China’s use of propaganda may outwit US if Taiwan conflict arises, experts warn

Beijing’s study of the wars in Iran and Ukraine could sharpen its ability to wage information warfare against Americans during a Taiwan Strait conflict, exposing vulnerabilities in US preparedness, experts said on Wednesday.

S. Clinton Hinote, a retired US Lieutenant General, said he was “impressed” with the propaganda coming out of Iran since the outbreak of the war in February, warning that Beijing would deploy similar tactics if conflict erupts over Taiwan.

“That’s coming,” he told a discussion in Washington hosted by the Special Competitive Studies Project think tank.

“There’s this struggle for what is true, what is right, and it seems like there’s so much disinformation out there right now. I worry a lot that as a people, we, being the United States, aren’t very hardened … for what’s coming.”

Beijing sees Taiwan as part of China to be reunited by force if necessary. Most countries, including the US, do not recognise Taiwan as an independent state, but Washington is opposed to any attempt to take the self-ruled island by force and is committed to supplying it with weapons.

  

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