Taiwan Accuses China of Using Disinformation to “Undermine Its Democracy”

Taiwan’s government has accused China of intensifying its efforts to erode trust in the island’s democracy and its close ties with the U.S. through disinformation campaigns, particularly online.

The National Security Bureau reported that the number of fake or biased pieces of information distributed by China rose by 60% last year, reaching 2.6 million compared to 1.33 million in 2023.

The brief report, released Friday, cited “controversial information” but did not specify further. It said Facebook and X were the primary channels for disinformation, alongside platforms like TikTok, which specifically target young audiences.

The report explained that China has created “fake accounts” to spread propaganda on YouTube, used AI to generate deepfake videos, and flooded comment sections with pro-China statements. For years, China has leveraged global social media platforms to push its narratives, even though these platforms are banned within its borders.

Notably, Beijing already holds significant influence over Taiwanese newspapers and other traditional media through the business interests of their owners in China.