Fox: China Is Hiding a '401K Nuke Switch' Under Trump's Nose

China holds $784B in U.S. debt-and may trigger a dollar collapse. Gold is already soaring, with forecasts up to $6,000-$30,000. Protect your savings now. Claim the free 2025 Gold Guide and discover a Trump-era IRS loophole to buy gold tax- and penalty-free.

In global game of influence, China turns to a cheap and effective tool: fake news

DIDI TANG and DAVID KLEPPER
September 28, 2024

WASHINGTON (AP) -- When veteran U.S. diplomat Kurt Campbell traveled to the Solomon Islands to counter Beijing's influence in the South Pacific country, he quickly saw just how far China would go to spread its message.

The Biden administration's Asia czar woke up one morning in 2022 to a long article in the local press about the U.S. running chemical and biological labs in Ukraine, a claim that Washington calls an outright lie. Started by Russia, the false and incendiary claim was vigorously amplified by China's vast overseas propaganda apparatus.

It was another example of "clearly effective Russian and Chinese disinformation," Campbell told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee in July.

Two years later, the claim still reverberates online, demonstrating China's sprawling effort to reshape global perceptions. The campaign, costing many billions per year, is becoming ever more sophisticated thanks to artificial intelligence. China's operations have caught the attention of intelligence analysts and policymakers in Washington, who vow to combat any actions that could influence the November election or undermine American interests.

The key tactic: networks of websites purporting to be legitimate news outlets, delivering pro-China coverage that often parallels official statements and positions from Beijing.

Shannon Van Sant, an adviser to the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, tracked a network of dozens of sites that posed as news organizations. One site mimicked The New York Times, using a similar font and design in what she called an attempt at legitimacy. The site carried strongly pro-Chinese messages.

When Van Sant researched the site's reporters she found no information. Their names didn't belong to any known journalists working in China, and their photos bore telltale signs of being created with AI.

"Manipulation of the media is ultimately a manipulation of readers and the audience, and this is damaging to democracy and society," Van Sant said.

Liu Pengyu, spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in the U.S., said allegations that China uses news websites and social media to spread pro-Beijing information and influence public opinion in the U.S. "are full of malicious speculations against China, which China firmly opposes."

In addition to its state media, Beijing has turned to foreign players -- real or not -- to relay messages and lend credibility to narratives favoring the Communist Party, said Xiao Qiang, a research scientist at the School of Information at the University of California, Berkeley. Xiao also is editor-in-chief of China Digital Times, a bilingual news website that aggregates information from and about China.

Beijing's methods are wide-ranging and links to the government are often difficult to prove, Xiao said. But whether it's journalists with American-sounding names or an Indian influencer, the consistently pro-Beijing messages give them away.

"The implicit message is the same -- that the Chinese Communist Party works for its people," Xiao said.

Analysts at the cybersecurity firm Logically identified 1,200 websites that had carried Russian or Chinese state media stories. The sites often target specific audiences and have names that sound like traditional news organizations or defunct newspapers.

Unlike Russia or Iran, which have displayed clear preferences in the U.S. presidential campaign, Beijing is more cautious and focused on spreading positive content about China.

While the sites aren't owned by China, they run Chinese content. When Logically looked at content specifically about the U.S. election, 20% could be traced back to Chinese or Russian state media.

"There's a decent likelihood that these articles could influence U.S. audiences without them even knowing where it comes from," said Alex Nelson, Logically's senior manager for strategy and analysis.

According to the Gallup World Poll, more countries surveyed view the U.S. positively, but the share of countries where views of both the U.S. and China are negative overall is higher than 15 years ago, signaling the U.S. doesn't appear to be making gains over China.

Some U.S. officials want to increase spending to even the playing field. The House of Representatives this month approved a bill that would authorize $325 million annually through 2027 to counter China's global influence, including its disinformation campaigns. The measure still needs Senate approval.

"We are in a global competition for influence with China, and if you want to win it, then you cannot do it on a middle-power budget," said Rep. Gregory Meeks, a Democrat from New York.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has demanded a systematic buildup of Chinese narratives that would give his country a global voice "commensurate with" its international stature.

Beijing has invested in state media such as the Xinhua news agency and China Central Television to convey its messages to global audiences in various languages and platforms. Media groups at the local level are creating "international communication centers" to build an overseas presence with websites, news channels and social media accounts.

Beijing also has struck media partnerships worldwide, and the article Campbell read in the Solomon Islands is likely a result of those.

China's outreach is tied to the global race for economic dominance in electric vehicles, computer chips, AI and quantum computing, said Jaret Riddick, a senior fellow at Georgetown University's Center for Security and Emerging Technology.

"The countries that lead on emerging technologies will be the countries that have a great advantage going forward," Riddick said.

To tell its story, Beijing has not shied away from using fake personas. A 2023 State Department report detailed the case of a published writer named Yi Fan, originally described as a Chinese foreign ministry analyst. Yi morphed into a journalist, then became an independent analyst.

Yi's details changed, but the message did not. Through published commentaries and writings, Yi trumpeted close ties between China and Africa, praised Beijing's approach to environmental sustainability and argued that China must counter distorted Western narratives.

Then there was Wilson Edwards, a supposed Swiss virologist quoted in Chinese media as a COVID-19 expert who criticized the U.S. response. But Swiss officials found no evidence he existed.

"If you exist, we would like to meet you!" the Swiss Embassy in Beijing wrote on social media.

___

AP writer Amelia Thomson-DeVeaux contributed from Washington.

Continue Reading...

Popular

Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' Offers Seniors A $6,000 'Bonus' Tax Deduction: Here's How You Qualify For The Benefit

Trump's Big, Beautiful Bill offers a $6,000 senior bonus deduction from 2025-28. Couples can save $12,000. Retirees with incomes up to $75,000 benefit most.

Cuban's AI Prediction, IBM's Rise, Musk's New Hire And More: This Week In AI

Top stories on AI, including Cuban predicting a trillionaire, IBM's success, Musk's xAI hire, and debates on AI's impact on employment.

Is Elon's Empire Crumbling? - Ad

Jeff Brown - the legend who called Tesla and Nvidia early - says Elon is about to launch a $25T AI revolution. This isn't another chatbot. It's real-world AI that could 14X the impact of ChatGPT. But after July 23rd, it may be too late.

Marjorie Taylor Greene: 'Muslim Takeover' Threatens American Women

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) has expressed her fears regarding what she believes to be the most significant threat to the freedom of American women.

Cargo ship carrying new vehicles to Mexico sinks in the North Pacific weeks after catching fire

ANCHORAGE, Alaska (AP) — A cargo ship that had been delivering new vehicles to Mexico sank in the North Pacific Ocean, weeks after crew members abandoned ship when they couldn’t extinguish an onboard fire that left the carrier dead in the water.

Back This Medical AI Tech - Ad

You don't often find healthcare tech company valued at $4M. HeartSciences is an exception. With $75M invested, including R&D, clinical trials, and product development, their patented AI software is approaching FDA submission, a potential major inflection point.

Bernie Sanders Shares First Thing He Would Do As President — And It Could Be A Jab At Elon Musk

Bernie Sanders lost the 2016 and 2020 presidential races. In a recent interview, Sanders shared what he would do first if he were president.

Trump vents online about service provider after conference call marred by glitch

WASHINGTON (AP) — On Monday afternoon, the president of the United States was just another person complaining online about his service provider.

Wall Street Says BUY GOLD, But... - Ad

While markets wobble, gold keeps smashing records-and banks say it's just beginning. Goldman urges "buy gold" to hedge trade wars; JPMorgan plans $6,000 an ounce and just took delivery of $4 billion in bullion. Yet past bull runs saw 13x-1,000x bigger gains without buying more gold.

Trump's Tariffs, Boeing's Blowout, Tesla's Robotaxi, BYD's European Triumph And GM's Massive Recall: This Week In Mobility

This week's business and finance highlights include Japan's rejection of Trump's auto tariffs, Boeing's scrutiny over a mid-air incident, Tesla's Robotaxi launch, BYD's dominance in Europe, and GM's massive vehicle recall.

How to manage ADHD at work and turn it into a strength

NEW YORK (AP) — Jeremy Didier had taken her son to a psychologist for a when she spotted an article about women with the condition. As she read it in the waiting room, she thought to herself: They're describing me.

The Unlikely Duo Rethinking Wearable Technology - Ad

Why did a surgeon and Snap exec team up? They saw the missing ingredient in the $84T wearables market: behavior. So they built Emteq and invented smart glasses sensors to track real-time expressions, unlocking insights into why we do things. With a $15M term sheet already secured, Emteq is what Big Tech's missing.

Nike soars on a production shift away from China, but it warns of a $1 billion tariff hit

Nike's shares jumped at the opening bell Friday after the company said it's shifting some production away from China. But it also warned that tariffs imposed by the Trump administration will cost it about $1 billion before it makes internal changes, which include “surgical” price increases in the U.S. starting this fall.

How to Hack a $1.3T Market - Ad

Forget concrete. The new foundation for real estate success is digital, and Pacaso leads the way. Their tech unlocks a $1.3T real estate market. They've already earned $110M+ in gross profits in their operating history and reserved the Nasdaq ticker PCSO.

Big Banks Pass Fed's 2025 Stress Test With Ease—But Some Say It Was Too Easy

All major U.S. banks passed the Fed's 2025 stress test, but critics say easier assumptions may have padded the results.

FDA Submission Expected This Summer - Invest Before It Happens - Ad

This company is making heart disease easier to detect with AI. Their tech has officially been designated a "Breakthrough" by the FDA. You now have an opportunity to get in at a potential inflection point.

T-Mobile Stock (TMUS) Plunges After SoftBank's $4.8B Share Sale: Report

T-Mobile stock is down over 4% after SoftBank reportedly sold $4.8 billion in shares at a discount. This major share sale by a key investor is contributing significantly to the stock's decline Tuesday.

A Historic Gold Announcement Is About to Rock Wall Street - Ad

The greatest investor of all time is about to validate what Garrett Goggin has been saying for months: Gold is entering a once-in-a-generation mania. Front-running Buffett has never been more urgent - and four tiny miners could be your ticket to 100X gains.

China lifts a nearly 2-year ban on seafood from Japan over Fukushima wastewater

BEIJING (AP) — China has to seafood from Japan after a nearly two-year ban over the discharge of slightly radioactive wastewater from the tsunami-destroyed Fukushima nuclear power plant.

Elon Musk Says X Will Charge Advertisers By Screen Size To Curb 'Giant Ads' That Hurt User Experience

Elon Musk announced that X will transition to charging advertisers based on vertical screen size, marking a significant shift in the platform's revenue strategy as the company works to restore advertising income to pre-acquisition levels.

The Tesla Shock Nobody Sees Coming - Ad

While headlines scream "Tesla is doomed"...Jeff Brown has uncovered a revolutionary AI breakthrough buried inside Tesla's labs. One that is helping AI escape from our computer screens and manifest itself here in the real world all while creating a 25,000% growth market explosion starting as early as July 23rd.

Forget Robotaxis - Ford Just Drove Straight Into Tesla's Valuation Problem

Ford CEO questions Tesla's approach to autonomy, citing safety concerns and unrealistic valuation. Alphabet's Waymo may be the underrated value play.

Canadian Prime Minister Carney says trade talks with US resume after Canada rescinded tech tax

TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said late Sunday trade talks with U.S. have resumed after Canada rescinded its plan to tax U.S. technology firms.

The Missing Ingredient for Big Tech's $3T Recipe? - Ad

Big Tech doesn't build everything; they buy what's next. And only Emteq's tech offers real behavior insights for smart glasses, key to unlocking the $3T XR market. Their patented sensors track live facial muscle movements. With health-focused smart glasses in demand, only Emteq has this tech.

Nearly 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon recalled over possible listeria contamination

Nearly 368,000 pounds of Oscar Mayer turkey bacon products are being recalled over possible contamination with , federal health officials said Wednesday.

Fox: China Is Hiding a '401K Nuke Switch' Under Trump's Nose - Ad

China holds $784B in U.S. debt-and may trigger a dollar collapse. Gold is already soaring, with forecasts up to $6,000-$30,000. Protect your savings now. Claim the free 2025 Gold Guide and discover a Trump-era IRS loophole to buy gold tax- and penalty-free.

Hong Kong's security net extends beyond arrests as small businesses pressured

HONG KONG (AP) — It’s been years since all but silenced pro-democracy activism in Hong Kong. But a crackdown on dissent in the semiautonomous Chinese city is still expanding, hitting restaurants, bookstores and other small businesses.

Home Depot's $5.5B Deal Expands Its Reach To Thousands Of Job Sites

Analyst maintains Buy rating on Home Depot with $450 price target, noting plans for subsidiary SRS Distribution to acquire GMS for $4.3B.

Is Elon's Empire Crumbling? - Ad

Jeff Brown - the legend who called Tesla and Nvidia early - says Elon is about to launch a $25T AI revolution. This isn't another chatbot. It's real-world AI that could 14X the impact of ChatGPT. But after July 23rd, it may be too late.

Iran’s president orders country to suspend cooperation with UN nuclear watchdog IAEA

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s president on Wednesday ordered the country to suspend its cooperation with after American and Israeli airstrikes hit its most-important nuclear facilities, likely further limiting inspectors' ability to track Tehran's program that had been enriching uranium to near weapons-grade levels.

Trump ramps up attacks on the Federal Reserve but Powell sticks to 'wait and see' stance

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell on Tuesday stuck to that the central bank will keep its key rate on hold while it waits to see how President Donald Trump's effect the economy, despite the from the White House, which wants lower borrowing costs.

Back This Medical AI Tech - Ad

You don't often find healthcare tech company valued at $4M. HeartSciences is an exception. With $75M invested, including R&D, clinical trials, and product development, their patented AI software is approaching FDA submission, a potential major inflection point.

Sig Sauer, faced with lawsuits over a popular pistol, gets protection in New Hampshire

CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — Faced with mounting lawsuits over a popular pistol, New Hampshire-based Sig Sauer asked for — and got — protection in the form of a new state law that makes it harder to .

Wall Street Says BUY GOLD, But... - Ad

While markets wobble, gold keeps smashing records-and banks say it's just beginning. Goldman urges "buy gold" to hedge trade wars; JPMorgan plans $6,000 an ounce and just took delivery of $4 billion in bullion. Yet past bull runs saw 13x-1,000x bigger gains without buying more gold.

Diddy Jury Deadlocked On Racketeering Conspiracy Charge As Verdicts Reached On Sex Trafficking Counts — Jurors To Return Wednesday

Jurors in Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial reached verdicts on four charges related to sex trafficking but remain deadlocked on the racketeering conspiracy charge, with deliberations set to continue.

Trending Now

Information, charts or examples are for illustration and educational purposes only and not for individualized investment management This message contains commercial elements, such as advertising. We only send these offers to those who have opted in to our newsletter. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For these reasons we strongly suggest trading in a DEMO/Simulated account. The information provided by us is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties concerning the products, practices or procedures of any company or entity mentioned or recommended and have not determined if the statements and opinions of the advertiser are accurate, correct or truthful. If you use, act upon or make decisions in reliance on information contained or any external source linked within it, you do so at your own peril and agree to hold us, our officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and agents without fault.

Copyright smartmoneytrading.net
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service