China's recent military drills near Taiwan are not only a show of military strength but also a calculated propaganda campaign targeting the millennial generation. Seven video clips, strategically disseminated through party organs and social media, aim to normalize and even romanticize a potential war with Taiwan.
The propaganda utilizes video game aesthetics and memes to reach its target audience, but its message is far from subtle. One video, titled 'Extermination of Evil,' features scenes from a popular Chinese video game intercut with footage of military aircraft targeting Taiwanese infrastructure. Another video depicts Taiwanese President William Lai as a parasite, who is 'burned' by the Chinese military.
This dehumanization of Taiwanese aims to justify the impending conflict and portray Taiwan's defense as an act of aggression.
China's aggressive rhetoric may be driven by a perceived weakening of US commitment to Taiwan, under the presidency of Donald Trump. The possibility of the US failing to intervene in a conflict increases China's confidence in its ability to annex Taiwan.
The article highlights Taiwan's crucial role in the global semiconductor industry, which serves as a 'silicon shield' protecting the island. However, the longevity of this protection is questioned.
Xi Jinping, aiming to achieve Taiwan's unification before his death, faces the challenge of motivating a population for a war that could potentially result in significant losses, considering China's one-child policy. This propaganda campaign, in part, is an effort to sway public opinion.
The article draws parallels between China's propaganda strategy and Russia's narrative during its invasion of Ukraine, portraying Taiwan as a puppet of the US and attempting to shift the blame for the potential conflict onto Taiwan itself.
The propaganda campaign signifies that while military maneuvers are simulated, the information war against Taiwan is already in full swing.