TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A Taiwan civil research organization reported Thursday that China is trying to weaken Taiwan’s resolve to defend itself by spreading disinformation about its military. 

The Taiwan Information Environment Research Center (台灣資訊環境研究中心) has studied Chinese tactics in disseminating propaganda to influence public perceptions. According to its new research report, the Chinese Communist Party has been manipulating information to the public about its government’s military capabilities, per CNA.

The civil society group said the CCP’s information campaign has the ultimate goal of unifying Taiwan with China. By spreading disinformation, China hopes to weaken Taiwanese confidence and the will to defend themselves.

The report said China uses four tactics to influence perceptions:

1. It spreads propaganda through Chinese government-run social media accounts, controlling algorithms through posts on platforms. 

2. The CCP keeps up with events in Taiwan and amplifies internal disputes for controversy, the report said.

3. The CCP has amplified the statements and views of Taiwanese who have been critical of Taiwan, including retired politicians, army generals, and influential media figures.

4. The CCP appeals to Taiwanese by emphasizing cultural and ethnic commonalities between Taiwan and China. This sense of shared identity has been spread by Chinese media and reposted by Taiwanese artists and internet celebrities.

In addition, the report said that the CCP has sown mistrust in the Taiwan-US relationship. For instance, Chinese media platforms have made comparisons between US President Donald Trump’s treatment of Ukraine and Taiwan’s situation.