Western social media outlets are banned in China. But, Chinese diplomats are using the same platforms to spread misinformation and conspiracy theories about the origins of the Wuhan Virus.

Gravitas: How Chinese diplomats are spreading conspiracy theories on social media

China's policies of expansionism and aggression seem to be backfiring. In an effort to exude power, Beijing has painted itself in a corner and is now without any allies.

China is running a multimillion dollar misinformation campaign. Chinese propaganda is an organised and orchestrated effort.

Reports say, China has hired a company for its disinformation efforts it is called Onesight. This is a Beijing-based internet marketing company.

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It got a contract to "boost" the twitter following of China news service. The second largest state-owned news agency of China. China news service - operates under the united front work department. The arm of the Chinese state — that handles influence operations outside China.

Onesight was reportedly given a contract of around 175 thousand dollars for a special project.

It was asked to "increase the following" of China news Service. An influence network was boosting not just China news service — but other top Chinese state media accounts too.&nbsp;

Names like Xinhua and People's Daily.

Specific instances of fake accounts promoting a positive image of the Chinese state.&nbsp; 
 
Now social media companies are taking down scores of propaganda accounts but their response falls far short of China's aggressive campaigns and spending.&nbsp; 
 
(With inputs from agencies)

China's policies of expansionism and aggression seem to be backfiring. In an effort to exude power, Beijing has painted itself in a corner and is now without any allies.

China's policies of expansionism and aggression seem to be backfiring. In an effort to exude power, Beijing has painted itself in a corner and is now without any allies. China is running a multimillion dollar misinformation campaign. Chinese propaganda is an organised and orchestrated effort. Reports say, China has hired a company for its disinformation efforts it is called Onesight. This is a Beijing-based internet marketing company. It got a contract to "boost" the twitter following of China news service. The second largest state-owned news agency of China. China news service - operates under the united front work department. The arm of the Chinese state — that handles influence operations outside China. Onesight was reportedly given a contract of around 175 thousand dollars for a special project. It was asked to "increase the following" of China news Service. An influence network was boosting not just China news service — but other top Chinese state media accounts too. Names like Xinhua and People's Daily. Specific instances of fake accounts promoting a positive image of the Chinese state. Now social media companies are taking down scores of propaganda accounts but their response falls far short of China's aggressive campaigns and spending. (With inputs from agencies)

China’s propaganda war: An effort to regain its loss of credibility

US imposed fresh restrictions on Chinese diplomats in the US in a tit-for-tat move after Beijing put restrictions on American diplomats in China. Now, Chinese diplomats will be required to obtain approval from US State Department before visiting campuses of US Universities or holding cultural events of more than 50 people outside mission grounds.

The State Department said it would also take action to help ensure all Chinese embassy and consular social media accounts were "properly identified."

What's the reason behind restrictions?

Although Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that US was "simply demanding reciprocity", the latest steps also appear to be part of Trump administration's campaign against alleged Chinese influence operations and espionage.

US President Donald Trump has taken a tough stance against China in the run-up to&nbsp;US Presidential Elections 2020 slated to be held in November.

Also Read: <a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/india-has-already-banned-100-plus-chinese-apps-call-on-nations-to-join-the-clean-network-us-324853">India has already banned 100 plus Chinese apps, call on nations to join the Clean Network: US</a>

US State Department has also written to boards of US universities about the threat&nbsp;from Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

"These threats can come in the form of illicit funding for research, intellectual property theft, intimidation of foreign students and opaque talent recruitment efforts," Pompeo said.

The Chinese reaction:

China's Washington embassy called the fresh restrictions "yet another unjustified restriction and barrier on Chinese diplomatic and consular personnel" that "runs counter to the self-proclaimed values of openness and freedom of the U.S. side."

Confucius Institutes work to recruit spies and collaborators: Pompeo

Mike Pompeo came down heavily on Chinese government-run Confucius Confucius Institute cultural centers across US and alleged that they worked to recruit "spies and collaborators"

He said that all Confucius Institutes will be shut down by the year-end.

On Wednesday, the Washington-based Confucius Institute U.S. Center, which was required last month to register as a foreign mission after Pompeo accused it of advancing Beijing`s "malign influence," said it had been mischaracterized by the State Department as a headquarters for Confucius Institutes.

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"Contrary to what people have heard from the State Department, CI programs in the U.S. are independent of each other, set up and run by the schools that choose to set up Chinese language education, and staffed by people hired and supervised by those schools," it said in a statement.

Pompeo said he planned to discuss China and other regional issues with the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other Indo-Pacific countries in virtual meetings next week. 
The State Department said Pompeo would participate in an East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers` meeting and another with his ASEAN counterparts on Sept. 9.

(With inputs from Reuters) 
&nbsp;

US imposed fresh restrictions on Chinese diplomats in the US in a tit-for-tat move after Beijing put restrictions on American diplomats in China. Now, Chinese diplomats will be required to obtain approval from US State Department before visiting campuses of US Universities or holding cultural events of more than 50 people outside mission grounds.

US imposed fresh restrictions on Chinese diplomats in the US in a tit-for-tat move after Beijing put restrictions on American diplomats in China. Now, Chinese diplomats will be required to obtain approval from US State Department before visiting campuses of US Universities or holding cultural events of more than 50 people outside mission grounds. The State Department said it would also take action to help ensure all Chinese embassy and consular social media accounts were "properly identified." What's the reason behind restrictions? Although Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has said that US was "simply demanding reciprocity", the latest steps also appear to be part of Trump administration's campaign against alleged Chinese influence operations and espionage. US President Donald Trump has taken a tough stance against China in the run-up to US Presidential Elections 2020 slated to be held in November. Also Read: India has already banned 100 plus Chinese apps, call on nations to join the Clean Network: US US State Department has also written to boards of US universities about the threat from Chinese Communist Party (CCP). "These threats can come in the form of illicit funding for research, intellectual property theft, intimidation of foreign students and opaque talent recruitment efforts," Pompeo said. The Chinese reaction: China's Washington embassy called the fresh restrictions "yet another unjustified restriction and barrier on Chinese diplomatic and consular personnel" that "runs counter to the self-proclaimed values of openness and freedom of the U.S. side." Confucius Institutes work to recruit spies and collaborators: Pompeo Mike Pompeo came down heavily on Chinese government-run Confucius Confucius Institute cultural centers across US and alleged that they worked to recruit "spies and collaborators" He said that all Confucius Institutes will be shut down by the year-end. On Wednesday, the Washington-based Confucius Institute U.S. Center, which was required last month to register as a foreign mission after Pompeo accused it of advancing Beijing`s "malign influence," said it had been mischaracterized by the State Department as a headquarters for Confucius Institutes. × "Contrary to what people have heard from the State Department, CI programs in the U.S. are independent of each other, set up and run by the schools that choose to set up Chinese language education, and staffed by people hired and supervised by those schools," it said in a statement. Pompeo said he planned to discuss China and other regional issues with the 10-nation Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and other Indo-Pacific countries in virtual meetings next week. The State Department said Pompeo would participate in an East Asia Summit Foreign Ministers` meeting and another with his ASEAN counterparts on Sept. 9. (With inputs from Reuters)

In tit-for-tat move, US imposes fresh restrictions on Chinese diplomats

China's policies of expansionism and aggression seem to be backfiring. In an effort to exude power, Beijing has painted itself in a corner and is now without any allies.

China is running a multimillion dollar misinformation campaign.&nbsp;Chinese propaganda is an organised and orchestrated effort.

Some tweets by Chinese diplomats, the Chinese state and the Chinese media look genuine on first look, but all of hose are fake which were posted from fake accounts when the border standoff was at its worst point.

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China's four distinct methods

Number one: through fake accounts. Some of them impersonating well known news platforms.

Number two: through bots. They amplify a message.

Number three: through the state media. Pushing a well crafted narrative.

Number four: through chinese diplomats themselves.

The interesting thing is that social media platforms such as&nbsp;Twitter are banned in China. However, WION's investigation has found out&nbsp;that the Chinese government has an inventory of fake accounts and many of these are being used to spread disinformation against India.

Around 5,000 suspected fake Chinese Twitter accounts were repurposed to spread disinformation. They were tweeting about the coronavirus and the Hong Kong protests, but suddenly they switched subjects and started running disinformation on the border standoff, the situation in ladakh and on the boycott calls of Chinese products.

Out of the 5,000 suspected fake Chinese accounts, 1,500 were allegedly created in the last five months and another 1,000 in the last 12 months.

The Twitter account of&nbsp;Radio Free Asia, a US government funded broadcaster, is fake. The account has a post that shows a fake photograph of dead Indian soldiers — a picture that has been&nbsp;shared by multiple accounts. The idea behind these posts is to show how India suffered at the hands of the Chinese, but all&nbsp;of these stories are fake.

Cchinese diplomats are involved in pushing disinformation against India, and we have proof. Some tweets from a Chinese Consul General posted in Karachi show him&nbsp;accusing India of “provoking conflicts” with China after being instigated by the United States.

ANother one is Lin Jing, the Chinese Consul General in Cape Town. Once again, his tweets&nbsp;blame India for triggering the standoff in Ladakh.

These Chinese diplomats on Twitter are not only pushing the state’s message, but are also&nbsp;following fake accounts&nbsp;who publish disinformation against India.

We have found that more than 7,000 fake Twitter accounts have links to Chinese diplomats, and this&nbsp;includes Zhao Lijian too, the spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry — better known as the 'wolf warrior in chief'.

There are several such fake accounts and they are being followed&nbsp;by Chinese diplomats. The network of accounts&nbsp;have been caught sharing the same fake photographs of Indian soldiers.

The 'main-man' behind this network of lies and fake accounts comes from the top. This wolf warrior brand of diplomacy and these disinformation campaigns on social media are all&nbsp;run under direct supervision of the Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Why do we say this? We will give you the answer in the second part of our investigation.

China's policies of expansionism and aggression seem to be backfiring. In an effort to exude power, Beijing has painted itself in a corner and is now without any allies. China is running a multimillion dollar misinformation campaign. Chinese propaganda is an organised and orchestrated effort. Some tweets by Chinese diplomats, the Chinese state and the Chinese media look genuine on first look, but all of hose are fake which were posted from fake accounts when the border standoff was at its worst point. China's four distinct methods Number one: through fake accounts. Some of them impersonating well known news platforms. Number two: through bots. They amplify a message. Number three: through the state media. Pushing a well crafted narrative. Number four: through chinese diplomats themselves. The interesting thing is that social media platforms such as Twitter are banned in China. However, WION's investigation has found out that the Chinese government has an inventory of fake accounts and many of these are being used to spread disinformation against India. Around 5,000 suspected fake Chinese Twitter accounts were repurposed to spread disinformation. They were tweeting about the coronavirus and the Hong Kong protests, but suddenly they switched subjects and started running disinformation on the border standoff, the situation in ladakh and on the boycott calls of Chinese products. Out of the 5,000 suspected fake Chinese accounts, 1,500 were allegedly created in the last five months and another 1,000 in the last 12 months. The Twitter account of Radio Free Asia, a US government funded broadcaster, is fake. The account has a post that shows a fake photograph of dead Indian soldiers — a picture that has been shared by multiple accounts. The idea behind these posts is to show how India suffered at the hands of the Chinese, but all of these stories are fake. Cchinese diplomats are involved in pushing disinformation against India, and we have proof. Some tweets from a Chinese Consul General posted in Karachi show him accusing India of “provoking conflicts” with China after being instigated by the United States. ANother one is Lin Jing, the Chinese Consul General in Cape Town. Once again, his tweets blame India for triggering the standoff in Ladakh. These Chinese diplomats on Twitter are not only pushing the state’s message, but are also following fake accounts who publish disinformation against India. We have found that more than 7,000 fake Twitter accounts have links to Chinese diplomats, and this includes Zhao Lijian too, the spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Ministry — better known as the 'wolf warrior in chief'. There are several such fake accounts and they are being followed by Chinese diplomats. The network of accounts have been caught sharing the same fake photographs of Indian soldiers. The 'main-man' behind this network of lies and fake accounts comes from the top. This wolf warrior brand of diplomacy and these disinformation campaigns on social media are all run under direct supervision of the Chinese President Xi Jinping. Why do we say this? We will give you the answer in the second part of our investigation.

EXCLUSIVE | WION investigates China's network of fake Twitter accounts

China's wolf-warriors seem to be delighted in watching the unrest unfold in U.S. WION's palki Sharma gets you a report on China's double standards.

Gravitas: Chinese diplomats try to exploit the US riots

Chinese diplomats have triggered another diplomatic fire. French lawmakers are outraged by a post from a Chinese diplomat that claimed people are dying in nursing homes. China has now denied criticizing the coronavirus response of France.

Gravitas: France - China diplomatic spat widens |  Wuhan Coronavirus

The abrasiveness of China's diplomatic missions is only increasing. Chinese diplomats are bullying and abusing anyone who criticizes their regime. First, it was the Chinese envoy to Nepal. Then the consul general of Kolkata and now the Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka is trying to enforce the dragon's will and narrative. Its actions and words are typical of other Chinese missions as they fall far beyond the scope of diplomatic ambit.

So much so that Twitter decided to temporarily suspend the account of the Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka.

The Chinese embassy in Colombo had an unverified Twitter handle and not many knew about its official status. But this account was repeatedly being accused of using undiplomatic language. It constantly engaged in a heated war of words with several twitter users and trolls...

A few days back, one user asserted that the 'low-class Chinese authoritarianism' had become a curse to the world and the Twitter handle responded&nbsp;'total deaths in china are 3,334 till today, much smaller than your western 'high class' governments. Who are cursed?'

Twitter assumed this was a parody account for its use of unparliamentary language. However, it decided to suspend the account. Afterall, which diplomatic mission speaks like this. Only that they were mistaken. This was indeed the official Twitter account. The Chinese embassy made a &nbsp;'solemn' request for clarification.

It claims that Twitter apologized for its 'systematic mistake' and unsuspended the embassy's account. But it did not&nbsp;end there. Today this embassy decided to preach on Twitter about freedom of speech and following rules. It tweeted 'We believe...If twitter could follow the laws and rules of China... The market might also be opened to them'

Meanwhile, for the third time, the Chinese embassy in New Delhi has slammed 'certain Indian media' for not believing them. They say that Indian media is ignoring the facts that China 'officially released'. They hope that this 'certain media' discards ideological prejudice. And does not ignore 'tinted glasses' the precious time China bought for an international response.&nbsp;

The virus knows no borders. Neither does the dragon's domineering. From corrupting journalists with money to&nbsp;targeting them for not telling the China story well, Beijing is going all out in rewriting the narrative of this pandemic.

The abrasiveness of China's diplomatic missions is only increasing. Chinese diplomats are bullying and abusing anyone who criticizes their regime. First, it was the Chinese envoy to Nepal.

The abrasiveness of China's diplomatic missions is only increasing. Chinese diplomats are bullying and abusing anyone who criticizes their regime. First, it was the Chinese envoy to Nepal. Then the consul general of Kolkata and now the Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka is trying to enforce the dragon's will and narrative. Its actions and words are typical of other Chinese missions as they fall far beyond the scope of diplomatic ambit. So much so that Twitter decided to temporarily suspend the account of the Chinese embassy in Sri Lanka. The Chinese embassy in Colombo had an unverified Twitter handle and not many knew about its official status. But this account was repeatedly being accused of using undiplomatic language. It constantly engaged in a heated war of words with several twitter users and trolls... A few days back, one user asserted that the 'low-class Chinese authoritarianism' had become a curse to the world and the Twitter handle responded 'total deaths in china are 3,334 till today, much smaller than your western 'high class' governments. Who are cursed?' Twitter assumed this was a parody account for its use of unparliamentary language. However, it decided to suspend the account. Afterall, which diplomatic mission speaks like this. Only that they were mistaken. This was indeed the official Twitter account. The Chinese embassy made a 'solemn' request for clarification. It claims that Twitter apologized for its 'systematic mistake' and unsuspended the embassy's account. But it did not end there. Today this embassy decided to preach on Twitter about freedom of speech and following rules. It tweeted 'We believe...If twitter could follow the laws and rules of China... The market might also be opened to them' Meanwhile, for the third time, the Chinese embassy in New Delhi has slammed 'certain Indian media' for not believing them. They say that Indian media is ignoring the facts that China 'officially released'. They hope that this 'certain media' discards ideological prejudice. And does not ignore 'tinted glasses' the precious time China bought for an international response. The virus knows no borders. Neither does the dragon's domineering. From corrupting journalists with money to targeting them for not telling the China story well, Beijing is going all out in rewriting the narrative of this pandemic.

Here is why Chinese diplomats bully and abuse anyone criticises their regime

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