China’s Role in Spreading Russian Disinformation During the Ukrainian Conflict
China’s support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine has been evident in the country’s state-controlled media, which has largely used Russian state media stories and information from Russian officials, including echoing misinformation and conspiracy theories. The Chinese media has been using its platform to spread pro-Kremlin talking points about the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine after Russian media advertisement buys were banned by Meta Platforms.
The China Global Television Network (CGTN) paid for digital ads on Facebook targeting global users with briefings and newscasts featuring pro-Kremlin talking points about the invasion, despite the fact that the platform had banned Russian state media advertisement buys. CGTN also repeated unsubstantiated Russian claims of biological weapons labs in Ukraine. This demonstrates the extent to which China is willing to align itself with Russian disinformation efforts.
In addition to the dissemination of pro-Kremlin messages, the Chinese media has also actively censored news reports that are negative about Russia or pro-West. An internal directive from Beijing News, which was leaked, ordered its employees not to publish news reports that were negative about Russia or pro-West. This shows how China is using its media to influence public opinion in support of Russia.
Social media platforms have also been affected by the Chinese media’s propaganda efforts. TikTok, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, has been criticized for censoring content critical of Russia and allowing pro-Kremlin content to proliferate on the platform. TikTok has also blocked foreign accounts and critics of the war, while permitting Russian state media to continue posting. As a result, the platform has become dominated by pro-war content, creating a “splinternet” within a global social media platform.
This censorship has not gone unnoticed, and several history professors have penned an open letter opposing China’s support for “Russia’s war against Ukraine.” However, the post was quickly deleted by censors, demonstrating the extent to which the Chinese government is willing to suppress dissenting opinions.
It is important to note that Ukrainian media has also been accused of using propaganda stories, although these efforts have been much more limited than Russia’s disinformation campaign. Both sides have been accused of exaggerating the military losses of the opposing side while minimizing their own.
In conclusion, the Chinese media’s support for Russia’s actions in Ukraine is a cause for concern. The Chinese media has been using its platform to spread pro-Kremlin messages and actively censor news reports critical of Russia. This demonstrates China’s willingness to align itself with Russian disinformation efforts and its disregard for freedom of expression. It is important for individuals to remain vigilant and fact-check information to prevent the spread of false information and propaganda.
