China Begins A New Propaganda War Against The West

Financial Times: Across much of the world, fear-mongering and xenophobia are creeping into public and political discourse.

In liberal democracies with traditions of free speech, vociferous denunciations of these attitudes can act as a counterweight. But in authoritarian countries where alternative narratives are forbidden, official attempts to demonise foreigners and “others” can be especially dangerous. In the past week, the Chinese government has launched several viral online videos that blame “western hostile forces” for a host of ills and supposed conspiracies within China.

The videos are crude but exceptionally powerful in their simplicity and emotional appeal. One video promoted by the Supreme People’s Procuratorate and Communist Youth League, two of the most powerful state bodies, begins with heartbreaking scenes of orphans and victims of the wars in Iraq and Syria, and then jumps to an assertion that the west, led by the US, is trying to subject China to the same fate.

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WNU Editor: The above video is one of these Chinese propaganda online videos. As to what is my take .... I have noticed this shift in the past 2 - 3 years .... and it raises my eyebrows. Is this a smart policy .... no .... especially since much of China's new wealth is dependent on trade deals and open markets with the West for its economy. But this policy of vilifying the West is intensifying .... and I do not see (or understand) what is their endgame and what are they ultimately trying to get from pursuing this policy. But if I was to hazard a guess .... I suspect that there are internal Chinese politics at play .... specifically President Xi laying the groundwork to cement his control of the government, and to portray his opponents as "friends of the West".

Update: Noah Feldman's analysis has some merit .... One Path to Power in China Is Closed (Bloomberg).