The CIA allegedly launched a covert operation to troll Chinese officials and turn public opinion against them through leaked information and negative news on social media.
Reuters According to a report, the operation began in 2019 and was also aimed at creating paranoia within the Xi Jinping government. CIA officers reportedly created fake social media accounts to spread rumors, including rumors that Communist Party members hid ill-gotten wealth abroad and financed infrastructure projects in other countries. He also criticized the Chinese government's efforts, claiming that its programs are corrupt.
CIA declined comment Reuters, Could not check if program still exists. Reuters The operation, authorized by then-President Donald Trump, said it went beyond China and used social media to influence public opinion in Southeast Asia, Africa and the South Pacific. China's Belt and Road Initiative, which has given subsidies and loans to infrastructure projects, is active in developing countries in these regions. This effort was one of the goals of his CIA program.
Social media-based propaganda by state actors is not new, but news stories are increasingly about other countries targeting the United States. Russia has been accused multiple times of creating fake accounts and troll farms to influence U.S. public opinion, and a former ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin last year created a network of troll farms to interfere in U.S. elections. He admitted that he had established a farm. same year, rolling stone It said a China-based network created fake far-right publications and pushed fake articles to social media users in Europe. Meanwhile, American politicians, in calling for a ban on TikTok, argue that the Chinese government could use the social media platform to spy on or influence users.
