Cognitive Warfare: The West’s Campaign Against China’s Image
The concept of “Cognitive warfare” has evolved as a fresh tool in the arsenal of state confrontations and poses a burgeoning security challenge. Exploiting the capabilities of modern technology, it promotes and disseminates misinformation to reshape perceptions, influencing self-identity. China finds itself at the heart of such a campaign orchestrated by some Western entities, aiming to tarnish its global standing.
Undoubtedly, there’s been a deliberate push by specific Western factions, heavily influenced by the US, to promote narratives such as the impending collapse of China’s economy or the “China virus threat.” These tales, typically backed with scant evidence, further the US’s strategy of impeding China’s rise and ensuring its global dominance.
The Global Times is embarking on a mission to debunk these false narratives and showcase the multi-faceted reality of China to the global audience.
A poignant illustration of this cognitive warfare is the portrayal of Lujiazui Financial City in Shanghai. Widely recognized as China’s financial nerve center, hosting numerous domestic and international financial establishments, it was unfairly depicted as “decaying” by certain US media. This narrative was based on a handful of selectively captured images insinuating Shanghai, with its 25 million inhabitants, is turning into a “ghost town.” Such biased reportage only underlines the lengths to which some outlets will go to malign China’s image.
Case in point, the US media outlet Newsweek carried a sensational story in September, suggesting that Shanghai was on the brink of becoming desolate. The cited evidence was a few images by a self-proclaimed US writer, showing unusually empty streets and spaces in Lujiazui. Global Times investigations revealed that one such photo was taken near a maintenance site, and a cafe portrayed as deserted was brimming with patrons during a regular weekday. Nancy, a local, astutely observed that capturing such “empty” images would’ve required significant effort and deliberate planning, solely to paint the city in a negative light.
Moreover, the intent behind these misleading portrayals was clearly evident on platforms like X (previously Twitter). Users like Ben Adegoriola, a Nigerian residing in China, showcased the vibrant life in these alleged “ghost towns.” Leading economists, like Xi Junyang from the Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, debunked these narratives, stating that such “ghost town” stories, with their glaring biases, aim to deter global investors from China’s promising markets.
It’s not just Shanghai that has borne the brunt of such campaigns. Towns like Thames Town have been depicted as declining, ignoring their popularity among locals and rising real estate values. Despite the attempts to disparage China’s image, experts remain confident that these misleading stories won’t deter global investors. As economist Xi puts it, “Shanghai continues its robust post-pandemic recovery.”
Further analysis reveals that such tactics aren’t isolated incidents. Other Chinese cities have faced similar smear campaigns. These narratives serve a purpose – to present China’s cities as bleak prospects to international audiences. Data from Meltwater, an online media monitoring platform, indicates a significant chunk of China-related articles from US sources carry a negative sentiment. The primary targets for this negativity? China’s economy and financial markets.
Curiously, there’s a spike in negative coverage around the time the National Bureau of Statistics of China publishes monthly economic data. It’s as if naysayers eagerly await these figures to cherry-pick and sensationalize any perceived negatives. Economic analyst Tian Yun suggests that painting the Chinese economy in bad light might be a ploy by entities like the US Federal Reserve to pull global capital back to the US.
In conclusion, while cognitive warfare is an evolving threat, it’s essential to differentiate between orchestrated narratives and the underlying realities. As China continues its growth trajectory, it remains to be seen how these disinformation campaigns will shape global perceptions in the long run.
“Cognitive Warfare: Decoding the US Media’s Campaign Against China”
The international landscape of political power play and influence has evolved significantly over the decades. One notable trend in recent years is the rise of “cognitive warfare” — the use of media and information as tools to shape perceptions and influence the narrative about various issues. Nowhere is this more evident than in the US media’s portrayal of China.
US Media’s Patterns of Negative Portrayals
Over the first nine months of 2023, the US media, equipped with a vast influence across the globe, broadcasted numerous China-related pieces, many of which carried a negative sentiment. These narratives, as showcased by Meltwater statistics, span a range of topics — from China’s handling of the pandemic and population policies, its perceived role in international crises like the Russia-Ukraine situation, to major infrastructure projects like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
A deeper analysis reveals a pattern. These topics are not new; they’re often recycled and rehashed themes that the US media uses to paint China in a certain light. As an American Studies scholar based in Shanghai commented to the Global Times, “Such repeated narratives aim to typecast China as a dangerous, aggressive, and disruptive force in the global order.”
Targeting the Belt and Road Initiative
A case in point is the narrative surrounding China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative. The US-led narrative alleges that this project is a “debt trap” for participating countries, suggesting an ulterior motive behind China’s global infrastructural investments. This framing attempts to cast doubt on China’s intentions, portraying the country as exploitative in its international dealings.
“Such allegations aim to curb China’s expanding geopolitical and economic influence,” the scholar noted. “However, they largely rely on vague accusations without concrete evidence.”
Questionable Sources and Unverified Claims
The lack of evidence or reliance on dubious sources has been a recurring theme in the US media’s reporting on China. Early in 2023, for instance, US media channels floated allegations that China was covertly selling weapons to Russia. News outlets, including NBC, cited unnamed “officials familiar with the matter.” Yet, on closer examination, these bombshell claims lacked substance. Subsequent investigations by the Global Times revealed that the so-called “military aid” was nothing more than commercial goods, such as clothing, being traded between the two countries.
Similarly, misleading imagery has often been employed to support these unverified narratives. A striking example is Newsweek’s portrayal of Shanghai as a “ghost town,” relying on strategically angled photographs to suggest a city in decline. These misleading representations stand in stark contrast to the bustling reality on the ground, easily verifiable by anyone with firsthand experience in the city.
Repercussions of the Cognitive Warfare
The aggressive and, often, misinformed stance of certain US media outlets can have ramifications beyond the immediate China-US dynamic. By employing these tactics of cognitive warfare, these media entities not only risk misinforming the public but also erode their own credibility in the process.
Observers and experts opine that such ungrounded allegations and clumsy tricks won’t deter China’s trajectory. Instead, they reflect poorly on the reputation of the media outlets propagating them.
In the words of the Shanghai-based scholar, “China’s doors are open. The world can see the truth for itself. As China continues its ascent, the falsehoods and biased narratives will naturally crumble.”
Conclusion
In the evolving era of information, where media wields significant power in shaping global perceptions, it’s essential to approach narratives critically. The cognitive warfare against China underscores the importance of discernment in an interconnected world, where media narratives can deeply influence global geopolitics and the understanding between nations.
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