Taiwan Accuses China of Intensified Disinformation Campaign Targeting Democracy and US Ties
TAIPEI – Taiwan’s government has accused China of significantly escalating its disinformation campaign aimed at undermining public trust in the island’s democratic institutions and eroding its close relationship with the United States. According to a report released by Taiwan’s National Security Bureau, the volume of false or biased information disseminated by China surged by a staggering 60% in 2024, reaching 2.16 million pieces, compared to 1.33 million in the previous year. This surge signifies a marked intensification of China’s efforts to manipulate public opinion and influence political discourse in Taiwan.
The report highlights a strategic shift in China’s disinformation tactics, with a growing focus on reaching younger demographics through platforms popular among this age group. Video channels, online forums, and social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) have become prime battlegrounds in this information war. By targeting younger audiences, China aims to shape their perceptions of cross-strait relations and influence their political leanings in the long term.
The National Security Bureau’s report, while tallying the number of "pieces of controversial information," refrains from providing a precise definition of this term. Nevertheless, it sheds light on the platforms most frequently exploited for spreading disinformation, including Facebook, X, and youth-oriented platforms like TikTok. The report reveals a multi-pronged approach employed by China, encompassing the creation of "inauthentic accounts" to disseminate propaganda on platforms like YouTube, the leveraging of artificial intelligence to fabricate videos, and the coordinated flooding of comment sections with pro-China sentiments.
The pervasiveness of this disinformation campaign is further underscored by the significant increase in identified inauthentic accounts, which rose from 16,555 in 2023 to 28,216 in 2024 – an alarming 70% surge. The report also exposes more sophisticated tactics, such as hacking Taiwanese accounts to impersonate individuals and military personnel, adding another layer of complexity to the challenge of combating disinformation. This sophisticated approach underscores the lengths to which China is willing to go in its efforts to manipulate the information landscape in Taiwan.
China’s influence extends beyond the digital realm, as Beijing already holds considerable sway over certain Taiwanese newspapers and traditional media outlets due to their owners’ business interests in mainland China. This influence creates a conducive environment for the dissemination of pro-China narratives and undermines the independence and objectivity of these media organizations. The combination of online and offline influence operations creates a formidable challenge for Taiwan’s efforts to maintain a free and open information environment.
This intensified disinformation campaign unfolds against the backdrop of escalating tensions between China and Taiwan. China continues to assert its claim over Taiwan and has repeatedly threatened to use force if necessary to achieve unification. Chinese leader Xi Jinping, in his New Year’s address, reiterated the inevitability of unification and dismissed any external interference, a clear reference to the United States, Taiwan’s most significant ally. China’s military activities, including the frequent incursions of warplanes and ships into Taiwanese-controlled areas, along with simulated blockade and invasion drills, further underscore the gravity of the situation. Beijing’s ongoing military buildup, aimed at targeting key infrastructure and countering potential US intervention, adds another layer of complexity to this precarious geopolitical landscape.
In response to these escalating threats, Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te, in his own New Year’s address, reaffirmed Taiwan’s commitment to strengthening its defenses. He emphasized Taiwan’s crucial role in the global "line of defence of democracy" against authoritarian regimes like China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. This commitment highlights Taiwan’s determination to resist China’s pressure and maintain its democratic way of life. The intensifying information war underscores the importance of international cooperation in combating disinformation and safeguarding democratic values. As China continues to refine its disinformation tactics, the need for robust countermeasures and media literacy initiatives becomes increasingly crucial for Taiwan and its allies.
