China's Disinformation Dissemination Patterns in 2024
ROC National Security Bureau (NSB)
2025-01-03
In recent years, China has consistently utilized hybrid methods against Taiwan, attempting to undermine public confidence in the government and heighten social divisions. To help the general public be aware of the methods and patterns of China's disinformation campaign over the year, and increase their vigilance, the NSB has compiled a report titled "China's Disinformation Dissemination Patterns in 2024."
In terms of trends and developments, statistics show that in 2024, 2.159 million instances of disinformation were recorded, exceeding the 2023 total of 1.329 million. Moreover, Facebook (FB) is the primary platform for disinformation dissemination, showing a 40% increase compared to 2023. The amount of disinformation spread on video platforms, forums, and X has then grown significantly (151%, 664%, and 244%, respectively), indicating that the young generation is the primary target of these disinformation campaigns. Besides, in 2024, 28,216 inauthentic accounts were reported, an increase of 11,661 sets compared to 2023. FB had 21,967 inauthentic accounts, making it the primary platform for such activity. There was also a significant increase in inauthentic accounts on TikTok, X, and Douyin. This phenomenon demonstrates that Taiwanese users' changing habits of social media usage have driven the development of inauthentic account activities.
In terms of methods and patterns, China extensively uses inauthentic accounts to flood comment sections on social media platforms used by Taiwanese people, spreading manipulated videos and meme images. Moreover, China steals Taiwanese users' social media accounts to spread disinformation. In addition, China utilizes AI technology to generate disinformation. For instance, China has been using Deepfake technology to fabricate video clips of Taiwanese political figures' speeches, attempting to mislead the Taiwanese public's perception and understanding. In particular, China actively establishes convergence media brands or proxy accounts on platforms such as Weibo, TikTok, and Instagram, working to spread official media content and Taiwan-focused propaganda. For instance, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Global Times have established proxy accounts, such as "Chaoyang Shaoxia"（朝陽少俠）and "BuYiDao,"（補壹刀, meaning "make up for it"） to spread disinformation undermining Taiwan-US relations extensively. Additionally, TikTok accounts such as "Taiwan XiaMi Gong" （臺灣蝦米貢, meaning "Chat casually in Taiwan"）and "Wanwan FaDianJi" （灣灣發電姬, meaning "Taiwan Power Hime"） maintain close ties with China's official media outlet "Strait Herald," amplifying China's official statements regarding Taiwan. China commissioned the Chinese public relations firm Shenzhen Haimai Yunxiang Media to create fake media outlets such as the Czech "Bohemia Daily" and Spanish "Güell Herald." These sites redistributed reports from a Chinese state media outlet, promoting the "One China" principle.
Currently, Taiwan has established a "whole-of-government" mechanism to provide real-time reporting and jointly counter China's cognitive warfare threats. In 2024, 3,900 instances of disinformation were reported to government ministries and departments to support their response planning. Additionally, the NSB shared disinformation prevention experiences with like-minded countries through more than 100 international exchange activities in 2024, assisting international democratic community in building capacity to counter cognitive warfare from authoritarian countries.
For more information, please refer to
China's Disinformation Dissemination Patterns in 2024
Secretariat
National Security Bureau
Republic of China (Taiwan)
January 2, 2025
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