Imagine waking up to find that what you believed to be independent journalism, activism, or casual travel vlogs were, in reality, curated propaganda designed to manipulate your worldview. This is not dystopian fiction—it is the reality of China’s digital influence campaign. Through social media manipulation, artificial intelligence, and covert influence operations, Beijing is actively shaping global public perception. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has built a sophisticated disinformation machine that threatens democratic societies, with the United States among its primary targets.
China’s Social Media Manipulation: A Direct Threat to U.S. Democracy
China’s influence extends beyond traditional media control. A recent Youtube documentary China’s Tactic to Buy Off Taiwanese Online Influencers exposes how Beijing recruits social media influencers from Taiwan and other democracies to spread pro-CCP narratives. These influencers, often in the travel and lifestyle sectors, present a sanitized image of China, praising its infrastructure, wealth, and development while normalizing its authoritarian rule. Their messaging—statements like “China is a free country where people openly discuss politics”—is carefully curated to weaken resistance to the CCP’s global ambitions. Taiwan serves as a testing ground for these disinformation campaigns, which Beijing is expanding worldwide, including into American media spaces.
The United States is not immune. Chinese-controlled social media platforms, such as TikTok **and WeChat, have become tools for the CCP to manipulate American audiences. Investigations have shown that these platforms suppress negative news about China while amplifying **anti-American and anti-Western content. The risk is clear: China’s digital warfare is not just a foreign issue—it is already inside U.S. borders.
China’s AI Disinformation Machine: How the CCP Manipulates U.S. Public Opinion and Elections.
China’s digital influence efforts have intensified with artificial intelligence. At the 2025 AI Summit, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance warned of AI-driven propaganda, emphasizing how authoritarian regimes leverage AI to manipulate public perception. He stressed that China’s use of AI-generated disinformation threatens democracy, urging stronger international collaboration.
AI has transformed into a powerful tool for China’s propaganda. The CCP’s AI-driven algorithms manipulate information on platforms like TikTok, WeChat, and X (formerly Twitter). ByteDance, TikTok’s parent company, has been accused of suppressing critical content while amplifying pro-Beijing narratives. This phenomenon significantly influences younger generations, who are often unaware of how CCP-aligned algorithms shape their views.
China has advanced its AI-driven influence operations with **DeepSeek,** an AI model that rivals Western systems. Unlike open-source models, DeepSeek operates under strict filters, reinforcing pro-Beijing narratives while suppressing politically sensitive topics like the Tiananmen Square massacre, the Uyghur genocide, and Hong Kong’s pro-democracy protests. Additionally, the CCP employs both coordinated networks and deepfake technology to flood social media with propaganda, making it harder for audiences to distinguish reality from state-sponsored deception. According to Microsoft’s Digital Threat Analysis Center and cybersecurity experts, China has increasingly used AI-generated content and influence operations to manipulate online discourse and political narratives in multiple countries.
The biggest concern for the United States is China’s ability to sway American elections through AI-driven psychological warfare. CCP-backed accounts on TikTok and other social media platforms have already been caught spreading misinformation targeting U.S. political candidates, creating divisive content to weaken American unityand influence voter behavior.
The CCP’s use of AI-generated content to sway American public opinion was increasingly recognized as a national security threat. With Donald Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris, concerns persist about foreign interference and the impact of disinformation on voter perceptions. The CCP’s capacity to manipulate U.S. public discourse through AI-driven propaganda remains a critical and escalating security challenge.
Beijing’s Global Influence Initiative: The Broader Perspective
China’s AI-driven influence campaigns are part of a larger strategy to control global narratives. Beijing recruits Western influencers to push state-approved messaging. A report by the **Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI)** reveals that China finances Western YouTubers and TikTok personalities to portray the CCP’s rule as harmonious and superior to democracy. Unlike traditional state media, influencer-driven propaganda feels personal and authentic, making it highly effective in shaping public opinion.
But China’s information warfare doesn’t stop at self-promotion—it is also a powerful geopolitical tool. The CCP controls its narrative and strategically manipulates global dialogue to serve its interests. This strategy includes amplifying Russian propaganda on the Ukraine war, spreading anti-Israel rhetoric, and manipulating social media to deepen political divisions in the U.S. By dominating online narratives, China strengthens its geopolitical position while sowing discord among democratic allies.
Lessons from Taiwan: A Model for the U.S.
Taiwan’s role as a frontline target of China’s disinformation provides valuable insights. Strengthening media literacy has been a key strategy. Public education programs like the **Taiwan FactCheck Center** help citizens identify and counteract disinformation. Meanwhile, Taiwan has implemented **strict laws** to protect its semiconductor industry, a critical sector for global security, from technology leaks and **talent poaching** by Chinese firms.
Taiwan has also countered China’s ideological influence in education. While Beijing’s Confucius Institutes embed propaganda into language programs worldwide, Taiwan established the Taiwan Center for Mandarin Learning, offering politically neutral language education. These efforts defend Taiwan’s democracy and serve as a model for other nations facing similar challenges.
Why the U.S. Must Act Now
China’s cognitive warfare is not a future threat—it is actively reshaping public perception, infiltrating digital platforms, and undermining democratic institutions. If the U.S. and its allies fail to respond decisively, Beijing’s control over global narratives will deepen, eroding trust in democracy and shifting geopolitical power. The growing sophistication of China’s AI-driven propaganda efforts clarifies it that passive responses are no longer enough.
To combat China’s digital influence, the United States must take immediate action. The government must ban TikTok or impose stricter regulations on Chinese-owned platforms. Without oversight, Beijing will continue to manipulate American public opinion and interfere in elections. AI transparency regulations should be increased to prevent foreign governments from using AI-powered propaganda to influence U.S. discourse. The U.S. must also enhance cooperation with Taiwan on counter-disinformation strategies. Taiwan has withstood China’s cognitive warfare and can serve as a model for U.S. cybersecurity policies. Furthermore, American AI research and media literacy programs should be funded to counteract CCP-controlled content infiltrating social media.
China’s digital warfare is a battle for truth, sovereignty, and democracy. The United States must wake up to the CCP’s strategic manipulation of information before it’s too late. If the government fails to act, China’s AI-driven propaganda will shape the next generation of American voters—and determine the future of our democracy.
(Featured photo by Markus Spiske on Pexels)
Angel Yen is a legislative assistant in Taiwan, specializing in national security, cross-strait relations, and international affairs. A political science graduate from the University of Toronto, she is dedicated to strengthening Taiwan’s global presence through insightful writing and advocacy.