Gathering information on Charles Michel and European institutions, recruiting sources and influencing public debate on the Covid-19 crisis: Frank Creyelman's missions were numerous. For at least three years, the far-right Belgian politician received instructions from a Chinese agent to influence European discourse and policy.

The hundreds of messages between the two men were recovered by Le Monde, Der Spiegel and the Financial Times. They reveal Beijing's concerns, such as the Uyghurs, – the oppressed Muslim minority in the Xinjiang region – Covid-19 and the pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong. Covering the period of 2019-2022, their exchanges also lay bare the various influence strategies used by the Chinese agent, who goes by the name "Daniel Woo."

See some of our sources used in this investigation.