Taiwan’s government has accused China of ramping up efforts to undermine confidence in the island’s democratic system and its strong relationship with the United States through an extensive disinformation campaign. The allegations were detailed in a report released Friday by Taiwan’s National Security Bureau.

The report revealed a 60% increase in false or manipulated content attributed to China last year, with 2.16 million pieces identified, up from 1.33 million in 2023. Platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok—popular among younger audiences—were highlighted as primary targets for these campaigns.

China’s tactics include using fake accounts to spread propaganda on platforms like YouTube, deploying artificial intelligence to produce fabricated videos, and flooding comment sections with pro-China rhetoric. While global social media platforms are banned domestically in China, they are leveraged internationally to disseminate state-approved messages and misinformation.

The report also pointed to China’s influence over Taiwanese newspapers and traditional media, often tied to the mainland business interests of media owners. This influence further amplifies Beijing’s ability to shape narratives within Taiwan.

China views Taiwan as a breakaway province and has reiterated its intent to reunify the island with the mainland, by force if necessary. In his New Year’s address, Chinese President Xi Jinping called reunification “inevitable,” asserting it would not be deterred by external forces—a veiled reference to the United States, Taiwan’s key ally.

Beijing has also intensified military activities around Taiwan, regularly deploying warplanes, ships, and surveillance balloons into Taiwanese airspace and waters. Large-scale military exercises simulating blockades and invasions have become more frequent, underscoring China’s expanding naval and missile capabilities designed to counter potential US military intervention.

Taiwan’s report underscores the growing challenge of countering Beijing’s multi-pronged approach, combining digital disinformation with military and economic pressures, as tensions between the two continue to escalate.