DSET Non-Resident Research Fellow Min-Zhen Li has published an op-ed in the Yale Journal of International Affairs, using Taiwan’s 2024 presidential election as a case study to analyze China’s information warfare tactics and their impact. As Taiwan remains on the frontline of China’s global influence operations, its experience offers valuable insights for other democracies in defending against disinformation campaigns.
Key Findings including:
1️⃣ The “Information Warfare Toolbox” Framework
The study analyzes over 1,000 social media posts, along with content from Chinese government sources and state media, to examine how China manipulated public opinion and attempted to undermine Taiwan’s diplomatic standing. particularly during Lai Ching-te’s 2023 visit to Paraguay. The research identifies four primary tactics used in China’s information warfare strategy:
- Censorship – Deleting content on platforms such as WeChat.
- Propaganda – Using state media to shape narratives.
- Narrative Framing – Coordinating cross-platform messaging.
- Disinformation – Spreading fake documents and false claims to influence public perception.
2️⃣ Policy Recommendations and International Cooperation
To counter these tactics, the op-ed proposes several strategies, including:
- Establishing information-sharing platforms to strengthen international response coordination.
- Promoting digital literacy education to improve public awareness of disinformation.
- Urging social media platforms to enhance content moderation and transparency.
- Strengthening civil society initiatives focused on fact-checking and disinformation research.
This research provides actionable strategies for democracies to counter information warfare and highlights the growing risks of information manipulation in elections and social-media-driven political discourse