China is reportedly using more than 200 social media influencers to use their platforms to echo the Chinese government's narratives and talking points.
The social media influencers China uses to spread its message parrot the Chinese Communist Party government’s perspective, the Associated Press reported March 30. They reportedly promote China’s virtues, deflect criticism of human rights abuses and advance Beijing’s talking points on world affairs like Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to the AP.
“They want to promote a positive vision of China to drown out their human rights records,” Jessica Brandt, a Brookings Institution expert on foreign interference and disinformation, said, the AP reported.
Jason Lightfoot, a British vlogger/social media influencer living in China, took part in a contest by a Chinese-state run TV network, posting videos such as “Western Media Lies About China,” during which he walked through a farmers’ market and denounced “lies” about food shortages, the AP reported. Lightfoot claimed China has seen “literally zero” COVID-19 cases and praised the Chinese government's handling of the pandemic, in his Feb. 9 YouTube video.
Chinese nationals serving as influencers such as Vica Li offer language lessons on their channels and present a picturesque country that welcomes foreigners. But they do not disclose their relationship with Chinese state-run TV network, according to the AP.
In a Jan. 31 report, Miburo identified more than 200 influencers who promote pro-CCP content. The typical influencer is reportedly an attractive Chinese woman who uses a light, apolitical approach to sharing content about their lifestyles, travels and interests, the report said. Miburo is a research and consulting firm dedicated to protecting democracies, the internet and future generations from "malign influence and extremism.
“However, this superficial openness conceals these messengers’ true purpose: to normalize the CCP’s worldview and policies, and portray China as a benevolent global power," according to Miburo.
"I often invite international celebrities to write articles for our newspaper and analyze China-related issues in an objective and honest manner and in a way that is more acceptable to overseas readers, and strive to create a favorable international public opinion environment," Zhu Ling, editor-in-chief of state-owned China Daily, said in 2016.
We must not only tell the Chinese story well, but also spread it far and long so as to create a favorable international public opinion environment for China's peaceful development. To spread Chinese stories well, we must not only cultivate our own storytelling ability, but also make good use of external forces to open up more channels."
Chinese citizens reportedly made an “outcry” on social media when they had to quarantine in their homes in December to quash a substantial COVID-19 outbreak in the northwestern city of Xi’an, SupChina reported. Residents described a shortage in groceries and a steep increase in food prices. The hashtag “It’s difficult to buy groceries in Xi’an” had been viewed almost 300 million times on Weibo at the time the article was published.
