BỘ GIÁO DỤC VÀ ĐÀO TẠO

TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC KINH TẾ - TÀI CHÍNH TP.HCM

KHOA QUAN HỆ QUỐC TẾ

READING IN POLITICAL SCIENCE

LITERATURE REVIEW
TOPIC : POLITICAL WARFARE BY CHINA TO INFLUENCE
THE UNITED STATES THROUGH

THE MEDIA

Instructors : Trần Minh Nhân

Student name : Trần Ái Minh

ID :

Class : 222.IRE1104E.A02E

Submission date : 11/04/2023

 ● Introduction paragraph (Overview of the literature review and its significance and brief
background on China's political warfare tactics):

Political warfare is a great strategy used by nations around the world to control others. Technological
advances have made the media a powerful tool for shaping public opinion and influencing political
decisions. China, one of the world's superpowers, has been accused of using political warfare to
influence the United States through the media. This literature review aims to analyze and review the
existing literature on China's political warfare and its impact on the United States through the media.
This study explores China's underlying motivations and strategies, the role of the media in shaping
public opinion, and the impact of such influence on US foreign policy. Through this analysis, the study
hopes to develop a comprehensive understanding of China's political media warfare and its impact on
the United States. 

The concept of "political warfare" and its use by China to influence the United States.

This study began with a discussion of the concept of political warfare and how it differs from
traditional hard and soft power approaches. Political warfare is claimed to be a form of "asymmetric
warfare" that seeks to influence the behavior of the other without resorting to military force (Delisle,
2020).

It then examined the various tactics used by China in its political warfare campaign, such as economic
coercion, information operations, and cyber operations. The paper argued that these tactics have been
used to influence US policy in areas such as trade, technology and the South China Sea (Delisle, 2020).

Information operations, propaganda, and disinformation

DeLisle argued that China's turn to political warfare is a reaction to its inability to compete with the
United States in traditional military and economic fields. However, according to Doshi in "The Long
Game: China's Grand Strategy to Displace American Order", China's strategy is working. He pointed to
the fact that China has become the world's second largest economy and is now the largest trading
partner for many countries and has become increasingly influential in international organizations such
as the United Nations and the World Trade Organization. He also argued that China's military
modernization has allowed it to challenge the United States in the South China Sea and other areas.
This proves that China's political influence has been having a strong impact on the United States and its

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allies. From Doshi's arguments, I believe that Delisle should have a different perspective on China's
power in terms of military, economic and media because Doshi has provided evidence that proves
China's strength. China is not inferior to the US but is just choosing a strategy to benefit them.

Not only that, China's strategy of political warfare through the media. It played an important role in
spreading propaganda and disinformation and shaping public opinion (Delisle, 2020). The Chinese
government controlled and monitored domestic media to ensure only state-approved messages were
broadcast. They also used social media platforms to spread their message and suppress dissent (Kania,
2020). China's media strategy includes the creation and distribution of content that promotes its own
interests and undermines its opponents. In addition, China had invested heavily in enabling foreign
media to influence the stories presented in international news (Kit Chan, 2021). To sum up, China's use
of media in political warfare was an important part of its overall strategy to expand its influence and
challenge the existing international order (Kumar, 2019).

In addition to avoiding being heavily influenced by the US. China's political warfare also focused on
three main areas: shaping perceptions of China, recruiting or neutralizing potential adversaries, and
influencing policy outcomes. It employed a variety of tactics to achieve these objectives, such as media
manipulation, cyberattacks, and espionage (Delisle, 2020). China has invested heavily in US media and
cultural institutions, such as the Confucius Institute, which has been advocated for their lack of
academic freedom and Chinese government influence (Fitzpatrick, Gill, & Giles, 2022).

China's use of information manipulation, propaganda, and disinformation within the United States has
become increasingly common in recent years. One example is the Confucius Institute, which has been
accused of spreading propaganda and restricting academic freedom on American college campuses
(Paterson, 2020). Additionally, China was involved in American politics, trying to steal trade secrets
and contributing to election campaigns to influence policy decisions (Trunkos, 2020). China's use of
cyber espionage to steal US intellectual property has also raised concerns, as evidenced by the theft of
sensitive personal information from the US Office of Personnel Management (Shuya, 2019). Finally,
China's influence over the American media has been criticized as undermining the integrity of
American journalism. These tactics raise concerns about China's influence and its impact on US
democratic institutions and processes (Delisle, 2020). Overall, China's use of information
manipulation, propaganda, and disinformation within the United States is part of a broader strategy to

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advance China's interests and shape global narratives on important issues. These tactics raise concerns
about China's influence and its impact on US democratic institutions and processes.

Challenges faced by the United States

So before the above actions of China, the challenges and difficulty of the US in detecting and
countering China's political warfare tactics are huge. These include the challenges and difficulty of
exposing and countering China's political warfare tactics through the media, the difficulty of
distinguishing legitimate content from propaganda or disinformation, and the difficulty of using proxies
such as non-state actors and criminal gangs to wage political warfare on China's behalf (Delisle, 2020).
To address these challenges, the United States should invest in strong intelligence-gathering
capabilities, raise public awareness of foreign interference, work closely with allies and partners to
counter these threats and international cooperation to share information and best practices (Forest,
2021).

Furthermore, the author argued that defending America's democratic institutions and national interests
against China's political warfare through the media is essential. This manipulation of public opinion
through disinformation and propaganda poses a grave threat to US foreign policy and national security,
as it could divide American society and undermine the integrity of American journalism (Delisle,
2020). Therefore, the U.S. government should counter China's media political warfare by strengthening
cybersecurity measures, promoting media literacy, working with international partners, investing in
research and development, and participating in diplomatic efforts to promote transparency. It is
important to take a comprehensive approach to accountability and public debate (Valeriano, Jensen, &
Maness, 2018). By defending America's democratic institutions and national interests, America can
maintain its position as a world leader and ensure the continued prosperity and security of its citizens
(Cheng, 2012). I agree with Jacques deLisle 's point because with the author's opinion that addressing
the effects of China's political warfare through the media is crucial for developing a more secure world
order. As outlined by the author, I believe the US government should take a comprehensive approach to
countering the Chinese media political warfare.

Analysis of the implications of China's political warfare for U.S.-China relations and the broader
international system

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The impact of China's political warfare through the media on US-China relations and the broader
international system is significant. China's use of information manipulation, propaganda and
disinformation can exacerbate tensions between the United States and China and make it more difficult
to find common ground on important issues (Delisle, 2020). Additionally, China's tactics may
destabilize global politics, leading to a breakdown of trust and cooperation between nations (Shirky,
2011). To address the impact of China's political warfare through the media, a comprehensive approach
is needed that requires coordinated efforts among various agencies and departments, as well as
international collaboration to share information and best practices. This is essential to promoting a
more stable and peaceful world order (Cheng, 2014). I agree with authors that China's political warfare
has grave implications for US-China relations and the wider international system. In addition, China's
efforts to shape the global narrative and international institutions through political tactics pose a serious
threat to the integrity of the U.S. political system. It may undermine the international order. It is critical
for the United States and its allies to devise effective strategies to counter China's political warfare
efforts and protect the integrity of democratic institutions and the international system. This requires a
thorough understanding of the tactics used by China and their implications, and a coordinated response
involving both state and civil society actors. 

Conclusion:

All in all, as I see it. The literature review on the topic " Political warfare by China to influence the
United States through the media " discusses China's use of media political warfare to influence the
United States. This article provides a valuable analysis of China's use of political warfare to challenge
America's global leadership and influence. It highlights the need to pay greater attention to the impact
of Chinese disinformation and propaganda on American democracy and the broader international
system. However, the paper does not explore the potential consequences of this strategy, such as the
impact on the U.S. media landscape and how it affects the public's perception of China. Despite these
research gaps, the paper provides valuable insights into China's foreign policy and its use of political
warfare to influence the United States.

Through this literature review, we can see political warfare in China through the media has significant
implications for US foreign policy and national security. Manipulation, propaganda, and the use of
disinformation can undermine public trust in institutions and sources, limit academic freedom, and

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shape narratives about important issues. Addressing these implications requires a comprehensive
approach that includes understanding and countering China's political warfare tactics through the media
and promoting transparency, accountability, and open discussion. Future research into China's political
warfare and the impact of media tactics on international relations should focus on several key areas: an
in-depth analysis of Chinese propaganda and disinformation campaigns, an examination of the role of
social media and other digital platforms in amplifying these messages, and an examination of the
overall implications of China's political warfare on the international system. Finally, scholars consider
possible policy responses to these threats, including developing coordinated strategies among allies and
partners, investing in intelligence-gathering capabilities, and working to strengthen democratic
institutions and norms.

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 References

● Cheng, D. (2012). Winning without fighting: Chinese public opinion warfare and the need for a robust
American response. The Heritage Foundation, (26).
https://indianstrategicknowledgeonline.com/web/bg2745.pdf
● Cheng, D. (2014). The US Needs an Integrated Approach to Counter China's Anti-Access/Area Denial
Strategy. Amazonaws. http://thf_media.s3.amazonaws.com/2014/pdf/BG2927.pdf
● Shuya, M. C. (2019). The New Cold War: Geostrategic Rivalry and a Return to Political Warfare.
(Doctoral dissertation, The University of Texas at El Paso).
https://www.proquest.com/openview/02a1e808976161b538c2f0a9baf97e76/1?pq-
origsite=gscholar&cbl=51922&diss=y
● DeLisle, J. (2020). Foreign Policy through Other Means: Hard Power, Soft Power, and China's Turn to
Political Warfare to Influence the United States. Sciencedirect, 64(2), 174-206.
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● Paterson, T. (2020, March 10). Political warfare in the digital age: cyber subversion, information
operations and ‘deep fakes’. Tandfonline, 74(4), 439-454.
https://doi.org/10.1080/10357718.2020.1734772.
● Kit Chan, C. (2021). From soft power to sharp power: China’s media image in Hong Kong’s health
crises from 2003 to 2020. SAGE Journals, 6(1), 62-76. https://doi.org/10.1177/2059436420980475
● Trunkos, J. (2020, 12 8). Comparing Russian, Chinese and American Soft Power Use: A New
Approach. Tandfonline, 35(3), 395-418. https://doi.org/10.1080/13600826.2020.1848809
● Forest, J.J. (2021). Political Warfare and Propaganda: An Introduction. Journal of Advanced Military
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● Kania, E. B. (2020). The ideological battlefield: China’s approach to political warfare and propaganda in
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● Kumar, N. (2019, 10). Political Warfare: An Emerging Threat to Nation States. ResearchGate.
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● Fitzpatrick, M., Gill, R., & Giles, J.F. (2022). Information Warfare: Lessons in Inoculation to
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