Taiwan elections 2023: China intrude into Taiwan polls with disinformation using Tik Tok

Taiwan elections 2023: Taiwan who is gearing up for Presidential elections scheduled for January 13 next year. 

Lai Ching-te of the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) is up against Hou Yu-ih the Taipei Mayor representing the Kuomintan and Ko Wen-jie of the Taiwan People's Party.

 Even as Taiwan's people get ready to make the choice the apprehension is that Beijing is targeting young Taiwanese in an effort to influence their vote.

 However, China ramps up to intrude into Taiwan polls with disinformation using Tik Tok application. According to the media report, videos being shared on TikTok are aimed at propagating distrust in Taiwan's government and military.

The Chinese Communist Party [CCP] has defined this election as a choice between 'war and peace' and continues to spread the threat of war through China's state media."

"Pro-China candidates have even echoed these threats, claiming that a vote for the DPP is a vote to send young people to the battlefield. They are cooperating with the CCP to intimidate Taiwanese," the source added.

The aim of these video is diverting the voters' attention toward parties that may seem favorable to closer ties with Beijing and generate a Pro-China sentiment among younger voters in Taiwan.

China basically intends to use cognitive warfare to foster negative views on the policies of the ruling party among young Taiwanese, all with an eye toward affecting the outcome of the election," the source further added.

Taiwan's intelligence community warned that China had been working to influence Taiwan's upcoming election using disinformation. The goal of this was to bolster the chances of opposition candidates who are more likely to favor improving ties with Beijing.

In Taiwan, Government employees are banned from using TikTok but there is no blanket ban on the App for citizens.

- With inputs from agencies

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