China seeks to weaken Taiwanese resolve to defend nation: Report

Taipei, March 6 (CNA) China has been working to disseminate disinformation about Taiwan's military in an attempt to ultimately weaken public resolve to defend the nation, a 2024 research report showed on Thursday.

The report was presented during an online forum titled "Geopolitics, PRC Information Manipulation and Taiwan's Resilience" organized by the Information Operations Research Group (IORG), a civil data science research organization that seeks to spread public awareness of information manipulation.

The Chinese Communist Party's (CCP) disinformation campaign against Taiwan stems from its ambition to annex the island as well as efforts to undermine the latter's democracy and human rights, the IORG said in its report.

Through information manipulation, the CCP seeks to create an alternative worldview that aligns with its interests, erode Taiwan's national identity, weaken public support for democracy, and diminish their will and determination to defend the country, it said.

The disinformation campaign has used various tactics, including various social media accounts run by the Chinese government as well as collaborating with some media outlets in Taiwan that support its agenda, the IORG said without providing any evidence.

The other method, it said, was supporting or amplifying the views of "Taiwanese who criticize Taiwan," including retired military officers, influential media figures or politicians who cast doubt about the country's military capabilities.

In the report, the IORG said the purpose is to weaken public confidence in the military, while at the same time hoping to sow mistrust between Taiwan and the United States.