China Is Training Foreign Officials To Spread Its Political Model, Including How To 'guide Public Opinion' Online

Thomas Peter-Pool/Getty Images China is using an academy to train foreign officials in how its political and economic model works. The academy is targeting government officials in ASEAN member countries in an effort to expand its influence. Officials are taught about the history and operations of the Chinese Communist Party and how to “guide public opinion” online and alleviate poverty in a “targeted” way. President Xi Jinping recently said China will train 2,000 foreign police and judges in the next three years. The new Baise Executive Leadership Academy – which looks like a five-star resort nestled in the green hills of China's remote Guangxi region – may not be well-known abroad, but it aspires to be part of Beijing’s strategy of exporting its development model, in this case by training foreign government officials. Launched 18 months ago by the government of the southern region, the school has already trained 437 senior government delegates, most of them from neighbouring countries such as Vietnam, Laos and Myanmar – all funded by the Chinese side.See the rest of the story at Business InsiderNOW WATCH: I spent a day with Border Patrol agents at the US-Mexico borderSee Also:New Zealand and China are butting heads over Beijing's growing influenceThe US Navy just quietly sent an F-35 aircraft carrier to the Pacific — and it signals a big changeA woman who has reviewed more than 40,000 résumés outlines the 8 most annoying mistakes she seesSEE ALSO: It looks like China is extending its Black Mirror-like 'social credit system' to overseas companies