An Indicator score can be read alongside its 2024 counterpart only where the Indicator is unchanged or only its grammar was corrected. New and revised Indicators measure something different from 2024.
2024 → 2026
| Change | Indicators |
|---|---|
| New Indicators | 7 |
| Revised Indicators | 10 |
| Layer changed | 2 |
| Grammar corrected | 12 |
| Additional Remark added or reworded | 14 |
| Unchanged | 54 |
New Indicators
These Indicators are new and replace the 2024 Indicator with the same number. The two scores are not comparable.| 2026 Indicator | Text | 2024 Indicator it replaces |
|---|---|---|
| Media 1 (#1) | In my country, there are journalists or media organizations that are members of, or officially affiliated with, media networks created, organized, or coordinated by PRC-connected entities. | In my country, there are media organizations that belong to the World Chinese Media (世界华文媒体) network. |
| Media 2 (#2) | In my country, there are reports of coordinated information manipulation campaigns suspected of being initiated or directed by the PRC or PRC-connected individuals or entities. | In my country, there are journalists or media organizations which are members of the Belt and Road Media Cooperation Alliance/Union, the Belt and Road News Alliance, or other Belt and Road media networks that connected to PRC (e.g. Belt and Road Media Community, Belt and Road Journalists Network, Belt and Road News Network, or B&R TV Networks). |
| Economy 5 (#49) | According to the latest available official data, mainland China is among the five largest source economies of inward foreign direct investment in my country. | My country joined (or applied to join) the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). |
| Technology 2 (#57) | In my country, mobile network operators or internet service providers use network equipment or technical standards produced or developed by PRC enterprises, such as Huawei or ZTE. This applies to mobile networks, including 4G and 5G, and to fixed networks, including fiber-optic, broadband, and Wi-Fi networks. | In my country, telecoms have signed agreements to adopt hardwares or technical specifications of 4G or 5G cellular networks that are produced or developed by Huawei, ZTE or other PRC enterprises. |
| Technology 3 (#58) | My country’s national government has formally endorsed or joined a PRC-led international initiative on digital governance, cybersecurity, or artificial intelligence governance. | In my country, internet service providers have signed agreements to adopt hardware or technical specifications for Wi-Fi or fiber optic/broadband networks that are produced or developed by PRC enterprises. |
| Society 10 (#76) | In my country, religious organizations or religious leaders have participated in exchanges, visits, training, or joint events with PRC state-controlled religious bodies, such as the Islamic Association of China, the Buddhist Association of China, the Three-Self Patriotic Movement, or the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association. | In my country, gamers, gaming communities, or game developers/publishers have been involved in freedom of speech controversies related to the PRC. |
| Military 5 (#82) | In my country, forces or groups involved in an armed conflict have received military support from the PRC, directly or through intermediaries. | In my country, the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has participated in a humanitarian relief/disaster assistance (HADR) effort. |
Revised Indicators
These Indicators changed in scope, so a 2026 score is not directly comparable with 2024.| Indicator | 2026 text | 2024 text | Also changed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media 9 (#9) | In my country, there are journalists who have had pressure exerted on them by the PRC or PRC-connected individuals or entities after reporting or making public statements that are critical of the PRC, including (but not limited to) public denunciation, denial or cancellation of press credentials or visas, lawsuits or legal threats, doxxing, hacking or attempted hacking of accounts or devices, spyware, or coordinated online harassment or threats, including gender-based or sexualized forms. | In my country, there are journalists who have had pressure exerted on them by the PRC, including (but not limited to) public denunciation, revocation of journalist ID, denial of visa, lawsuits, or threat thereof. | |
| Foreign Policy 1 (#12) | My country’s legislature has an active parliamentary friendship group, committee, or similar body with the PRC. | My country’s legislature has a joint parliamentary friendship group, committee or other forms of sub-organizations with the PRC. | Evidence: System → Case |
| Foreign Policy 5 (#16) | My government has formally endorsed, joined, or committed to implementing one or more global initiatives proposed by the PRC government, including the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and Global Governance Initiative (GGI). | In my country, politicians or government officials participate in events or projects affiliated with the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED, 中国环境与发展国际合作委员会). | Layer: Pressure → Alignment |
| Academia 2 (#24) | In my country, there are Confucius Institutes, Confucius Classrooms, or other PRC-affiliated educational centers or programs based at universities. | In my country, there are Confucius Institutes/Classrooms or other PRC-affiliated Chinese language centers based at universities. | |
| Academia 9 (#31) | In my country, there are scholars or academics who have had pressure exerted on them by the PRC or PRC-connected individuals or entities after expressing opinions or producing scholarship that is critical of the PRC, including (but not limited to) denial or cancellation of visas for PRC travel, workplace censure or disciplinary action, lawsuits or legal threats, doxxing, hacking or attempted hacking of accounts or devices, spyware, or coordinated online harassment or threats, including gender-based or sexualized forms. | In my country, scholars or academics have been pressured after expressing opinions or producing scholarship that is critical of the PRC, including via visa denials for PRC travel, workplace censure, lawsuits, legal challenges, or threats thereof. | Scoring: Graded Yes-No → Simple Yes-No |
| Domestic Politics 2 (#35) | In my country, municipalities or provinces have active sister-city or sister-province ties (友好城市) with municipalities or provinces in the PRC. | In my country, local municipalities or provinces have sister-city or sister-province ties (友好城市) with municipalities or provinces in the PRC. | Evidence: System → Case |
| Domestic Politics 8 (#41) | In my country, there are politicians, government officials, or political parties that have had pressure exerted on them by the PRC or PRC-connected individuals or entities after engaging in political activities, making public statements, or advocating policies, including (but not limited to) public denunciation, doxxing, hacking or attempted hacking of accounts or devices, spyware, or coordinated online harassment or threats, including gender-based or sexualized forms. | PRC officials or PRC state media have criticized, harassed, or threatened local politicians, local government officials, or political parties in my country due to their activities, statements or policy advocacy. | |
| Technology 4 (#59) | In my country, technology equipment supplied by PRC-connected entities is used in critical infrastructure, including telecommunications and broadcast networks, airports, public transport, government IT networks, ports, power systems, or data centers. | In my country, PRC-connected entities are authorized to supply tech-related equipment for critical infrastructure (such as airports, public transport, government IT networks, ports etc.). | Scoring: Simple Yes-No → Graded Yes-No |
| Society 2 (#68) | In my country, there are individuals or organizations that are members of, hold formal roles in, or are formally affiliated with PRC United Front organizations, including (but not limited to) the United World Chinese Association (UWCA; 世界华人协会), the China Overseas Friendship Association (COFA; 中华海外联谊会), or the All-China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese (ACFROC; 中华全国归国华侨联合会). | In my country, there are members and member organizations of United World Chinese Association (世界华人协会). | |
| Society 8 (#74) | In my country, PRC-connected entities are the main shareholders or developers of at least one of the top five most popular social media/messaging apps, based on usage. | In my country, PRC-connected entities are the main shareholders or developers of the top five popular social media/messaging apps, based on their usage. |
Layer changed
The wording is unchanged; the Indicator now belongs to a different Layer, which changes the Layer scores it contributes to.| Indicator | Text | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Society 9 (#75) | In my country, there are cultural events, cultural exchange projects, or cultural organizations that are funded by or receive funding from PRC-connected entities, including in sports. | Layer: Alignment → Exposure |
| Law Enforcement 8 (#96) | In my country, PRC-connected individuals or entities have established extra-legal physical premises from which to surveil or detain members of the Chinese diaspora (e.g. overseas police service stations). | Layer: Alignment → Pressure; Additional Remark reworded |
Grammar corrected
Corrections to grammar or punctuation only. The scope is unchanged.| Indicator | Text | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Media 4 (#4) | In my country, there are journalists, media organizations or online influencers who have received training from PRC state-owned media or PRC-connected entities. | Grammar |
| Media 5 (#5) | In my country, PRC state media (including print, radio, and video) is broadcasted or distributed in a local language. | Additional Remark reworded |
| Foreign Policy 7 (#18) | My country unquestionably uses PRC’s “One China Principle” which articulates that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, rather than my country’s own “One China Policy.” | Additional Remark reworded |
| Academia 3 (#25) | My country plans to include, or does include, Chinese as a foreign language in K-12 or primary education, and receives free or subsidized (e.g. offered below market price) educational books and teachers from the PRC. | Grammar |
| Domestic Politics 7 (#40) | In my country, groups with reported links to the United Front Work Department (UFWD) have hosted fundraising activities or have provided other forms of support for government employees, politicians or parties. | Layer: Pressure → Exposure |
| Economy 9 (#53) | My country has free-trade agreement(s) with the PRC (either bilateral or as part of regional agreement(s)) that primarily deal with trade in goods or services, including digital goods or services. | Grammar |
| Economy 11 (#55) | My country has undergone a default or restructuring of a public debt arrangement with PRC-affiliated financial entities, which may or may not have involved the transfer of my country’s land or infrastructure in exchange for debt forgiveness. | Grammar |
| Technology 11 (#66) | In my country, the central or local government(s) has collaborated with the PRC on endorsing the use of the BeiDou satellite navigation system. | Additional Remark reworded |
| Society 7 (#73) | In my country, the PRC government or PRC-connected entities distribute entertainment products (including: drama and TV shows) or related hardware (e.g. OTT streaming players hosting PRC media channels) freely or at a cheap price. | Grammar |
| Military 4 (#81) | In my country, there are reports that the PRC has expressed intentions or has taken actions to establish bases. | Grammar |
| Law Enforcement 2 (#90) | In my country, law enforcement authorities have signed cooperation agreements with the PRC on combating terrorism. | Grammar |
| Law Enforcement 7 (#95) | In my country, there are reports of cyber attacks targeting government, critical infrastructure, or enterprises that are suspected as being initiated by the PRC. | Grammar |
Additional Remark added or reworded
The Indicator text is unchanged. The guidance on how to answer it was added or rewritten.| Indicator | Text | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Media 7 (#7) | In my country, media outlets have delivered content provided by PRC state-funded media, or under content-sharing agreements with PRC state-funded media. | Additional Remark reworded |
| Foreign Policy 6 (#17) | My country has signed an agreement with the PRC to classify their diplomatic relationship as a “Strategic Partnership” or beyond. | Additional Remark reworded |
| Foreign Policy 8 (#19) | My government has supported, remained silent about, or opposed the PRC’s territorial claims (such as on the South China Sea arbitration ruling issued by the UNCLOS Arbitral Tribunal in July 2016); except claims over Taiwan, which are indirectly covered in indicator 7. | Additional Remark added |
| Foreign Policy 9 (#20) | My government has supported, remained silent about, or opposed the PRC’s treatment, governance, or policy towards the Uyghur population in Xinjiang. | Additional Remark added |
| Foreign Policy 10 (#21) | My government has supported, remained silent about, or opposed the PRC’s treatment, governance, or policy toward the Tibet population. | Additional Remark added |
| Foreign Policy 11 (#22) | My government has supported, remained silent about, or opposed the PRC’s ongoing repression in Hong Kong, such as the imposition of the National Security Law or other actions to persecute Hong Kong protestors or activists. | Additional Remark added |
| Domestic Politics 1 (#34) | In my country, politicians or government employees at the sub-national level are signing agreements with the PRC government or state-owned enterprises. | Additional Remark reworded |
| Economy 3 (#47) | The PRC is the top customer for my country’s extractive industries. | Additional Remark reworded |
| Economy 4 (#48) | In my country, PRC-related entities own, operate or substantially control critical infrastructure (e.g. ports, power plants, digital data centers, etc) or sensitive sectors (biotech, raw materials, etc.). | Additional Remark added |
| Economy 10 (#54) | In my country, central or local governments have relaxed or removed regulatory restrictions, or have established special economic zones (or free trade zones, industrial parks, etc.) to attract investments or economic participation from the PRC. | Additional Remark reworded |
| Technology 6 (#61) | In my country, one or more cities have procured, or have signed contracts with PRC-connected entities to establish “smart city” systems. | Additional Remark added |
| Society 1 (#67) | In my country, there are local groups or organizations with words like “Promotion of Peaceful Reunification” in their name, and they regularly publicize their views on Taiwan, Hong Kong, Tibet and Xinjiang issues. | Additional Remark added |
| Society 11 (#77) | In my country, polling data or opinion surveys indicate that a majority of citizens hold favorable views toward the PRC government. | Additional Remark added |
| Law Enforcement 6 (#94) | In my country, organized local criminal groups are known to have threatened or used violence to coerce, intimidate, or punish individuals critical of the PRC. | Additional Remark added |
Unchanged
Carried over from 2024 as they were.| Domain | Indicators |
|---|---|
| Media | 3, 6, 8, 10, 11 |
| Foreign Policy | 2, 3, 4 |
| Academia | 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11 |
| Domestic Politics | 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10, 11 |
| Economy | 1, 2, 6, 7, 8 |
| Technology | 1, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10 |
| Society | 3, 4, 5, 6 |
| Military | 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 |
| Law Enforcement | 1, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11 |