It is vital to shift the spotlight onto Taiwan’s strategy in managing Chinese disinformation, especially as 2024 witnesses elections in several countries, including in India.
In 2024, Taiwan became the first country among at least 60 countries worldwide to hold its elections. The successful election of its next president served as a remarkable demonstration of democracy, marking the first instance of a ruling party in Taiwan securing a third consecutive term. Despite the evident transparency in Taiwan’s presidential and legislative elections, they were not without challenges. While Taiwanese presidential candidates focused on their campaigns, China launched a disinformation campaign aimed at influencing the election results—a tactic familiar to Taiwan and its politicians. Particularly noteworthy was the significant obstacle posed by Chinese disinformation in the lead-up to the elections, amplified by the extensive use of artificial intelligence and deepfake technology. Nevertheless, Taiwan adeptly addressed and managed the issue, ensuring minimal impact on its electoral process.
Leading up to the elections in Taiwan, a series of events unfolded, embodying the menace of election disinformation. A significant portion of this disinformation emanated from China. This is unsurprising, given that cross-Strait relations under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration were at its lowest point, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership had opted to cease dialogue with the DPP. Consequently, a third term for the DPP was not in the CCP’s interests, and the manipulation of the election process was a strategic move by the CCP in anticipation of the victory of the Kuomintang (KMT), a major opposition party in Taiwan.
A significant development took place when a 300-page e-book titled “The Secret History of Tsai Ing-wen” surfaced on Chinese social media platforms. It is believed to have been initially published on Zenodo, an online open repository, in December 2023. This e-book, filled with false rumours about Tsai, quickly spread across various online platforms. Additionally, rumours began circulating about Vice President-elect Bi-khim Hsiao, who recently served as Taiwan’s representative to the United States. Some unfounded claims suggested she was still American and deceiving the Taiwanese. An intriguing incident involved a local daily in Taiwan reporting a meeting between US and Taiwanese officials in the South China Sea in 2022 to discuss establishing a bioweapon lab. This story was later debunked as fake news, with its source traced back to China. The incident adds an interesting dimension to the war vs peace narrative, emphasized by opposition parties and China during the election—suggesting that a vote for KMT symbolises peace, while a vote for DPP might lead Taiwan into conflict with China, of course, which is not true.
The use of AI and circulation of deep fakes were rampant, exposing the dangerous proliferation of fake visuals. Fake videos and images originated mostly from China using simplified characters opposed to traditional Mandarin used in Taiwan.
Taiwan has made significant investments in addressing disinformation through a collaborative effort between the government and civil society.
The Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) was established in 2022, complemented by various think tanks and civil society organisations that extensively focus on research to counter disinformation warfare.
It is vital to shift the spotlight onto Taiwan’s strategy in managing Chinese disinformation, especially as 2024 witnesses elections in several countries. With potential external interference, particularly in the form of disinformation, countries like India currently in election mode should prioritise understanding and countering Chinese disinformation tactics. India and Taiwan faced a challenge when the proposed India-Taiwan labour pact became a target of purposeful misinformation, originating from accounts and sources based in China. Drawing inspiration from Taiwan’s playbook, there is an opportunity for collaboration between the two countries to address shared challenges.
There are numerous opportunities for collaboration between India and Taiwan to address disinformation and bolster cooperation in this domain, particularly in light of the expanding influence of AI. India has demonstrated proactive measures by banning TikTok, recognising its potential for disseminating disinformation. Although Taiwanese government officials are prohibited from using the controversial app, Taiwan may contemplate implementing a similar ban domestically, considering the susceptibility of Taiwanese citizens to the proliferation of fake news circulated on the platform. Second, India should actively engage in the Taiwan-led Global Cooperation and Training Framework, specifically concentrating on countering election manipulation and disinformation. Third, establishing a joint working group at the government level would be crucial for mutual learning from each other’s best practices. Lastly, exploring the possibility of a joint think tank or collaborative research effort could further strengthen the partnership between the two countries.
Election disinformation poses a significant threat. Timely collaboration and cooperation are essential to safeguard the integrity of electoral processes, creating an avenue for enhanced cooperation between India and Taiwan.
Alan Hao Yang is executive director at the Taiwan-Asia Exchange Foundation (TAEF) and distinguished professor at the Graduate Institute of East Asian Studies, National Chengchi University, Taiwan.
Sana Hashmi is a postdoctoral fellow at TAEF, and a fellow at George H.W. Bush Foundation for U.S.-China Relations.