Today Taiwan’s National Security Bureau made a shocking revelation: a 60% increase in false or biased information spread by China last year, totalling up to 2.16 million pieces. These misinformation campaigns aimed at undermining the island’s democracy and its close ties with the United States.
According to the reports, China has been working through social media platforms like Facebook, X, and TikTok to spread disinformation, targeting the younger generation. They have created several fake accounts on YouTube, using AI to generate fake videos and flooding the comment section with pro-China comments.
China claims Taiwan as its own territory, with leader Xi Jinping stating that the unification is inevitable and won’t be interrupted by outsider forces, likely referring to the USA. Beijing has a huge influence on Taiwanese newspapers and traditional media through business interests in mainland.
Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te vowed to keep protecting the island from China’s influence and strengthen its defence systems. He said, “Taiwan considers itself as a crucial part of the global ‘line of defence of democracy’ against authoritarian rule.”
The site has raised concern about the potential impact of China’s disinformation campaign on Taiwan’s upcoming presidential election.
