An alarming investigation by the Daily Caller News Foundation (DCNF) has revealed that thousands of American children are being sent to summer camps in China that are closely linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its intelligence agencies. These camps, touted as opportunities for ethnically Chinese children to reconnect with their heritage, have a far more insidious purpose, including promoting CCP propaganda and training some children to act as “Little Overseas Chinese Police,” according to the investigation.
The Chinese government advertises the “Root-Seeking Summer Camp” as a cultural immersion experience designed to help overseas Chinese children learn about their ancestral roots. However, a closer look at the program reveals that it is not merely a cultural exchange, but a well-orchestrated effort to expand the CCP’s influence globally—particularly among Chinese communities abroad.
The DCNF’s investigation uncovered troubling details about the nature of these camps, including military-style boot camps that train children as young as 10 to march, salute, and participate in physical drills under the supervision of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA). One camp in 2016, held in Suqian, China, saw children training at the Jiangsu National Defense Education and Training Center, a military base where they practiced obstacle courses and combat training. In 2017, another camp in Beijing involved children from the U.S. and the UK performing military drills in front of PLA soldiers, donning uniforms, and even participating in salutes and push-ups under military supervision.
The CCP’s outreach to overseas Chinese youth is a strategic move to cultivate future generations of Chinese nationals who, while living abroad, may be sympathetic to Chinese state interests and influence. By teaching them about CCP ideology and national defense, China is creating a network of “cultural ambassadors” who are well-versed in CCP talking points and may one day advocate for Chinese interests on the global stage.
National security analyst Brandon Weichert speculated that the “Little Overseas Chinese Police” program might serve as a tool for China to intimidate and recruit children into espionage, encouraging them to monitor and report on their family members’ activities, especially if they are involved in political activism or anti-China sentiment. Such efforts are part of China’s broader strategy to exert control over its diaspora and keep tabs on Chinese nationals living abroad.
The “Root-Seeking” program is a key part of China’s broader strategy of “unrestricted warfare”—a concept that involves non-traditional methods of influence and subversion to weaken foreign nations from within. By embedding CCP-friendly activities within organizations and institutions abroad, China is using soft power to exert control globally. The program’s reach extends to various Chinese-American organizations, which have been instrumental in recruiting children for the camps.
In the U.S., organizations like the Overseas Chinese Service Centers (OCSCs) work directly with Chinese consulates to promote the “Root-Seeking” camps. The OCSCs, which are overseen by China’s United Front Work Department (UFWD), have been accused of acting as agents of CCP influence, often working closely with Chinese intelligence and military personnel. U.S. lawmakers, including Rep. Eric Burlison of Missouri, have raised concerns about the presence of these CCP-affiliated entities within American borders, warning that they could be used to infiltrate and influence American society and politics.
While the camps include some traditional cultural activities like calligraphy and kung fu, they also push a CCP-friendly narrative of China’s revolutionary history. The program regularly involves “Red Tourism,” where participants are taken to sites significant to the CCP’s founding, such as the birthplace of the Red Army and locations associated with revolutionary martyrs. These excursions are intended to instill a sense of pride and loyalty to the CCP, with visits to places like the statue of Chairman Mao or the Great Wall of China often coupled with teachings on China’s socialist and communist values.
One of the most significant aspects of the program is its alignment with Chinese President Xi Jinping’s “Chinese Dream” of national rejuvenation. In 2010, Xi himself spoke at a Root-Seeking camp opening ceremony, encouraging participants to become “enthusiastic disseminators” of Chinese culture and to serve as “emissaries” for China’s foreign relations. This ideological push is a direct effort to shape how the next generation of Chinese youth will view both their own heritage and the global role of the CCP.
As China continues to expand its reach globally, particularly through the targeting of young, impressionable individuals, the United States and other Western countries must remain vigilant. National security experts warn that these camps are just one part of a broader strategy to cultivate a generation that may unwittingly—or even wittingly—advance Chinese state interests. For U.S. lawmakers and citizens alike, the challenge is not just recognizing the dangers of such programs, but also taking steps to safeguard American children from foreign ideological manipulation and influence.
