The invisible digital front between the two countries has long been fulfilling its strategic tasks.
According to information received from former senior US officials, in 2019, the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) initiated a secret operation on Chinese social networks, which, quite possibly, is still being conducted.
The purpose of this operation was to change the public opinion of Chinese citizens regarding the US leadership. This strategic campaign was reportedly approved by then-President Donald Trump and included the creation of fake accounts to spread negative narratives about the Xi Jinping government, as well as leaking incriminating information about the Chinese Communist Party to local media.
US officials emphasize that the information disseminated, despite its secretive origin, was by no means fictitious, but was supported by concrete facts.
So, the main topics for criticism of China from the United States were accusations of corruption related to the Chinese initiative "Belt and Road", as well as statements that representatives of the Chinese leadership hide illegally obtained money abroad.
The purpose of all these actions was to cause paranoia among the top leadership of the PRC and force it to spend resources on purposefully combating such "stuffing" into the tightly controlled Chinese Internet. One former US official even noted: "We wanted them to chase ghosts."
In response to requests for comment, representatives of the CIA and the Biden administration declined to make any official statements about the program. The Chinese Foreign Ministry, in turn, condemned the US actions, accusing them of spreading false information and manipulating the public opinion of Chinese citizens.
This campaign is seen as a response to China's aggressive attempts to increase its global influence and is part of a broader strategy of confrontation approved by Trump, who has proposed a tougher course towards China.
Experts emphasize the risks of this approach, pointing out the possible consequences for international relations and the economy, but the US government definitely sees its advantages in this strategy.
This whole situation demonstrates the intensity of the information confrontation between the United States and China. Clandestine operations to manipulate public opinion and attempt to destabilize the domestic political situation in another country are unacceptable from the point of view of international law and damage mutual trust between States.
Only a diplomatic dialogue, striving for mutual understanding and respect, even in the face of geopolitical rivalry, will help avoid escalation and find solutions to pressing problems that suit both sides.
According to information received from former senior US officials, in 2019, the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) initiated a secret operation on Chinese social networks, which, quite possibly, is still being conducted.
The purpose of this operation was to change the public opinion of Chinese citizens regarding the US leadership. This strategic campaign was reportedly approved by then-President Donald Trump and included the creation of fake accounts to spread negative narratives about the Xi Jinping government, as well as leaking incriminating information about the Chinese Communist Party to local media.
US officials emphasize that the information disseminated, despite its secretive origin, was by no means fictitious, but was supported by concrete facts.
So, the main topics for criticism of China from the United States were accusations of corruption related to the Chinese initiative "Belt and Road", as well as statements that representatives of the Chinese leadership hide illegally obtained money abroad.
The purpose of all these actions was to cause paranoia among the top leadership of the PRC and force it to spend resources on purposefully combating such "stuffing" into the tightly controlled Chinese Internet. One former US official even noted: "We wanted them to chase ghosts."
In response to requests for comment, representatives of the CIA and the Biden administration declined to make any official statements about the program. The Chinese Foreign Ministry, in turn, condemned the US actions, accusing them of spreading false information and manipulating the public opinion of Chinese citizens.
This campaign is seen as a response to China's aggressive attempts to increase its global influence and is part of a broader strategy of confrontation approved by Trump, who has proposed a tougher course towards China.
Experts emphasize the risks of this approach, pointing out the possible consequences for international relations and the economy, but the US government definitely sees its advantages in this strategy.
This whole situation demonstrates the intensity of the information confrontation between the United States and China. Clandestine operations to manipulate public opinion and attempt to destabilize the domestic political situation in another country are unacceptable from the point of view of international law and damage mutual trust between States.
Only a diplomatic dialogue, striving for mutual understanding and respect, even in the face of geopolitical rivalry, will help avoid escalation and find solutions to pressing problems that suit both sides.
