cross-posted from: https://lemmy.sdf.org/post/52690219
The scale and intensity of Chinese interference in Europe’s information space is rising, a report by European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) has found.
Russian efforts at foreign manipulation across Europe are well recognised, but China is now catching up. And it has its own very particular ways of interfering in the European information space—“borrowing mouths” of useful locals; getting “news” articles repurposed across outlets hungry for content; and spreading “facts” that become accepted as truth. These accompany China’s self-promotion as the inevitable coming power: images of Chinese high-speed rail and new cities interweave with messages casting doubt on the future of Western democracy and progress.
[There is also a brief summary of the report by Propastop, a volunteer-run anti-propaganda organization.]
The report describes several recurring techniques used by the Chinese Communist Party:
‘Borrowed mouths’: Chinese messages are often spread by local opinion leaders, such as journalists, academics, or influencers. Because the message does not come directly from a Chinese state institution but through a local individual, it comes across as more credible.
Sponsored collaboration is frequently used for this purpose: paid posts, covered trips, or other benefits whose aim is to shape a more positive image of China. This is not incidental cooperation but a deliberate strategy in which the credibility of messages is built through their apparent ‘local’ origin.
Information laundering: Narratives created in Chinese state media do not necessarily reach European audiences directly. Instead, they travel through various channels, such as smaller media outlets, blogs, or third-party platforms. Each step reduces the visibility of the original source.
The result is content that appears to be part of local media or analysis, even though its roots extend back to Chinese state communication structures.
Message concealment (cloaking): This technique differs from information laundering in that content does not travel through multiple intermediaries; instead, its true origin is concealed from the outset.
Content produced by Chinese state media may appear in the European information environment in a form that gives the impression of an independent or local source. For example, articles or videos may be produced by Chinese state structures but presented in a way that does not indicate their true origin.
This approach makes influence operations particularly difficult to detect, as the audience has no means of assessing the actual origin and interests behind the source.
‘Bait-and-switch’: Some accounts initially build a following with neutral content, such as travel or cultural topics. Once an audience has formed and trust has been established, the same channels gradually begin sharing political messages as well.
This approach makes it possible to reach people who would not consciously seek out or consume political propaganda.
Amplification of existing messages: China does not always create new narratives but frequently exploits existing debates.
According to ECFR, Chinese channels actively amplify the views of European politicians, activists, and opinion leaders when these align with Chinese interests. For example, criticism of NATO, the European Union, or the United States may gain greater international reach through Chinese media channels.
In this way, China does not need to create the message itself — it is sufficient to highlight existing opinions and increase their international resonance.”
What Stories Are Being Spread?
According to the report, China does not spread random messages in Europe but rather recurring and clearly distinguishable narratives.
China as a stable and successful great power — Chinese state communication portrays the country as economically successful, technologically advanced, and politically stable. The aim is to present China as a functioning alternative to the Western democratic model.
The political and economic decline of the West — A second recurring narrative focuses on the problems of Europe and the United States. Political polarisation, economic difficulties, and social tensions are emphasised in order to create the impression of a weakening Western system.
Reframing Russian aggression — The Chinese media space circulates a narrative according to which the war in Ukraine is not solely Russia’s responsibility, but in which NATO expansion played a role in its genesis. ___