China Amplifies Online Disinformation Campaigns Against Taiwan

Taiwan’s National Security Bureau (NSB) has reported a significant increase in online disinformation campaigns orchestrated by China, revealing that the number of fake accounts surged to 45,590 in 2025, up from 28,216 the previous year. The NSB’s findings underscore a coordinated effort by the Chinese Communist Party to influence public opinion in Taiwan through advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence and social media bots.

The report, titled Analysis of China’s Cognitive Warfare Tactics Against Taiwan in 2025, outlines China’s strategic objectives and identifies five major tactics employed in this extensive campaign. It emphasizes the integration of resources from various sectors, including the government, military, and private companies, to foster narratives that support Chinese interests and undermine Taiwanese sovereignty.

Key Tactics in China’s Disinformation Strategy

To amplify its influence, the Chinese government has focused on creating skepticism around the United States, the Taiwanese military, and President William Lai. The NSB noted that the volume of disinformation rose to more than 2.314 million pieces in 2025, compared to 2.159 million in 2024. This increase reflects a concerted effort to reshape public perception and emotional responses to current events.

The report details several tactics utilized in this cognitive warfare. First, the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and other governmental bodies are leveraging local technology firms to gather data on Taiwanese political figures and influencers. This data is used to conduct targeted propaganda campaigns aimed at manipulating public sentiment.

Second, China employs a variety of channels, including fake websites and content farms, to disseminate disinformation effectively. The use of an “internet water army”—individuals paid to post pro-Chinese comments across social media platforms—has further enabled these influence operations, which span over 180 platforms worldwide.

Leveraging Technology for Disinformation

Chinese IT companies have developed sophisticated AI models to generate and distribute misleading content. These models not only create realistic disinformation but also utilize big data analytics to ensure precise targeting of the Taiwanese population.

Among the notable tactics, the NSB highlighted an incident in which Chinese cyber operatives hijacked accounts on the Professional Technology Temple (PTT) bulletin board system during military exercises around Taiwan in April 2024. This breach allowed the spread of false narratives claiming that “China has blockaded Taiwan’s natural gas shipments” and “Chinese warships have entered Taiwan’s 24 nautical mile zone.”

Additionally, the NSB reported that China’s cognitive warfare targets have expanded beyond Taiwan to include other democratic nations. This has prompted significant concerns among government agencies and think tanks in countries such as the United States, EU, Australia, and France, all of which have issued warnings regarding China’s information manipulation efforts.

To counter these threats, the NSB has engaged in over 80 security dialogues and intelligence conferences with international partners over the past year. These initiatives aim to strengthen Taiwan’s position against cognitive warfare and ensure a resilient public opinion environment.

The NSB is also working to enhance collaboration with third-party fact-checking organizations and social media platforms. By urging these platforms to disclose and remove false information, the bureau aims to prevent hostile foreign forces from influencing Taiwanese public discourse.

As Taiwan continues to navigate the complexities of its relationship with China, the findings from the NSB highlight the critical need for vigilance in safeguarding democratic values and public trust in an increasingly digital world.