Dong Zhe

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Cross-strait shadows: Inside the Chinese influence campaign against Taiwan (Part III)

3 weeks ago | rfa.org | Zhuang Jing |Dong Zhe |Alan Lu

Read “Cross-strait shadows: Inside the Chinese influence campaign against Taiwan” (Part I here and Part II here)TAIPEI, Taiwan – Marketed as a cross-strait collaboration, “Taiwan’s Voice” presents itself as a local commentary platform. But behind the familiar hosts and studio lies a deeper link to China’s state-run media.
Does a video show a New Year’s dance party on a Taiwan’s navy vessel?

Feb 5, 2025 | rfa.org | Alan Lu |Dong Zhe

A video has been circulated in Chinese-language social media posts that claim it shows a New Year’s dance party on the Taiwanese navy ship ROCS Ma Kong. But the claim is false. The video was taken at a club in Bangkok, Thailand, in September 2024. Taiwan’s Ministry of National Defense also said the video was not taken at the ROCS Ma Kong. The video was shared on X on Jan. 5, 2025. “New Year’s dance party of Taiwan’s ROCS Ma Kong,” the caption of the video reads.
Cross-strait shadows: Inside the Chinese influence campaign against Taiwan (Part II)

Jan 8, 2025 | rfa.org | Dong Zhe |Alan Lu |Zhuang Jing

TAIPEI, Taiwan – In January 2022, urgent messages lit up the phone of Chang Meng-tsung, a Taiwanese social media commentator known for promoting better relations across the Taiwan Strait. “We’ve got to remove Lim!” insisted a Chinese reporter named Zhuo. He was referring to Freddy Lim, a Taiwanese legislator known for his pro-independence stance whose seat was up for a recall vote after residents in his district petitioned for a snap election. “Go after Lim today,” Zhuo urged.
Cross-strait shadows: Inside the Chinese influence campaign against Taiwan (Part I)

Jan 6, 2025 | rfa.org | Zhuang Jing |Dong Zhe |Alan Lu

TAEPEI, Taiwan – In the lead-up to Taiwan’s 2024 presidential election, an obscure news outlet called Fingermedia published what seemed like just another opinion poll. The December 2023 poll claimed a stunning reversal: opposition Kuomintang candidates, Hou Yu-ih and Jaw Shaw-kong, had suddenly overtaken the ruling Democratic Progressive Party candidate Lai Ching-te in the presidential race. Some suspected that something wasn’t quite right.
Did Syria fire all female judges after Bashar al-Assad’s fall?

Jan 3, 2025 | rfa.org | Dong Zhe

A claim emerged in Chinese-language social media posts that the new Syrian government established after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 dismissed all female judges. But the claim lacks evidence. The Syrian Ministry of Justice, in separate Facebook posts on Dec. 8 and 12, assured employees of stability in their positions, while inviting former employees to return without indicating any plans to remove women judges from their roles. The claim was shared on Weibo on Dec. 13, 2024.
Did Japan classify mRNA vaccines ‘deadliest drug’ in history?

Dec 9, 2024 | rfa.org | Dong Zhe

A screenshot of what appears to be a news article has been shared in Chinese-language social media posts that claim Japan officially classified mRNA COVID-19 vaccines as the “deadliest drug” in history. But the claim is false. The screenshot is from a fake news website that has spread online rumors for years. Japanese officials dismissed the claim. The screenshot, shared on X on Nov. 8, 2024, shows what appears to be a news article.
Does a video show the repatriation of a US soldier killed in Ukraine?

Nov 25, 2024 | rfa.org | Dong Zhe

A video has been shared in Chinese-language social media posts that claim it shows the body of a U.S. soldier, who was killed while fighting in Ukraine, spotted at an American airport. But the claim is false. The video shows a ceremony dedicated to a U.S. Air Corps private killed in World War II. The U.S. has said it would assist Ukraine by offering supplies and training but not by sending American troops to fight there. The video was shared on X Nov. 9, 2024.
Does a video show a Chinese official’s authority over Israeli leader?

Nov 18, 2024 | rfa.org | Dong Zhe

A video of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi has been circulated in Chinese-language social media posts alongside a claim that it shows him asserting his authority over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. But the claim is misleading. The video has been digitally edited to appear as if there was tension between the two officials. In the original video, Wang and Netanyahu can be seen shaking hands amicably. The video was shared on X on Oct.
Media Watch: Inter-Korean tension sparks rumors in China

Oct 31, 2024 | rfa.org | Dong Zhe |Rita Cheng |Alan Lu |Zhuang Jing

Tensions have intensified between North and South Korea following accusations of drone incursions and the exchange of threats. Both sides have raised their military alerts and North Korea has taken further steps by dismantling parts of shared infrastructure near the border. Meanwhile, in broader developments, South Korea and the United States say North Korea is supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine by sending troops that Seoul says is an escalation of the conflict.
Did Chinese helicopters fly over Taiwan during recent military exercises?

Oct 17, 2024 | rfa.org | Dong Zhe

A video of several helicopters flying over the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung has been shared over Chinese-language social media posts with the claim that they are mainland Chinese military helicopters. But the claim is false. The helicopters seen in the video are U.S. Apache and Black Hawk models. AFL also found no credible reports that show Chinese aircraft flew over Taiwan during the exercises. The video was shared on Douyin, the Chinese version of TikTok, on Oct.