China’s Vice President Han Zheng addressed the UN General Assembly on Thursday. Along with retreads of established Chinese positions on Taiwan, Ukraine, and the Israel/Palestine conflict, his comments also provided interesting clues about China’s messaging to the Global South.
First, he called on the international community to “follow the direction of a multipolar world” with the UN at its center. I wonder how opinion within Beijing’s inner circles breaks down around the bipolarity/multipolarity issue, considering ...
Category: Propaganda
China’s Tactics and Methods to Influence African Media
Confucius Institutes (CIs) were once known only for teaching Mandarin language and culture classes but the organization's mission has evolved recently to now include "training" sessions for African journalists on how to cover China. CIs ...
Report: Suspected Chinese State-Backed Disinformation Campaign Targeting Latin America Detected
Suspected Chinese state-backed entities launched a series of Twitter accounts to disseminate pro-China messaging to audiences in several Latin American countries, including Paraguay, Costa Rica, Chile and Brazil, among others, according to the findings in a new report published by the U.S.-based cyber intelligence firm Nisos.
Arab League Officials Tour Xinjiang to See How China “Respects and Safeguards Human Rights”
A 34-member delegation from the Arab League spent four days last week touring Xinjiang as part of a junket organized by the Chinese government. Chinese propaganda said the visit was specifically intended to refute Western media accusations about the well-documented mass incarceration ...
China’s Mixed Success With Media Influence in Africa
Although now more than a decade old, China's large media presence in Africa remains poorly understood on the continent and by most foreign observers. While investment to expand TV broadcaster CGTN, China Daily and China Radio International's footprint on the continent ...
Botched U.S. Evacuation From Sudan Turns Into Propaganda Victory For China
One of China's most senior diplomats in Africa, Ambassador Chen Xiaodong in South Africa, took to Twitter to brag that once again, his country seemingly outperformed the United States in evacuating its nationals from a conflict zone in North Africa. Chen's Tweet was ...
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
Unpacking Han Zheng’s Messaging to the Global South at the UN General Assembly
Awards for Online Influencers From Global South Countries Who “Tell Good China Stories”
Chinese propaganda authorities recognized seven online content influencers from various countries around the world, including Cameroon and Iran for their contributions to "presenting a true, panoramic view of China." The awards were given on Friday at the inaugural China Storyteller ...
China Leverages African Media Outlets to Hit Back on Debt
Emerging Chinese government messaging on debt is now showing up in African publications via state-owned media outlets like Xinhua. This comes as Beijing is increasingly focusing on the role of Western lenders in Global South debt distress. WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT? China ...
Mechanisms for ‘Telling Chinese Stories Well’: Chinese Influence on Foreign Media
By James Sundquist The “Rise of China” is one of the great stories of this century. But how is this story told? Is the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) about South-South cooperation or debt-trap diplomacy? How much attention should be paid ...
It’s the West’s Fault, Not Russia’s There Are Food Shortages in Africa, According to Chinese State Media
Chinese state media is promoting the narrative that the worsening food crisis in Africa is due to Western sanctions against Russia rather than because Moscow invaded a sovereign country. CGTN published a short clip on Tuesday of an ...
China’s Discourse Power in Africa and the Global South
China, like all major governments, uses a variety of tools and methods to influence international public opinion. Some, like CGTN, China Daily, and China Radio International, serve as conventional propaganda that is easy to identify; other tactics are far more subtle ...