China’s strategic influence in Georgia slips under the radar as the country is caught in a tug-of-war between Russia and the West over the “transparency of foreign influence” bill. But the looming civil society crisis has made the Georgian government’s approach to sideline the West and favor China more evident than ever.

Mass protests in the former Soviet republic’s capital, Tbilisi, have been under the international spotlight for over a month. Georgian citizens, who just celebrated the country’s EU candidacy and seek full membership, are deeply concerned about the government’s repeated attempts to adopt an alleged Russian-style “foreign agents” bill. While the government claims that the legislation promotes transparency of foreign influences in civil society, protesters view it as an act to suppress and control Georgia’s non-governmental sector.

Many, including members of the U.S. Congress and European Parliament, have criticized Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party for pro-Russian leanings and neglecting the people’s will. However, the Georgian Dream staunchly rebuffs Western accusations, further rejecting invitations from European and U.S. officials while actively pursuing partnerships with China and its allies.

The signs of Georgia’s pivot to China are undeniable. To name a few, shortly after the mass protests erupted in April, Georgian government officials proudly celebrated the opening of the construction of the Kvesheti-Kobi tunnel, the country’s largest. The China Railway 23rd Bureau Group Co. is building this massive infrastructure project as part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Thanks to the BRI, the Georgian Dream successfully positions itself as a champion of critical infrastructure reform, gaining greater support from the population and fostering a sense of development amid the massive protests.

In early May, the heads of the national banks of Cambodia and Georgia signed a memorandum of understanding to de-dollarize their economies. Georgia, which has been a U.S. ally since the collapse of the Soviet Union and has contributed troops to NATO’s mission in Afghanistan and the U.S. operations in Iraq, has sided with China’s friend to achieve President Xi Jinping’s long-term vision to end the monopoly of the U.S. dollar. While the potential impact of Georgia-Cambodia cooperation to curtail U.S. dollar dominance might be limited, their alliance sends a potent message to the West regarding Georgia’s strategic (re)orientation, especially alongside the adoption of the foreign agent bill, which is widely viewed as anti-Western.

Georgian officials have also shifted their diplomatic priorities. During the ongoing protests, Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze hosted an annual meeting of the Asian Development Bank in Tbilisi, one of the main sponsors of BRI projects in Georgia. Meanwhile, Speaker of Parliament Shalva Papuashvili refused to meet with the chairpersons of the Foreign Relations Committees of the German, Lithuanian, Polish, Czech, and Finnish Parliaments. “It was not a good time for a visit,” Papuahsvili said, citing the scheduled third hearing of the bill.

If the signs are so apparent, why has China been absent from geopolitical scrutiny amid this internal crisis and mass demonstrations in Georgia?

Georgians perceive China differently from the EU, U.S., and Russia. China is geographically distant from Georgia and has had little to no influence on its internal politics. Historically China has mostly brought economic well-being to Georgia through the Silk Road. In contrast, the EU and the U.S. have tantalized the country with the prospect of EU and NATO membership, creating the perception that the West has significant political interests in the Caucasus to counter Russia, which controls 20 percent of Georgia. With deep-seated anti-Russian sentiments stemming from Soviet history and ongoing Russian occupation, Georgians tend to view their political landscape in binary terms – pro-Western or pro-Russia – often overlooking China’s role in the region.

China’s soft power remains largely unnoticed in Georgia, unlike the West, which has been actively promoting democratic ideals for over three decades. Western influence is evident through substantial grants and prestigious student exchange and training programs in the EU and U.S. that promise career growth. Russian impact remains prominent due to the country’s Soviet history, ongoing occupation, and hybrid warfare, which includes extensive disinformation campaigns in Georgia.

In contrast, China’s soft power efforts emerged late and remain limited. For example, while English has become the post-Soviet Georgians’ second language, Mandarin Chinese was introduced to fifth-graders as a foreign language only in 2019. The country also has several Chinese-funded educational centers like the Confucius Institute at the Free University of Tbilisi and the Chinese Language and Cultural Center at the Tbilisi State University, but there is limited evidence that Chinese ideology plays a notable role in their work. China’s cultural influence remains too insignificant to overshadow the conversations about Russian and Western propaganda.

China receives far less media and public attention than Russia and the West, failing to capture large-scale interest, especially amid the polarization surrounding the foreign agent bill. The Georgian Dream party takes full credit for the country’s economic progress, with minimal mention of China and the BRI.

As Russia’s geopolitical isolation made overland trade routes through Russia less viable, China extended its BRI to Georgia, redirecting cargo via the so-called Middle Corridor that connects China to Europe through Central Asia and the Caucasus. Georgia actively embraced its new transit role, investing in infrastructure projects and engaging in diplomatic efforts with relevant countries (e.g. Georgia’s then-Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili visited Kazakhstan after meeting Xi Jinping in 2023 to discuss the region’s growing transit importance). However, the Georgian Dream party’s lack of emphasis on Chinese cooperation keeps China less discussed than Russia and the West.

Meanwhile, the BRI criticism has not yet permeated Georgian society. While Western powers actively highlight China’s debt traps and alleged malicious intent to expand influence through infrastructure projects, this narrative has not spread in Georgia. “Many countries are turning away from the Belt and Road Initiative after a few years seeing that it actually isn’t very beneficial to other countries,” said then-U.S. Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan after Garibashvili visited China. However, the ambassador’s words received limited attention compared to the economic opportunities touted following Georgia’s enhanced cooperation with China.

This is largely because the countries most indebted to China are primarily located in Africa, Central Asia, and Southeast Asia – regions that are distant from Georgia both geographically and politically. Consequently, Georgians have limited knowledge of China’s involvement in those areas, making it difficult to juxtapose BRI’s impact abroad with their domestic economy.

Despites its relatively low profile in Georgia, China has presented unparalleled opportunities for the Georgian Dream to maintain its anti-Western rhetoric and defy Western recommendations during this crisis. As the Georgian Dream is on a collision course with the West, it is in its interest to avoid contentious discussions involving China. When pushing for the foreign agent bill, which faced fierce Western criticism, the Georgian Dream positioned it as a measure to strengthen sovereignty and resist Western pressure. After this bold move to cater to an electorate skeptical of Western influence in the election run-up, the government understands the need for alternative support. China emerges as a solution. If the U.S. and EU translate their sanction warnings into action, the Georgian Dream could turn to China to offset potential losses and restore its reputation.

Despite visible indications of Georgia’s shift toward China, the Georgian population remains fixated on the West-Russia divide, leaving little mental space for China. Historical perceptions, limited exposure to Chinese soft power and BRI’s impact, media coverage, and strategic maneuvers by the Georgian Dream all contribute to the nation’s apparent oversight of China’s growing influence.

As Georgia grapples with the domestic crisis over the foreign agents bill, it is crucial to recognize that the Georgian Dream has its eyes on China, as opposed to Russia or the West.

Georgia voters kicked out incumbents, picked replacements for departing legislators and set the stage for June runoffs as well as the big show in November.

Ballot casters up and down the Peach State made choices Tuesday that are already set to reshape the state Legislature, which could have an even greater effect on the average Georgian than who sits in the White House this time next year.

In one of Tuesday’s biggest upsets, Gabriel Sanchez, a Smyrna waiter endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America, beat out Smyrna Democratic Rep. Teri Anulewicz, who had represented House District 42 since 2017.

Sanchez earned 2,240 votes, good for 56.8%, to Anulewicz’s 1,711 votes, or 43.21%, according to unofficial results.

In a Wednesday morning tweet, Sanchez chalked up his victory to a focus on issues important to working people.

“The mandate is clear,” he wrote. “Georgia voters deserve a representative who leads with the issues working people care about. Together, we will fight for affordable housing, universal healthcare, green jobs, trans rights, and economy that works ALL of us — not the 1%.”

In November, Sanchez will go on to face Republican Diane Jackson, who works in marketing and was unopposed in her primary.

Locust Grove Republican Rep. Lauren Daniel campaigned as an “unapologetic mom” and could often be seen during the legislative session with her youngest son, baby Zane, strapped to her chest.

The House even made Zane a nametag like the ones lawmakers wear that said “Zane Daniel, Baby of the House.”

Daniel had the support of Gov. Brian Kemp, the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and other establishment figures, but she faced opposition from ultra conservatives.

“We came up short this time y’all, and the Republican voters of District 81 have chosen someone else to face off against the Democrat challenger this fall. My family & I have been slandered, lied about, harassed and threatened for months at this point and honestly, there is joy in the morning today because I know without a doubt, God is good ALL THE TIME!” Daniel wrote on social media Wednesday.

Noelle Kahaian, a paralegal from Henry County, sent mother and baby packing Tuesday, defeating Daniel with 2,665 votes to 2,384, or about 53% to 47%.

Kahaian will go on to face Democrat Mishael White, a truck driver from Henry County, in November. White earned 3,212 votes from voters who chose Democratic ballots.

Far-right gun rights advocacy group Georgia Gun Owners celebrated on Twitter with an image of a tombstone with Daniel’s name on it and two skulls, one being pecked by a crow.

GGO political director for advocacy Alex Dorr said Daniel, who has an A rating from the NRA, did not do enough to support expanding gun rights.

“For GGO members, it’s not enough for Republican legislators to simply VOTE NO on gun control,” he said in an email Wednesday. “Our members expect Republicans to actively work to expand our gun rights with legislation like the Second Amendment Preservation Act (HB-293 and HB-1009.) Lauren refused to fight for SAPA, or anything else where our gun rights were concerned. She was a fraud. Now she’s gone!”

Daniel did not respond to a request seeking comment Wednesday.

State Rep. Saira Draper, an Atlanta Democrat, handily won a second term Tuesday. She faces no opposition in November in the heavily Democratic district.

Draper won nearly 68% of the vote in what was the only legislative race where two incumbents faced each other after being drawn together during last year’s court-ordered redistricting do-over, so at least one sitting lawmaker was sure to lose.

The new district included more than 70% of Draper’s old district.

Draper said Wednesday that she also attributes the outcome to her pitch to voters that her experience as a voting rights attorney made her the best choice. She had also emphasized the perspective she brings to the Legislature as a member of the Hispanic and AAPI caucuses and one of the few women lawmakers with young children under the Gold Dome.

“We were very disciplined in our message that I brought something to the Capitol that filled a critical gap, which is my unique knowledge and experience in voting rights, democracy and elections,” Draper said.

“Right now, our institutions of democracy are being challenged and voting rights are under attack. To succeed as a Democratic caucus, we have to have someone who can address those issues head on,” she said.

State Rep. Becky Evans, an Atlanta Democrat who was first elected in 2018, said on social media that she called to congratulate Draper Tuesday evening.

“The results were not what we wanted, but as someone who has spent the last six years fighting so hard to protect and serve this community and our democracy, I certainly respect the will of voters,” Evans said.

Unsettled races

Along Georgia’s coast, St. Marys Republican Rep. Steven Sainz appears to have narrowly missed the 50% plus one threshold to avoid a runoff. In a three-person race, Sainz took about 49.7% of votes, creating a rematch with retiree Glenn Cook, who scored 1,673 votes, or around 27%. Cook was an early adopter of artificial intelligence in his campaign.

In a Wednesday morning Facebook video to supporters, Sainz sounded an optimistic tone and indicated he’s waiting on absentee and provisional ballots to trickle in.

Cook also expressed optimism, pledging to keep up the fight in the weeks leading up to the runoff and beyond.

“The next four weeks are about one thing above all else: being truly present in the lives of our community members,” he said in an email. “I ran because our current representative, focused on the perks of government, neglected the responsibilities and the people he was meant to serve. My wife and I personally knocked on over 4,000 doors in this district, dedicating countless hours to listening to your stories and understanding your needs. True conservatism means being present and engaged.”

In one closely watched Atlanta contest, middle school teacher Bryce Berry dodged a runoff, winning a four-person race outright with 1,975 votes, or 54%.

That earns him the right to face Republican Rep. Mesha Mainor in November. Mainor switched parties last summer after facing criticism over her support from her colleagues for her position on issues like school vouchers.

“This is only half the battle, but it’s a battle we will lead with love, hope and optimism of what Georgia can be,” Berry said Wednesday on social media. “We’re taking this to November and restoring progressive values to District 56.”

Berry’s confidence is not unfounded. District 56 strongly prefers Democratic candidates, supporting President Joe Biden by nearly 90% in 2020. On Tuesday, the four Democratic candidates combined notched 3,651 votes total. Mainor, the sole Republican, got 114 votes in her party’s primary.

In Gwinnett County, IT cybersecurity professional Arlene Beckles and program specialist Sonia Lopez appear set to face off to replace retiring Democratic Rep. Pedro “Pete” Marin. Beckles got 505 votes, just over 39%, and Lopez got 394 votes, about 30.5%. Third place finisher Neva Thompson appears to have earned 390 votes, about 30.3%, but in such a close low-turnout race, uncounted absentee or provisional ballots could make a difference.

No Republican qualified to run in the district.

Over in east Georgia near the South Carolina border, general contractor Rob Clifton is set to go into a runoff against retired educator Paul Abbott to replace the retiring Republican Rep. Jodi Lott. In a five-person race, Clifton got 1,887 votes, about 48.8%, and Abbott got 728 votes, 18.8%.

Looking forward

Representatives of both parties said Wednesday the results in House races point to a bright future for their respective caucuses.

Democrats pointed to two races where they think the results show possible pickups.

In the north metro 53rd District, Atlanta attorney Susie Greenberg got 3,257 votes in the Democratic primary, outpacing incumbent Republican Rep. Deborah Silcox, who got 2,504 votes in the GOP primary.

Democrats have listed the district, which supported Biden with nearly 55% of the vote in 2020, as one they hope to pick up this year.

“I’m particularly excited about Susie’s number–that seat is historically Republican and I think seeing Democrats energized enough to vote in the primary there is a great sign in November, even if it’s not an apples to apples comparison,” said Georgia House Democratic Caucus Campaign Services and Field Director Jake Field in an email.

Field also pointed to District 99 in Gwinnett, where non-profit CEO Michelle Kang, a Democrat, slightly outperformed Republican incumbent Rep. Matt Reeves, earning 1,964 votes in the Democratic primary to Reeves’ 1,888 in the Republican primary.

Democrats also have that district on their target list. In 2020, voters there backed Biden over Trump by 52.7% to 47.3%

“That one shocked me quite a bit as the Dem base in that seat tends to be lower turnout–I think that’s a great sign that Dems are engaged up there,” he said.

Reeves told the Recorder the only thing the results show is that the district is close to 50-50.

He said there were over 700 ballots cast without a vote on the state House race, which means those voters either left the section blank or selected a non-partisan ballot.

Reeves said he’s encouraged by what those voters did cast ballots for, including the state Supreme Court race which some viewed as a proxy fight over abortion rights and a homestead tax exemption that passed overwhelmingly.

Challenger John Barrow, who campaigned on his belief that abortion rights are protected under the state Constitution, lost his race against Justice Andrew Pinson, and he lost in District 99 56% to 44%, Reeves said.

“If you look at things like the Supreme Court race and the homestead vote, people are looking for folks who are focused on common ground and sound public policy and not partisan politics, and I think the tax relief, public safety, education and other work I’ve done the last two years fits into the common ground type work that the district’s looking for.”

But Field was less enthusiastic about another Gwinnett district, Democratic Rep. Farooq Mughal’s District 105. That’s one Republicans think they can flip, and on Tuesday, Republican Realtor Sandy Donatucci provided some evidence they could be right.

She tallied 2,209 votes in the Republican primary, with Mughal narrowly edging her out with 2,292.

“I’m not super surprised about Farooq’s number–that roughly tracks with the partisanship with that seat,” Field said. “I know there was also a property tax referendum that was energizing Republicans in Gwinnett and while there’s no overlap, the City of Mulberry referendum likely had some residual excitement in the North Gwinnett area.”

But House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration said in a statement that the Republicans are prepared to fight for their seats and to flip Democratic ones.

“Congratulations to all of our Republican nominees celebrating wins yesterday, including a slate of impressive challengers to incumbent Democrats,” he said. “As we move into the general election cycle, our House leadership team will not take our majority for granted. We’re prepared to both defend our current caucus members and take on incumbent Democrats whose liberal positions are out of touch with their communities. As hardworking Georgians continue to battle inflation and rising crime, our House leadership team will work tirelessly to protect and defend our conservative majority.”

Georgia Recorder Deputy Editor Jill Nolin contributed to this report. 

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) – A glitch in Georgia’s voter information page that lasted just shy of an hour during Tuesday’s primary election has some advocates concerned for the November general election.

The My Voter Page, referred to as MVP, is a site run by the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office that allows voters to look up their registration status and precinct location, and track their absentee ballots and view sample ballots.

But for about an hour between 1-2 p.m. during Tuesday’s primary, the site was down, leaving voters with no access to their information.

“In the years I’ve been doing this I’ve never seen it be down for this long,” said Stephanie Ali, policy director with the voting rights group New Georgia Project. “So we have to have our confidence that this is getting fixed, that this is going to be stronger and that this is going to handle a higher volume going into November and frankly beyond.”

Election officials said the crash was a symptom of too much traffic on the page – or more accurately – what those users were doing.

“It’s not just the user, it’s the things they’re requesting,” said Gabriel Sterling, chief operating officer of the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, in a press conference moments after the site went back online. “When you’re requesting to download a sample ballot, it’s a lot more capacity than it is if you’re just looking at your polling location, so it’s not a question of number of users. We were in the thousands at a time of doing it at that point.”

But primary elections historically see far lower voter turnout than general elections, so the concern is that the site will experience something similar when far more voters are using it in November.

“If this number of voters knocks it off its pedestal, then we’ve got to expect a higher number are coming and we’ve got to be ready for that,” said Ali.

Exacerbating the issue were ongoing delays at U.S. Postal Offices in Georgia. Because those delays risked the timely delivery of absentee ballots, absentee voters were specifically encouraged to check the MVP for the status of their ballot, and if it wasn’t showing a confirmed delivery, they were directed to vote in person so their absentee ballot could be spoiled once it arrived late.

The page was needed Tuesday perhaps more than it had been in a long time. This year’s primary election was the first since a sweeping round of redistricting impacted the voting precincts and candidates for people in metro Atlanta and the metro Macon area.

It also happened in the middle of the day, when people still had a chance to confirm their precinct and go vote.

Ali said it could have been far worse.

“Our biggest fear seeing something like that is that that sort of crash happens in the evening at 6 p.m. when people are trying to do their final runs and there is no later,” she said. “You can’t just have a flippant response that, oh, there’s still a chance, because at some point there won’t be.”

The site was back up and running around 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Georgia saw a roughly 20% voter turnout for the primary.

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