How to Fight Back Against China’s Global Media and Information Offensive

In the past five years, countries ranging from the United States to Australia to Germany to France to the United Kingdom have become increasingly concerned about the threat of Chinese media and information strategies.

These include Beijing’s global expansion of its state media outlets like Xinhua, its network China Global Television Network (CGTN), as well as its increasing control of all Chinese-language media around the world, including in virtually every European country where there are Chinese-language media outlets.

In addition to the traditional media sector, Beijing has built information “pipes” like 5G networks and undersea cables in the information space. It has also expanded its more sophisticated use of disinformation on social media platforms and relies on increasingly popular social media platforms like TikTok, WeChat, and other tools.

Policymakers in many regions—and increasingly in Europe—are beginning to recognize the threat of Beijing’s expanding media, information, and traditional influence actions. But more coordination and decisive action are needed. For more on potential remedies, see my new article in The Globalist.