Five Eyes Intelligence Alliance Builds Coalition to Counter China Source The officials who spoke to Reuters said the talks have been taking place “below the radar” and mainly bilaterally. Two sources said France was also involved, but on a less regular and comprehensive basis. None suggested that Germany, Japan or other nations outside the Five Eyes network had been invited to meetings of the intelligence alliance, which was set up after World War Two to counter Soviet influence. But a statement issued after a Five Eyes meeting on the Gold Coast of Australia in late August hinted at closer coordination. It said the group would use “global partnerships” and accelerate the sharing of information on foreign interference activities. International coordination has accelerated in parallel with a wave of national measures to limit Chinese investments in sensitive technology companies and counter what some governments view as a growing campaign, under Chinese leader Xi Jinping, to sway foreign governments and societies in China’s favor through a mix of pressure and inducements. Last December, citing concerns about Chinese influence, the Australian government unveiled a package of new laws that tightened rules on foreign lobbying and political donations, while broadening the definition of treason and espionage. The United States has pushed through a law, known as FIRRMA (Foreign Investment Risk Review Modernization Act), which gives Washington new powers to block certain types of foreign investments.