for the Chinese are eradicated before that term does begin. Hopefully the new administration can distance themselves from the looming Chinese presence.
Again, I believe that this event would fall under the realist approach to international relations. China is attempting to expand its own sphere of influence once again, with the only motivation being a selfish power grab. China shows its true colors once a week it seems, clearly attempting to turn the tides from a Unipolar system with the United States at top to a Bi-Polar system with the United States and China in charge. It is also possible that the Chinese if they do obtain a place in a Bi-Polar system to make a grab for a Unipolar system placing themselves in America’s previous position. This also fits into the realist perspective in terms of states being the only players that matter, we do not see much influence of outside organizations in this case.