China’s extensive disinformation campaign, aimed at reshaping global perceptions, has caught the attention of intelligence analysts and policymakers in Washington. The campaign, costing billions per year and utilizing artificial intelligence, is becoming increasingly sophisticated. The tactic involves networks of websites posing as legitimate news outlets, delivering pro-China coverage that aligns with Beijing’s official statements and positions.
Shannon Van Sant, an adviser to the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, discovered a network of sites masquerading as news organizations, including one that imitated The New York Times. These sites disseminate strongly pro-Chinese messages, but further investigation revealed that the reporters listed on the site did not exist, with their names and photos appearing to be generated by AI. Van Sant emphasized the damaging impact of media manipulation on democracy and society.
While China’s methods are wide-ranging and difficult to trace back to the government, analysts at cybersecurity firm Logically identified 1,200 websites that carried Russian or Chinese state media stories. These sites often target specific audiences and adopt names resembling traditional news organizations. Unlike Russia or Iran, which have shown clear preferences in the U.S. presidential campaign, China focuses on spreading positive content about itself. Approximately 20% of the content related to the U.S. election on these sites can be traced back to Chinese or Russian state media.
The Gallup World Poll indicates that while more countries view the U.S. positively, the number of countries with negative views of both the U.S. and China has increased over the past 15 years. In response, some U.S. officials are pushing for increased spending to counter China’s global influence, including its disinformation campaigns. The House of Representatives recently approved a bill authorizing $325 million annually through 2027 for this purpose.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has called for a systematic buildup of Chinese narratives to match the country’s international stature. Beijing has invested in state media outlets like Xinhua news agency and China Central Television, as well as local media groups establishing “international communication centers” to expand their overseas presence. China has also formed media partnerships worldwide, which likely contributed to the dissemination of false information in the Solomon Islands.
China’s disinformation campaign is closely tied to the global race for economic dominance in emerging technologies such as electric vehicles, computer chips, AI, and quantum computing. Leading in these areas provides a significant advantage, according to Jaret Riddick, a senior fellow at Georgetown University’s Center for Security and Emerging Technology.
To propagate its narrative, Beijing has employed fake personas. The case of Yi Fan, initially described as a Chinese foreign ministry analyst but later morphing into a journalist and independent analyst, was detailed in a 2023 State Department report. Another example is Wilson Edwards, a supposed Swiss virologist quoted in Chinese media as a COVID-19 expert, who was later found to be non-existent by Swiss officials.