Chinese information campaign pushes pro-CCP coronavirus-related narratives in Poland
A Chinese information campaign aimed at Poland sought to advance pro-Chinese during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. The most suspicious activity concerns numerous Twitter accounts that responded to posts from the U.S. and Chinese ambassadors with pro-China messages. The combination of imperfect translations, consistent mass targeting of the U.S. ambassador posts, and often recent creation of accounts with few other tweets suggest the work of bots. Additionally, U.S. sources and media reports suggest that Chinese cooperation to deliver medical equipment and supplies only occurred once Polish President Andrzej agreed to China’s President Xi Jinping to thank him, a call that was then heralded by Chinese authorities. This was in addition to more conventional public diplomacy initiatives such the publication of pieces by China’s ambassador published in a leading Polish newspaper. Even those were criticized as crudely and uncritically reproducing the CCP’s propaganda.

About This Incident

Threat Actors: China

Incident Metadata

Date: 2020 (starting in March, but ongoing)
Country: Poland