POLITICS
How did President Trump’s CIA secretly target Chinese social media?
Information has emerged on the intensifying rivalry between the U.S. and China across multiple fronts, including technology, trade, and strategic influence.
In a clandestine move two years into his presidency, Donald Trump authorised the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to launch a covert operation targeting Chinese social media, aiming to sway public opinion against the government of President Xi Jinping. Former U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the operation revealed to Reuters the existence of this highly classified initiative, which commenced in 2019.
“We wanted them chasing ghosts”
Trump’s covert China operation
As Joel Schectman and Christopher Bing report for the news agency, the CIA formed a specialized team tasked with disseminating negative narratives about the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and its leadership, utilising fake online personas to propagate disparaging content while leaking intelligence to foreign news outlets. This effort, previously undisclosed, underscores the escalating tension between the United States and China amid the latter’s expanding global influence.
The campaign strategically highlighted allegations of corruption within the CCP and criticised China’s Belt and Road Initiative, a cornerstone of its foreign policy for infrastructure development. While specific details of these operations remain undisclosed, former officials asserted that the narratives were grounded in factual intelligence, albeit disseminated under false pretenses.
“We wanted them chasing ghosts,” remarked one former official, emphasising the intention to sow paranoia within China’s leadership ranks and strain resources in monitoring online activity. However, the impact and current status of the operation under the Biden administration remain uncertain, with White House and CIA representatives declining to comment on its existence or continuity.
China reaction to U.S. tactics
The authorisation for this covert campaign came amidst growing concerns over China’s aggressive tactics to bolster its global influence, prompting a shift in U.S. strategy reminiscent of Cold War-era political warfare. Tim Weiner, an expert on espionage history, likened the situation to a revived Cold War, signalling a return to covert methods in geopolitical competition, as per the report published on Thursday.
However, the operation against Beijing carries significant risks, including potential retaliation from China, a global economic powerhouse capable of imposing trade sanctions and other measures in response. Paul Heer, a former senior CIA analyst, highlighted the potential economic repercussions, citing China’s previous actions against countries like Australia following diplomatic disputes. The current debate over TikTok is clearly relevant.
The revelation of the covert campaign underscores the intensifying rivalry between the United States and China across multiple fronts, including technology, trade, and strategic influence. As the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, covert operations such as these may become increasingly common tools in the arsenal of nations vying for supremacy in the international arena.