The Office of the Director of National Intelligence recently issued a warning in its Annual Threat Assessment about China’s increasingly aggressive efforts to influence U.S. public discourse and apply pressure on Taiwan. The report also highlighted China’s potential use of military force and disinformation to achieve its goals.
Taiwan’s President-elect, William Lai Ching-te, is set to take office next month. As tensions rise, China may resort to information warfare and military tactics to assert control over Taiwan.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) has emphasized the importance of “cognitive domain operations” to weaken an adversary’s will and leadership effectiveness. This includes spreading disinformation, a strategy that China has been using against Taiwan for years.
China’s disinformation efforts against Taiwan would likely target multiple audiences, including its own citizens, the Taiwanese society, and the international community. By undermining Taiwan’s leadership and military capabilities, China aims to increase its influence and justify its actions.
In response, concerned parties could collaborate to analyze China’s disinformation tactics and develop strategies to counter them. This could involve enhancing media literacy, promoting whole-of-society resilience, and limiting China’s control over global social media platforms.
To deter China’s ambitions in the Taiwan Strait, it is essential for democracies to work together and act decisively. By learning from Taiwan’s experiences in safeguarding its democracy, nations can better defend against external threats and preserve their freedoms.