Recent online trends have surfaced, featuring short videos that tap into nationalistic sentiments by showcasing foreign admiration for China, particularly from young Russian women named Natasha and Sofia. These videos depict them speaking fluent Mandarin and praising Chinese culture, while criticizing Russian men as 'drunk and lazy.' They laud Chinese societal and technological progress and express a desire to adopt traditional domestic roles, such as cooking and child-rearing, in a marriage with a Chinese man [881b2ddd].
Cybersecurity analysts have observed a significant escalation in cyber activities by Chinese threat actors targeting global powers, including the United States and India. Chinese influence operators have ramped up their activities using advanced generative AI technologies, producing and disseminating AI-generated memes and deepfakes targeting political figures and sensitive issues. China is using AI to create compelling multimedia content, including AI-generated videos that critique various societal issues in the United States. These videos are actually deepfakes, crafted with sophisticated yet increasingly affordable AI tools. They circulate on social media for various purposes, promoting products and elevating China's image [881b2ddd].
The trend of young Russian women expressing admiration for Chinese culture and a desire to marry Chinese men is fueled by these deepfake videos. The videos are relatively simple to produce using brief clips of real footage, which can be manipulated to fulfill the fantasies of some Chinese bachelors. However, the use of deepfakes has raised concerns about personal autonomy and the potential for manipulation and disruption of societal cohesion [881b2ddd].
The strategic intent behind China's cyber operations and influence campaigns appears to be intelligence gathering and destabilization of critical infrastructure. China's use of AI-driven campaigns reflects a strategic use of digital influence to sway public opinion and potentially disrupt societal cohesion [881b2ddd].
A Ukrainian woman named Olga shared her experience of how Chinese social media platforms influenced her language preference, shifting from Ukrainian to Russian. Olga mentioned that she started using Chinese social media apps due to their popularity and user-friendly interface. She found herself consuming more Russian content on these platforms, which gradually led to her adopting the Russian language. Olga also highlighted that the algorithms of these apps prioritize Russian content, making it more accessible and appealing. This shift in language preference reflects the influence of Chinese social media on individuals' linguistic choices [32a8f204].
In China, a secret script called Nushu has been created by women as a form of resistance against patriarchal power. Originating in Jiangyong county, Hunan province, Nushu was developed by women who were barred from formal education. Today, young women are spreading the practice of Nushu as a source of strength and empowerment. It can be found in bookstores, advertisements, crafts, tattoos, and everyday items across China. Nushu is a unique vehicle for composing stories about women's lives and is typically written in the form of seven-character line poems that are sung. Chen Yulu, a young woman studying photography, has become fascinated with Nushu and is actively promoting its practice through online groups, writing workshops, and art exhibitions. Nushu is seen as a symbol of female strength and sisterhood, providing support and empowerment to women facing gender-based violence, inequality, and other challenges [ba658d9e].