China's Propaganda Efforts Intensify During Military Exercises

REPORTER:

Besides showcasing its military power, China has also heightened propaganda efforts during the exercises. Alan Lu reports.

Supposed drone footage of Taipei 101.

On the second day of its military exercises, Chinese state media circulated this video, saying it shows Taiwan’s tallest building from the perspective of the People’s Liberation Army. Framing it as a show of intimidation, suggesting the city is within striking range.

But Taiwan’s defense ministry says there’s no way Chinese drones came that close.

The Chinese drones were all operating beyond 24 nautical miles.

So this claim does not match the facts.

We believe this is clearly an example of cognitive warfare.

After the footage surfaced, some questioned its authenticity, saying it may have been AI-generated or taken from a live camera in Taipei.

But experts say the footage appears to be real.

Paul Liu (TAIWAN DIGITAL SECURITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOC.):  

Because in the complete version of the video you can see the stabilizer making a turn. When you’re using a stabilizer or flying a drone when you change direction like this there really can be a brief, sudden stutter. So given these aspects, in my view I think the footage is highly likely to be real.

Another possibility. It could have been filmed by a civilian drone, not a military one.

Paul Liu (TAIWAN DIGITAL SECURITY DEVELOPMENT ASSOC.):  

If you’re filming with a stabilizer or using a civilian drone you have a much wider field of view and you would notice an aircraft approaching from the right so it would be natural for you to pan the camera to the right.

Some are weighing in on the goal of the propaganda.

Tzeng Yi-suo (DEFENSE ANALYST, INDSR):  

This is actually a pretty old tactic. It involves harassment by their military aircraft and naval vessels paired with messaging that suggests they are “at the city gates” moving closer and closer to Taiwan and highlighting warning-style markers on some of Taiwan’s landmarks deliberately marking them to imply that they’ve already crossed the line and encroached on Taiwan. This is meant to intimidate.

China has shown that its military exercises aren’t just a display of firepower. They also involve propaganda that has started to reach Taiwanese society.

In one case, personnel from a Taipei military reserve counseling center were found sharing messages that praise the Chinese military in group chats. Taiwan’s defense ministry says it has addressed the controversy and removed the personnel from the chats.

But officials may have much more on their hands ahead as they look to counter China’s growing psychological warfare.