In a highly classified operation authorized by former President Donald Trump, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) launched a clandestine campaign on Chinese social media aimed at turning public opinion against the Chinese government, according to former U.S. officials with direct knowledge of the operation.

The campaign, which began in 2019, saw the creation of a small team of CIA operatives who utilized fake internet identities to spread negative narratives about Chinese President Xi Jinping's government. These operatives also leaked disparaging intelligence to overseas news outlets, as reported by Reuters, though specific details of the operations were not provided.

The CIA's efforts focused on promoting allegations that members of the ruling Communist Party were hiding ill-gotten money overseas and criticizing China's Belt and Road Initiative as corrupt and wasteful. The goal was to create paranoia among top Chinese leaders, forcing their government to allocate resources toward countering perceived intrusions into their tightly controlled internet.

While the impact and continuation of the covert operation under President Joe Biden remain unknown, the authorization granted by Trump marked a tougher stance towards China than his predecessors. The operation was a response to China's aggressive covert efforts in recent years, aimed at increasing its global influence.

The covert campaign carries significant risks, given China's economic power and its potential to retaliate through trade. The Chinese government has accused the U.S. of using the "public opinion space and media platforms as weapons to spread false information and manipulate international public opinion."

The use of covert messaging by the United States allows for the implantation of ideas in countries where censorship might hinder the dissemination of information. However, experts warn that such campaigns can backfire and strengthen China's allegations of Western subversion, potentially endangering dissidents, opposition groups critical of China, and independent journalists who could be falsely linked to CIA involvement.

Over the years, covert propaganda campaigns have been employed during the Cold War era, including efforts by the CIA to undermine the Soviet Union. The covert propaganda campaign against China could fuel Beijing's long-standing accusations of Western interference and rejection of peaceful coexistence principles.

As the United States and China continue to navigate their complex relationship, the use of covert operations to influence public opinion is a reminder of the strategic challenges faced in the global arena.