How China Initiates Information Operations Against Taiwan

Puma Shen

《Taiwan Strategists》 12期 (2021/12) Pp. 19-34

摘要

China's information operation tactics have become a threat to the world, especially in the case of Taiwan. In addition to cyber-attacks, the disinformation campaigns initiated by China have expanded in the last five years. Traditionally, researchers utilize the cyber kill chain model to explain the dissemination of disinformation. However, the motivations and echo-systems of this model have seldom been explored. This article discusses the concept of 3Is: direct information operations initiated by Chinese actors, indirect investments toward Taiwanese local citizens, and an ideology-driven approach that weaponizes people in the market of disinformation. This categorization reveals the adversaries within the industry of production, their motivation, and their effectiveness. I further argue that, using COVID-19 narratives as an example, the 3Is collaboration indicates that China is capable of doing serious harm to foreign countries.

關鍵字

3Is ； Information Operation ； Investment ； Propaganda ； Ideology