Spies and Lies: How China's Greatest Covert Operations Fooled the World

Alex Joske's book "Spies and Lies" exposes the Chinese Communist Party's elite influence operations, challenging the conventional account of China's past, present, and future. It reveals how the party has manipulated Western leaders for nearly 40 years, unmasking dozens of active Chinese intelligence officers and global MSS fronts.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2022
Publisher: Hardie Grant Books

Spies and Lies, written by Alex Joske, is a groundbreaking exposé that delves into the enigmatic realm of elite influence operations conducted by China's lesser-known Ministry of State Security. This compelling book unveils for the first time how the Chinese Communist Party has strategically deployed its spies to manipulate global perceptions and deceive the world. It challenges the established narrative of China's past, present, and future, casting a new light on the country's political landscape.

In the past, Western governments had hoped that cooperation with China would lead to liberalization and a peaceful rise. However, the Chinese Communist Party's authoritarian behavior under Xi Jinping has fundamentally challenged the notion of China's peaceful ascent. Joske's book sheds light on how the Chinese Communist Party has been manipulating Western leaders, including prominent figures such as Australian prime ministers, US Congress members, think tanks, and even the FBI, for nearly four decades.

Through a combination of interviews with defectors and intelligence officers, classified Chinese intelligence documents, and original investigations, Spies and Lies uncovers a vast network of active Chinese intelligence officers and global MSS fronts. These fronts encompass travel agencies, writers associations, publishing houses, alumni associations, newspapers, Buddhist retreats, record companies, and charities. The book meticulously details the tactics employed by these agents, including deception, bribery, and emotional manipulation, to sway Western opinions and policies in favor of China.

Spies and Lies is an extraordinary insight into the most successful influence operation in history, one that has deceived the West for years. It is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the complex dynamics of international relations and the tactics employed by authoritarian regimes to manipulate public opinion. Joske's book provides a valuable contribution to our understanding of China and its role in shaping the global landscape.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 232 x 153 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781743797990