According to an exclusive Reuters report, during his presidency, former President Donald Trump authorized the Central Intelligence Agency to conduct a covert operation on Chinese social media. The operation aimed to sow discontent among the Chinese public against its government, as per former U.S. officials familiar with the classified mission.
Three former officials interviewed by Reuters disclosed that the CIA formed a small team of operatives who utilized false online identities to disseminate negative narratives about Chinese leaders. Concurrently, these operatives leaked derogatory intelligence to news outlets. U.S. officials confirmed that the operation was intended to spread paranoia among China’s top leaders.
Former CIA agents refrained from providing specific details about the mission. However, they mentioned that some of the claims involved allegations of hiding illicit money overseas and accusations of corruption within China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the U.S. operation, accusing the United States of manipulating international public opinion.
The CIA’s operation reportedly responded to China’s aggressive covert efforts to expand its global influence.
Trump pursued a tougher stance on China compared to his predecessor, signaling a return to Cold War-era methods, according to former U.S. officials interviewed by Reuters.
The impact of the secret operations has not been publicly disclosed, nor is it known whether President Joe Biden has continued the program. Two intelligence historians informed Reuters that covert action authority often persists across administrations when granted by the White House.
Trump has hinted at adopting an even more robust approach towards China if he is reelected in November.
Thomas Rid, a professor at Johns Hopkins University who authored a book on the history of political warfare, expressed concern about the risky nature of the covert operation. Rid warned that it could escalate tensions with China, especially at a time when they could retaliate through trade.