China’s influence operations are no longer limited to Washington — they are increasingly playing out at the state and local level across the United States.

In this episode of the China Desk Podcast, host Steve Yates is joined by Ambassador Joseph Cella, founder and president of the Secure Our States Coalition and former U.S. Ambassador to Fiji, for a wide-ranging discussion on how the Chinese Communist Party is targeting American communities, industries, and institutions from the ground up.

Cella explains how his work in Michigan — particularly efforts to push back against CCP-linked projects — led to the creation of the Secure Our States Coalition, a citizen-led initiative focused on identifying, exposing, and countering Chinese influence at the state level. He argues that while federal awareness of the China threat has grown, major gaps still exist in public awareness, policy coordination, and local-level response.

The conversation walks through how CCP-linked entities engage in the United States, often through seemingly legitimate economic activity that carries deeper national security implications. From foreign direct investment and tax incentives to academic partnerships and infrastructure projects, Cella outlines how these efforts exploit America’s open system.

The discussion also explores:
• How CCP influence operations target state and local governments
• The role of economic incentives, tax credits, and partnerships in expanding influence
• Risks tied to EV manufacturing, battery plants, and supply chains
• Concerns around land purchases near military installations and critical infrastructure
• The use of academic institutions and research partnerships to gain access
• Why data centers, drones, and technology supply chains present emerging risks
• The importance of state-level legislation and grassroots awareness
• How citizen-led efforts can close information, security, and policy gaps

Cella also highlights how political awareness is beginning to catch up, with growing bipartisan attention at the state level and increasing scrutiny of CCP-linked investments. However, he warns that the United States is still playing catch-up after years of underestimating the scope of the threat.

This is a comprehensive look at how geopolitical competition with China is unfolding inside the United States — and why state and local action may be just as critical as federal policy in addressing it.

00:00 — Introduction and Ambassador Joseph Cella joins the podcast
00:33 — Background and previous China Desk appearances
02:16 — Origin of the Secure Our States Coalition
05:06 — Why the coalition is focused on all 50 states
07:01 — The “China problem” and lack of public awareness
10:11 — Common CCP tactics: investment, influence, and partnerships
12:16 — Exploiting America’s open system and economic incentives
14:08 — Academic partnerships and national security concerns
15:49 — “China First” thinking and economic trade-offs
18:57 — State-level policy responses and legislative efforts
19:34 — EVs, batteries, and risks to U.S. manufacturing
21:21 — Restrictions on Chinese technology near military bases
23:06 — What policymakers often miss about the China threat
24:08 — Drones, data centers, and future vulnerabilities
26:56 — Supply chains, infrastructure, and national security risks
28:17 — Final thoughts and how to get involved

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