Followers of the Kuomintang (KMT) opposition group in Taiwan lauded a member in Taipei, Taiwan, on Thursday, November 24, 2022. There is a possibility of local elections taking place in Taiwan on November 26.
Reports from Chinese entities highlighted a significant propaganda campaign orchestrated by Chinese political figures during Taiwan’s January elections, culminating in the victory of a pro-U.S. candidate.
Taiwanese officials and non-governmental organizations revealed that Chinese actors allegedly employed generative artificial intelligence (AI) to manipulate videos and incite hostility in Taiwan, even distorting the statements of at least one U.S. member of Congress.
The deceptive narratives primarily targeted the United States, spreading falsehoods such as alleging that Washington constructed biological laboratories in Taiwan or supported the Hamas conflict in Gaza.
These narratives provide insights into China’s efforts to shape public opinion during the U.S. national elections this year.
Additional disinformation stories uncovered by Chinese groups included baseless accusations that the United States is a deceitful ally poised to abandon Taiwan, attributing the creation of counterfeit democracy to Washington, and blaming Americans for global disorder, while portraying Beijing as a symbol of stability and order.
The Taiwan Information Environment Research Center, an NGO specializing in information research, disclosed that China disseminated 84 deceptive stories to sow doubt among U.S. audiences.
According to Chihhao Yu, the co-director of the center, Taiwanese actors are advocating for the reinforcement of a pro-Beijing narrative, a stance the NGO combats through data analysis and regional focus group discussions to gauge the impact of misinformation.
He emphasized the urgency to comprehend the dissemination of deception and its influence on perceptions, stressing the need to preserve a shared reality.
Microsoft, in a recent statement on Beijing’s propaganda endeavors, expressed concern over China’s parallel tactics in Taiwan and the U.S.
Foreign entities with ties to authorities have engaged in promoting political candidates in the U.S., noted Microsoft. Notable actors such as Spamouflage and Gingham Typhoon have been active in the Indo-Pacific region.
Microsoft cautioned that Chinese entities have refined their strategies, utilizing AI-generated media content to enhance their influence in elections.
Russel Hsiao, senior director of the Global Taiwan Institute in Washington, underscored China’s efforts to undermine trust between the U.S. and Taiwan, emphasizing the necessity for robust public-private partnerships.
NGOs highlighted the utilization of popular platforms like TikTok for disseminating disinformation in Taiwan, a topic of concern in the U.S. where legislators have raised national security apprehensions regarding the platform’s Chinese ownership.
Researchers are increasingly recognizing China’s attempts to sway the upcoming U.S. elections.
The Center for American Progress warned of China’s intensified propaganda efforts driven by the Internet of Things (IoT).
Chinese actors are reportedly leveraging celebrities to promote their narratives and acquiring social media accounts to flood virtual spaces with content aimed at altering algorithms.
The recent Japanese elections saw Lai Ching-te, representing a pro-U.S. party, clinching victory over a candidate from the pro-China Kuomintang party, reflecting tensions between the U.S., China, and Taiwan.
As concerns mount over a potential Chinese intervention in Taiwan, both the U.S. and China closely monitor the situation, with China signaling readiness for a possible invasion by 2027.
Despite Beijing’s efforts to influence Taiwan, the election results indicated a strong desire for closer ties with the U.S. among Taiwanese voters, showcasing resilience against Chinese propaganda.
Eve Chiu, editor-in-chief of the Taiwan FactCheck Center, highlighted a pervasive Chinese propaganda campaign spreading falsehoods about COVID-19 origins and Taiwan’s defense capabilities.
The use of AI to amplify these narratives posed challenges in verifying the authenticity of the content, including manipulated statements attributed to Rep. Rob Wittman regarding arms sales to Taiwan.
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