China's extensive disinformation campaigns and information warfare have become a growing concern for the West. An important hearing on Capitol Hill discussed China's disinformation campaign against the West, highlighting the need for the United States and its allies to recognize and address this challenge. China, along with Russia, views information warfare as a key component in their strategy to undermine the rules-based international system led by the United States [7a38c280].
While the U.S. and its allies are coordinating their defense capabilities, China continues to expand its information warfare capabilities and deploy psychological tactics in what some are calling a new Cold War. The dissemination of truthful information played a crucial role in winning the original Cold War, and a similar strategy needs to be revived to effectively counter China's disinformation campaigns [7a38c280].
China's disinformation campaigns are not only aimed at the United States but also target other Western countries. The Chinese Communist Party's fear of its own people presents an opportunity for the West to influence positive change in China's government. By engaging in and winning the information war that China is already waging against it, the United States can exert pressure on the Chinese government and promote democratic values [7a38c280].
To effectively counter China's rise, the United States and the West must combine their resources in research and development, AI, technology, and weaponry. The Chinese government has executed its proclamations well, while the American government is hindered by internal competition and political infighting. China has also used the international system to its advantage and modified international institutions. It is crucial for America and the West to acknowledge China's capabilities and commit to effectively compete. Failure to do so will result in a permanently omnipotent China [7fbc7667].
Mike Studeman, a recently retired US Rear Admiral and former Commander of the Office of Naval Intelligence, highlights the need for the US to bolster its strategic narrative against China. He argues that for the past 30 years, America's information instrument has been neglected, allowing Beijing to outmaneuver the US in the global narrative. China, he notes, uses its Belt and Road Initiative and other global security, development, and civilization initiatives to cast itself as a champion of globalization, gaining significant influence internationally. In contrast, US information operations are described as subdued, with bureaucratic hurdles hindering effective information warfare. The dissolution of central agencies like the US Information Agency (USIA) has left current institutions, such as the State Department's Global Engagement Center and the US Agency for Global Media, with limited capacity. Studeman criticizes the National Security Council for excessively controlling China messaging, leading to weak, late, or absent US strategic messaging. He suggests improvements, including the appointment of a distinguished Asia expert to better coordinate US messaging efforts against China's narrative [8f7fbc05].
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has emphasized the importance of fighting disinformation as a 'vital' national security interest and diplomatic priority for the United States. Speaking at a democracy summit in Seoul, South Korea, Blinken outlined US efforts to combat disinformation and promote a more resilient information environment. He called for social media platforms to label AI-generated content to help users distinguish between real and fake information. Blinken also highlighted the need to crack down on the misuse of commercial spyware and support the media industry. The issue of AI-generated misinformation is a concern for the upcoming US 2024 election and other countries, including South Korea, which has parliamentary elections in April [5d3415e6].
The US State Department has released a new cybersecurity strategy aimed at curbing Russian and Chinese influence in the developing world and countering their alleged efforts to interfere in elections. The strategy focuses on continuously exposing hackers and propagandists who undermine confidence in democracies. It also aims to communicate to Russia and China that interference in US democratic processes is unacceptable. The strategy lays out principles for US diplomats to rally support for implementing tech policies and isolating autocratic regimes. It emphasizes the need for cybersecurity for economies and democracies to thrive. The US aims to win over developing countries to reject digital repression and avoid using technology made in autocratic countries. The strategy will be announced by Secretary Antony Blinken at the RSA Conference in San Francisco. The US has seen evidence of Chinese attempts to influence the upcoming US elections. The strategy builds on years of US lobbying allies and partners to reject technology from Russia and China. The US argues that the entire vision of the internet espoused by authoritarian regimes leaves societies worse off. The US will work to counter Belt and Road initiatives and attract developing countries to its affirmative vision for cyberspace. The US has provided aid to Costa Rica after it suffered a ransomware attack by Russian-speaking hackers in 2022. Costa Rica has also rejected the use of Chinese technology in its 5G mobile networks. The US acknowledges the challenges in countering Chinese initiatives like Belt and Road. The strategy will be announced at the RSA Conference in San Francisco [c9284920] [8424d6f9].
The United States's response to recent Chinese provocations has been muted, leading to doubts about the credibility of Washington's sanctions threats. While the United States has powerful sanctions at its disposal, it has opted for a more limited approach, imposing controls on a handful of Chinese firms and personal sanctions on Chinese officials. This measured response is defensible to avoid escalating tensions, but it may also encourage China to assume that it would not face harsh sanctions even in a conflict. The United States and its partners need to devise a clearer sanctions strategy that maximizes their economic leverage over Beijing while building the credibility of their threat to impose severe sanctions. The United States enjoys an advantage in the financial sector, as most international transactions are denominated in the U.S. dollar. However, imposing severe sanctions on major Chinese banks could trigger global financial instability and resistance from other major economies. Sanctions alone cannot deter Chinese aggression, and they should be used as part of a broader strategy of integrated deterrence. The United States must also focus on economic resilience, delinking critical supply chains from China, and establishing emergency economic support measures in the event of a conflict. Strategic planning for economic statecraft and deeper conversations with international partners are necessary to effectively use sanctions and avoid an economic catastrophe in the event of a conflict with China [ace17535].
The US has rolled out a new cyberspace strategy aimed at countering Beijing and enhancing international collaborations that exclude China. Secretary of State Antony Blinken unveiled the initiative at the RSA Conference in San Francisco. The strategy aims to elevate the role of the US in countering cyberthreats globally and regulating advanced technologies such as AI. Blinken highlighted that strategic rivals, without naming China, are using digital technologies to surveil their people, weaponize dominance, and undermine democracies. The US and its allies should move quickly to harness the benefits and protect against the risks of quantum computing. The strategy is part of a US-led effort to counter China's advances in emerging technologies and its global technological spread. The US aims to work with trusted vendors and exclude untrustworthy ones from the ecosystem [c156d77c].
U.S. officials confronted the Chinese government in Beijing last month about a cyber espionage campaign called Volt Typhoon. The campaign involves Chinese hackers breaking into dozens of American critical infrastructure organizations. The U.S. alleges that China aims to leverage this access in the event of a war or conflict. The Chinese government has dismissed these allegations as groundless. Nathaniel Fick, U.S. ambassador at large for cyberspace and digital policy, raised the issue directly with Chinese officials during a visit to China with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The Chinese embassy in Washington has not yet responded to the allegations. The U.S. and its allies have previously warned about the campaign, expressing concerns about potential cyberattacks on critical industries such as oil and gas pipelines and rail systems. The exact number of compromised U.S. organizations is unknown, but it is believed to be higher than reported. Brandon Wales, the executive director of the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, stated that Chinese targeting of critical infrastructure is broad-based and includes small and medium-sized companies [2adcf100].
Chinese espionage has also taken a toll on the U.S. economy, with estimates suggesting annual losses of between $200 billion and $600 billion in intellectual property. Chinese cyber espionage has targeted various databases, including the Office of Personnel Management, Marriott hotel chain, Equifax, and Anthem. China uses a whole-of-nation approach to war, incorporating cyber attacks and espionage to pressure adversaries and steal data. The FBI has seen a significant increase in counterintelligence investigations related to Chinese espionage, with a 1,300 percent increase in recent years. China's Ministry of State Security is responsible for the majority of Beijing's intelligence operations. Concerns are raised about the large number of cyber operators in China compared to the U.S. Cyber Command [abe01d76].
The West has faced challenges in countering China's spy threat. Chinese spies have targeted various sectors, including technology, politics, and academia. The West has struggled to effectively detect and prevent Chinese espionage. Western countries have implemented measures to address the spy threat, such as increased security measures and intelligence sharing. The Chinese government has denied engaging in espionage activities. The issue of Chinese espionage remains a significant concern for the West [6fda089e].