US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's visit to China has been marred by false claims circulating on Chinese social media platforms regarding a photo of Yellen. The photo, which shows Yellen meeting five South Korean women, was falsely suggested to depict Chinese women fawning over 'their master'. However, the photo was actually taken in July 2022 in Seoul, South Korea, and the women in the picture are South Korean economists and entrepreneurs who met Yellen during a previous trip. The false claims about the photo were shared on social media platforms Weibo and X during Yellen's visit to China in April 2024 [30483fc6].
These false claims highlight the power of misinformation and the potential for it to spread rapidly on social media platforms. It is important to verify the accuracy of information before sharing it, especially in the context of sensitive diplomatic visits. The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in the digital age, where false information can easily be disseminated and influence public opinion [30483fc6].