Chinese Propaganda Spreads Virally in Taiwan, Raising Concerns

Beijing’s ‘Friendly Offensive’ Reshapes Taiwan’s Perception Through Social Media

It started with a song – one that millions in China put on replay, even though its words came from a politician who advocates for Taiwan’s independence.

The Chinese government has intensified its “gray zone” efforts across Taiwanese society through various media platforms, many Chinese-owned like TikTok and Rednote. These platforms portray China as a friendly neighbor and encourage young Taiwanese to see themselves as part of the same cultural group, rather than a distinct nation.

Members of Taiwan’s ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) have attempted to push for restrictions on TikTok, citing concerns over data privacy and the app’s potential to spread Chinese propaganda among youth. Beijing, however, has responded with what analysts describe as a “friendly offensive” – a softer approach that appears to be gaining traction.

In a notable recent example, Chinese state media popularized an old video of Taiwanese legislator Wang Shih-cheng, recorded when he was still a Taipei city councilor. In the clip, Wang criticizes the city’s mayor, but Chinese netizens and state-affiliated accounts repurposed his words, transforming them into an AI-generated song that quickly went viral, garnering millions of views across Chinese social media platforms.

The lyrics resonated deeply with Chinese audiences: “It was supposed to be smooth and easy, but now you’re a mess – running around, tripping over yourself. Lying straight-faced – what are you getting emotional about? Crying? Seriously? Don’t be pathetic.”

The song struck a chord in China by capturing a sentiment of youthful hope fading into midlife despair – reflecting the mood of many Chinese citizens amid economic challenges and social pressures.

Shortly after the song went viral, the Chinese Taiwan Affairs Office referenced the lyrics in its regular press briefing, using them as a metaphor to criticize the current state of cross-strait relations. The TAO implied that ties have deteriorated from “smooth and easy” to “a mess, tripping over themselves.”

The irony wasn’t lost on observers: Wang is a well-known pro-independence politician. When Taiwanese media asked for his thoughts about his sudden fame in China, he simply replied, “The internet is full of life and creativity.”

This represents one of the rare instances where the Chinese Communist Party’s official channels have amplified the words of a pro-independence politician. Yet this approach appears to be working: gradually, more DPP supporters are expressing opposition to banning TikTok. Across Taiwanese social media, pan-green voters (traditionally pro-independence) increasingly argue that “Taiwan can also use TikTok to influence China” – framing the platform as a two-way communication tool rather than a one-sided propaganda threat.

Meanwhile, a growing number of Taiwanese social media influencers are traveling to mainland China to livestream and produce lifestyle videos portraying China as friendly, modern, and open. These seemingly harmless clips have a cumulative effect: they soften public perceptions of China and create an illusion of safety – a sense that “we’re all the same people” and that Beijing poses no real threat to Taiwan’s autonomy.

At the same time, skepticism toward Taiwan’s key partner, the United States, is quietly growing. A recent Taiwan Public Opinion Foundation survey found that 44.8 percent of respondents do not believe U.S. President Donald Trump is willing to stop China from invading Taiwan, while only 6.8 percent believe he would act to protect Taiwan. This is striking, given how many prominent figures in the current U.S. political landscape have been vocal about strengthening Taiwan’s defense.

Security analysts suggest the United States needs a more comprehensive strategy to counter Beijing’s subversion efforts – not only domestically but also abroad. During the Cold War, Washington excelled at communicating its values and strategic messages to allies, providing alternative sources of information to those behind the Iron Curtain.

Taiwan today needs not only U.S. military support but also assistance in the ideological battle against Chinese influence operations. Beijing’s messaging campaign is slow but steady, and it is reshaping public attitudes in Taiwan in ways that could eventually erode resistance to unification with the mainland.

If Washington wishes to prevent this, experts argue it must pair its defense commitments with a renewed communication strategy – one that reinforces trust, transparency, and shared democratic identity among its allies. Otherwise, China’s soft power offensive may succeed where military coercion has thus far failed.