In a shocking revelation, Citizen Lab, a digital watchdog based in Toronto, has discovered over 100 websites operating as local news outlets across Europe, Asia, and Latin America, promoting pro-China content. These websites, linked to a Beijing-based public relations firm, have been engaged in a widespread influence campaign. By blending genuine news aggregated from local media outlets and Chinese state media with propagandistic material, they aim to shape public opinion in their favor.
Citizen Lab’s research report highlights the extent of this influence campaign, scattered across 30 different countries. The websites associated with this effort employ adaptiveness to local languages and cultural nuances, increasing the risks of inadvertent amplification by the local media and target audiences.
The content presented on these websites spans a wide range, from spreading conspiracy theories, such as blaming American scientists for “leaking” COVID-19, to launching scathing attacks on Beijing’s critics. The articles published by these websites exhibit a clear bias towards discrediting the United States and its allies. Researchers, in a rare revelation, have successfully traced the origins of these operations back to a specific entity.
The Citizen Lab report uncovers that this campaign was initiated in mid-2020 and attributes it to the public relations firm Shenzhen Haimaiyunxiang Media Co., Ltd., commonly known as Haimai. However, the firm did not respond to requests for comment, and attempts to contact them via the phone number listed on their website proved futile. The Chinese embassy in Washington dismissed any claims of disinformation and defended the publication of “pro-China” contents as a response to alleged bias and double standards.
Among the websites identified in this campaign, one particularly striking example is Roma Journal, which imitates an Italian local news outlet. With its articles discussing political prospects of the Italian prime minister, a hot air balloon festival, and a book launch, it successfully blends in with genuine local news. However, a closer inspection reveals a “press releases” button leading unsuspecting readers to Chinese state media articles, focusing on topics such as China’s global economic recovery contribution and technological innovation.
Citizen Lab’s investigation discovered that a significant amount of the content published on these websites was sourced from Times Newswire, a press releases service. Last year, cybersecurity firm Mandiant linked this same service to a separate Chinese influence campaign targeting U.S. audiences. The recurring patterns suggest a deliberate effort to ensure consistency and amplify the reach of these pro-China narratives globally.
While online influence campaigns have become commonplace worldwide, China, along with Russia and Iran, has emerged as a major source of such efforts. Social media giant Meta highlighted China’s increasing influence operations and their expansion beyond Asia in a report published in November. The report described this development as the most significant change in the threat landscape since 2020, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and countermeasures.
Citizen Lab’s continued investigation into this network of websites began after the discovery of similar operations in South Korea and Italy. South Korea’s National Cyber Security Center exposed 18 of these websites in a November report, successfully connecting them to Haimai. Furthermore, it has been revealed that Roma Journal is not legally registered as a news outlet in Italy, as reported by Il Foglio newspaper.
Despite the low engagement observed on these websites, cybersecurity experts argue that the mere existence and continued funding of such campaigns by China indicate their intent and perceived value. Dakota Cary, a China-focused consultant at cybersecurity firm SentinelOne, points out that dismissing these campaigns as low-engagement is a mistake, as they still serve a purpose in shaping public opinion and advancing China’s agenda.
The exposure of this pro-China propaganda campaign disguised as local news outlets is a stark reminder of the evolving landscape of information warfare. It highlights the need for increased vigilance and critical analysis when consuming online content. Governments, media organizations, and individuals must develop strategies to combat and raise awareness about these covert influence operations, ensuring the protection of information integrity and democratic discourse.
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