Estonian Journalists’ China Visit Raises Influence Concerns, Says Security Service

Several Estonian journalists and public relations professionals participated in what security officials describe as a “propaganda visit” to China last fall, according to reporting by Postimees. The trip has drawn attention following revelations in the Estonian Internal Security Service’s (ISS) annual yearbook released earlier this week.

The October visit to China included media representatives and business figures who traveled at the invitation of a foreign relations firm based in Jiangsu province. Among those attending were regional daily Harju Elu journalist Askur Alas, Russian-language newspaper MK Estonia employee Galina Streltsova, and Oliver Lomp and Siim Nikopensius, owners of creative agency Sweep.

When contacted by Postimees, Alas confirmed that Harju Elu’s editor-in-chief received the invitation through the Chinese Embassy in Estonia. He maintained that no reciprocal actions were demanded of participants, though he acknowledged that “of our own volition, we published one article four months later, in connection with the start of the Chinese New Year.” Streltsova declined to provide any comment regarding her participation in the trip.

The ISS, also known locally as Kapo, highlighted in its 2025 annual report that China significantly expanded its influence operations in Estonia during the past year. These activities frequently offer what the security service describes as a “curated and polished ‘China experience'” under the guise of cultural cooperation initiatives.

According to the security service, China’s influence strategy employs multiple approaches. These include cultural outreach coordinated through the embassy, often organizing events in partnership with local governments. The Chinese officials simultaneously pursue connections with Estonian political and business leaders while reportedly paying local media outlets and public relations firms to facilitate these relationships.

The security report specifically mentioned LinkedIn as a platform commonly used by Chinese representatives to establish initial contact with potential Estonian targets. The ISS noted that these influence activities predominantly focus on science, technology, and security sectors, with Chinese intelligence services attempting to cultivate relationships with influential individuals by extending invitations to visit China and the surrounding region.

Estonia, a NATO and EU member that shares a border with Russia, has grown increasingly vigilant about foreign influence operations in recent years. The small Baltic nation has been particularly sensitive to both Russian and Chinese attempts to shape public opinion and policy, given its strategic position in Northern Europe and its strong digital infrastructure.

The security service further elaborated that these Chinese efforts appear designed to counterbalance negative media coverage about China’s human rights record, allegations of unfair economic practices, and growing support for Russia in its war against Ukraine. By cultivating positive relationships with media figures and opinion leaders, China seeks to promote alternative narratives about its global activities and policies.

This revelation comes amid growing concern across Europe about Chinese influence operations targeting media, academia, and political institutions. Several European countries have recently strengthened their foreign investment screening mechanisms and implemented stricter regulations regarding foreign-funded media operations.

The Estonian case highlights the evolving nature of influence operations, which increasingly target smaller countries with specialized expertise or strategic significance rather than focusing exclusively on major powers. Security experts note that such soft power approaches can be particularly effective in smaller nations where media markets are less robust and international coverage more limited.

Neither the Chinese Embassy in Estonia nor representatives from Jiangsu province’s foreign relations firm have publicly responded to the ISS report or the Postimees coverage as of this writing.