Zhuang Jing

2 months ago | rfa.org | Rita Cheng |Zhuang Jing |Alan Lu

Since the second term of U.S. President Donald Trump began, multiple claims have circulated online suggesting that the U.S. has changed its policy toward Taiwan. Given Taiwan’s role in U.S.-China relations, any perceived policy shift can fuel uncertainty, influence public opinion, and escalate regional tensions. Misinterpretations or deliberate misinformation could shape global narratives, making such rumors highly significant. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be reunified.

Jan 20, 2025 | rfa.org | Alan Lu |Zhuang Jing

A Taiwanese media outlet reported that Ukraine’s all-robot unit destroyed a Russian company of soldiers near the city of Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine in December, citing American daily The Wall Street Journal. But the claim is false. The Wall Street Journal did not publish such a report. The Taiwanese media later issued a correction, saying that the news was an “allegation.”The report was published by the Taiwanese media outlet Newtalk News on Jan. 2.

Jan 16, 2025 | rfa.org | Zhuang Jing |Alan Lu

A video has been shared in Chinese-language social media posts that claim it shows scenes of California consumed by wildfires. But the claim is false. According to an AI analysis tool and expert, the video is not footage of the real wildfire but instead AI-generated. The video was shared on X on Jan. 11. “This looks like the end of the world! This is California, the wealthiest state in the U.S.,” the claim reads.

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.

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.