{"id":2050209,"date":"2023-09-29T20:01:02","date_gmt":"2023-09-30T00:01:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/china-spending-billions-on-disinformation-targeting-global-audiences-report\/"},"modified":"2023-09-29T20:04:41","modified_gmt":"2023-09-30T00:04:41","slug":"china-spending-billions-on-disinformation-targeting-global-audiences-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/china-spending-billions-on-disinformation-targeting-global-audiences-report\/","title":{"rendered":"China is investing billions in disinformation campaigns worldwide, says report."},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">20<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fchina-spending-billions-on-disinformation-targeting-global-audiences-report%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2050209&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<p>China is investing billions of\u2064 dollars every year to spread\u200d disinformation\u200c and propaganda worldwide. With the help of artificial \u200cintelligence, the communist regime is on the verge of being able to strategically target foreign audiences with its influence operations, according to a report released on Sept. 28.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2>The Chinese Communist Party&#8217;s Global Influence<\/h2>\n<p>The State \u200bDepartment&#8217;s Global Engagement Center (GEC) recently released a report highlighting the Chinese Communist Party&#8217;s (CCP) extensive history of distorting facts. The report reveals that the\u200c CCP is now spreading &#8220;false\u2062 or biased \u200cpro-PRC content&#8221; globally \u200dwhile suppressing \u200bdissenting voices. The GEC report explains that the CCP has been using information manipulation since its establishment in 1921 to \u2062ensure its survival and increase its power. As the\u2064 People&#8217;s\u200c Republic of China (PRC) \u2064seeks to \u200breshape the international order, it continues to \u2064leverage propaganda and censorship, building on its legacy.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h2 class=\"mb-3 font-sans text-[16px] font-semibold uppercase leading-[19px] text-[#2F2F2F]\">Related Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li>\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/epochtv\/house-select-committee-on-ccp-discusses-chinese-communist-partys-propaganda-and-censorship-5490953?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>House Select Committee on CCP Discusses &#8216;Chinese Communist \u2062Party&#8217;s Propaganda and Censorship&#8217;<\/h3>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/13\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<li>\n<div class=\"grow\">\n<div class=\"mb-1 line-clamp-2\">\n<a href=\"http:\/\/www.theepochtimes.com\/us\/china-based-hackers-impersonated-us-voters-with-ai-generated-propaganda-during-2022-elections-microsoft-5487917?ea_src=author_manual&#038;ea_med=related_stories\"><\/p>\n<h3>China-Based\u2062 Hackers Impersonated US Voters With AI-generated Propaganda During 2022 Elections: Microsoft<\/h3>\n<p><\/a>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"text-comp-caption text-[14px] leading-[18px]\">9\/7\/2023<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>To enhance the dissemination of its preferred narratives, Chinese leader Xi Jinping has adopted \u200ca more centralized approach \u2064in\u200b the past decade. The United Front Work Department (UFWD), a key state agency responsible for carrying out influence activities abroad,\u2064 has \u2062received increased funding and central coordination. The GEC report emphasizes \u200bthat China&#8217;s spending on\u200d its information ecosystem, \u2063where\u200b Chinese propaganda and \u200cdisinformation dominate, is already in the billions and continues to\u2064 grow.<\/p>\n<p>If China&#8217;s\u200d efforts go unchecked, the report \u200bwarns that it could create\u200c biases and gaps that lead nations to prioritize Beijing&#8217;s interests \u200dover their own economic \u200dand security concerns.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h2>X and\u2064 TikTok<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The report provides \u2064an example of Chinese influence operations involving over \u200c1,000 pro-China accounts on X \u200b(formerly known as\u200d Twitter). These accounts attempted \u2063to bury a 2022 report\u200b by\u2063 Spain-based advocacy group \u2062Safeguard Defenders, which exposed China&#8217;s secret operation of over 100 police\u200c stations in 53\u200b countries, including\u200b the United States. The GEC \u2063report reveals \u200bthat the pro-PRC accounts generated spam posts using \u2062the same name as \u2062Safeguard Defenders, potentially triggering Twitter&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/china-spending-billions-on-disinformation-targeting-global-audiences-report\/\" title=\"China is investing billions in disinformation campaigns worldwide, says report.\">automatic de-boosting response<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>In April, the FBI \u2062arrested two individuals for operating a Chinese police station in New York City, where they allegedly received\u2063 orders from the CCP to track\u2063 down and\u2062 silence\u200c Chinese dissidents.<\/p>\n<p>The\u200d report also \u200bhighlights TikTok, a Chinese-owned video-sharing app, as an example of how Chinese social media\u200b platforms can \u2064be used by the CCP \u2064to censor views and promote\u2063 its narratives. TikTok&#8217;s owner, ByteDance, has maintained \u2064an internal list \u200dof\u200b individuals likely blocked or restricted from\u200b all ByteDance platforms, including TikTok, for reasons such as advocating for\u200b Uyghur independence. This list aims to \u200cprevent criticism of the \u2063PRC government from spreading on ByteDance-owned platforms.<\/p>\n<p>Cybersecurity firm Internet 2.0 reported that TikTok harvested users&#8217; data, including locations, contacts, and passwords. Concerns about TikTok&#8217;s \u200dimpact on \u200cnational security\u2062 have led several countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK, and\u200d the United \u200cStates, \u200dto ban the\u200d app from government devices.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h2>Tactics<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The GEC report reveals\u2063 that the CCP has sought partnerships \u2064with \u2062other \u200ccountries to amplify its preferred narratives. Beijing and Moscow agreed \u2063to &#8220;jointly combat disinformation&#8221; \u2064in July 2020. However, \u2063the report explains that Beijing&#8217;s definition of &#8220;disinformation&#8221; refers to narratives \u2062it perceives as threatening\u200d its interests.<\/p>\n<p>Following Russia&#8217;s invasion of Ukraine, the CCP has amplified Russian \u2063disinformation, including \u2062echoing Moscow&#8217;s accusations that the\u200b United States is escalating the war in Ukraine. \u2063In\u2063 return, Russia promotes PRC\u200b propaganda \u2062related to Taiwan and other Chinese interests.<\/p>\n<p>To \u2063influence Chinese-speaking diaspora communities, the CCP exploits the Chinese messaging app WeChat, using it as a conduit for disinformation. \u2064China&#8217;s state-run accounts \u200don WeChat aim to \u2062isolate the \u200bdiaspora\u200d from host societies, increase loyalty to the PRC, and undermine\u200d the legitimacy\u2064 of democratic \u200dsystems.<\/p>\n<p>Canada-based digital watchdog Citizen Lab revealed that WeChat\u200d monitors \u2064communications\u2064 between its users outside of China to improve its \u200balgorithm for censoring China-based accounts.<\/p>\n<p>The GEC report also exposes \u2062the CCP&#8217;s use\u200c of &#8220;manufactured\u2062 persona&#8221; to attribute \u200darticles, deceptively promoting CCP propaganda \u2064narratives through local \u2063media outlets. One \u200dexample\u2064 is the manufactured persona named &#8220;Yi Fan,&#8221;\u2064 whose arguments align closely \u200cwith\u2064 CCP \u2063narratives on various global \u200dtopics.<\/p>\n<p>While China has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/with-shinzo-abes-death-japan-and-taiwan-have-lost-a-strong-advocate\/\" title=\"With Shinzo Abe\u2019s Death, Japan And Taiwan Have Lost A Strong Advocate\">achieved mixed results<\/a> with its propaganda and \u2063censorship, the\u2064 GEC report emphasizes the severe\u2064 consequences if the CCP&#8217;s global narratives prevail. \u200cIt could lead to the \u200dreshaping of the international order at the expense of individual liberties and national sovereignty worldwide.<\/p>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> What\u200c are the potential \u2063implications of\u200d the CCP&#8217;s unchecked growth of influence operations aided by AI?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Nvolvement in spreading disinformation and propaganda have led \u2063to bans and controversies in several countries, including\u200b the United \u2063States and India.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h2>The Role of Artificial Intelligence<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>One of\u200b the most concerning aspects of the CCP&#8217;s influence operations is its utilization of artificial \u2064intelligence (AI) technology. \u2064The GEC report highlights how the CCP is on the verge of being able to strategically target foreign audiences using AI-powered disinformation campaigns. With \u2064AI algorithms, \u2063the \u200dCCP can\u2063 analyze vast amounts of data and tailor their propaganda messages to specific demographics, amplifying their influence and shaping public opinion.<\/p>\n<p>AI-powered deepfake technology is another tool the CCP can employ\u2064 for its propaganda purposes. Deepfakes allow for \u2062the creation of realistic-looking, but \u200bfabricated, videos that can deceive\u2064 viewers and \u200bfurther manipulate public perception. This\u200d technology, combined with targeted messaging, can be\u2063 a potent weapon for the CCP in advancing its global agenda.<\/p>\n<p>The \u200creport warns that the unchecked growth of the \u2064CCP&#8217;s influence operations, aided by AI, could have \u200bfar-reaching implications for democratic societies, as it undermines independent media, fosters division, and promotes authoritarian values.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h2>The Need for Vigilance<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The GEC report emphasizes the importance of international cooperation in countering \u2063the CCP&#8217;s disinformation and propaganda efforts. \u200cIt calls for democracies to form alliances and share information, tools, and best practices\u2063 to effectively combat the \u200binfluence operations\u2064 carried out by the CCP.<\/p>\n<p>Nations across the globe must take steps \u200cto protect\u200b their information ecosystems from\u200d foreign interference. Increased transparency and regulation of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/the-new-acting-attorney-general-jeff-rosen-recently-wrote-an-essay-on-foreign-influence-in-us-elections-this-tells-us-a-little-about-his-knowledge-of-whats-going-on-today\/\" title=\"The New Acting Attorney General Jeff Rosen Recently Wrote an Essay on Foreign Influence in US Elections \u2013 This Tells Us A Little About His Knowledge of What\u2019s Going On Today\">social media platforms<\/a> can help mitigate \u2064the spread\u2062 of disinformation and ensure that users are aware of the sources\u2063 and intentions behind\u200d the content \u200bthey consume.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, media literacy and critical thinking should be \u200cpromoted to enable individuals to discern fact from fiction and\u2063 identify propaganda techniques. \u200bEducation, both in schools and among the general public, plays a crucial role in countering the influence of\u200d disinformation campaigns.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<h2>Conclusion<\/h2>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>The CCP&#8217;s extensive history of distorting facts and spreading propaganda is now being amplified by its investment in AI and \u2064technological advancements. As the CCP seeks to reshape the international order, its global\u2064 influence operations pose a threat \u200cto democratic societies and independent media.<\/p>\n<p>It is imperative \u2064for nations to recognize the magnitude of this threat and take proactive \u2064measures to safeguard their information ecosystems. \u2062By strengthening international cooperation, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/meet-ad-fontes-media-the-lefts-latest-tool-for-annihilating-conservative-voices-like-the-federalist\/\" title=\"Introducing 'Ad Fontes Media': The Left's New Weapon Against Conservative Voices, Including The Federalist.\">promoting media literacy<\/a>, and implementing necessary regulations, societies can \u200ceffectively combat the spread of disinformation and protect their democratic values.<\/p>\n<p>The battle against \u200cthe CCP&#8217;s disinformation and\u2064 propaganda is not only a fight for truth but also a fight \u2064for the preservation of democratic \u200cprinciples and the freedom of information.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>China spends billions of dollars each year spreading disinformation and propaganda globally. With the aid of artificial intelligence, the communist regime will soon have the ability to precisely target foreign audiences with its influence campaigns, warns a report by the State Department&#8217;s Global Engagement Center (GEC) on Sept. 28.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":252,"featured_media":2050210,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2050209","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-epoch-times"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2050209","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/252"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2050209"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2050209\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2050210"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2050209"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2050209"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2050209"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}