In a highly classified operation that began in 2019, President Donald Trump authorized the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) to launch a clandestine campaign on Chinese social media platforms, aiming to turn public opinion in China against its government. According to former U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the operation, a small team of CIA operatives utilized fake internet identities to spread negative narratives about Xi Jinping's government and leaked disparaging intelligence to overseas news outlets.

The covert operation, which has not been previously reported, was a response to China's aggressive covert efforts to increase its global influence. The CIA team focused on promoting allegations that members of China's ruling Communist Party were hiding ill-gotten money overseas and criticized China's Belt and Road Initiative as corrupt and wasteful.

While specific details of the operation were not provided, the former U.S. officials stressed that the negative narratives were based on factual information, despite being disseminated through false cover stories by CIA operatives. The intent behind the campaign was to create paranoia among China's top leaders, forcing the government to devote resources to counter intrusions into its tightly controlled internet.

The CIA's engagement in such influence campaigns harkens back to the tactics employed during the Cold War, as tensions between the United States and China resemble a new kind of "Cold War." Tim Weiner, an author specializing in political warfare, remarked on the return of Cold War-era methods in the current U.S.-China struggle.

It remains unclear what impact the covert operations had or whether President Joe Biden's administration has continued the program. When the White House grants the CIA covert action authority, it often remains in place across administrations, according to two intelligence historians. However, spokespersons for the Biden administration's National Security Council have declined to comment on the existence or current status of the program.

The operation against Beijing carried significant risks given China's economic power and potential for retaliation through trade. In the past, China has demonstrated its ability to block trade and impose tariffs as a response to perceived provocations. Consequently, the covert campaign required careful consideration of these potential consequences.

China's Foreign Ministry responded to the news of the CIA initiative, asserting that the United States uses public opinion space and media platforms as weapons to spread false information and manipulate international public opinion.

While covert propaganda campaigns may allow the United States to disseminate information in countries with censorship or skeptical audiences, critics warn of potential backlashes. China could use evidence of a CIA influence program to reinforce its accusations of Western subversion, which would resonate with developing nations skeptical of Washington's intentions.

Such covert operations also raise concerns about the safety of dissidents, opposition groups critical of China, and independent journalists. These individuals could be falsely painted as CIA assets, endangering their lives and undermining their credibility.

The revelations about the CIA's clandestine campaign on Chinese social media shed light on the ongoing battle for influence between the United States and China. As international tensions continue to rise, the use of covert operations to shape public opinion further intensifies the rivalry between the two global powers.