My book is out

Strategic Communication: How China Promotes and Communicates Its Political Agenda in Latin America

https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-45166-9_10

Abstract

The first section of this chapter discusses the causes and aims of China's recent communication strategy in Latin America and explains how this strategy is founded on the dichotomy between information and disinformation—focusing on the involvement of the Chinese government in regional cultural sponsorships. Investments in local universities, cultural centers such as Confucius institutes, and state-sponsored media outlets’ partnerships with local media will be investigated. The second part explains how China uses its media outlets and social platforms such as Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook in Latin America. It concludes with China's strategy of supporting regional policy issues with several examples, including its communication in Argentina. For instance, Beijing emphasizes its relationship with the ruling Peronist Party and its claims to the Falklands/Malvinas Islands. The final section investigates how and why Taiwan is pivotal for China's communications strategy in Latin America. The concluding section includes an assessment of what the United States can do politically and culturally to contain the Chinese communications strategy in Lac. In the last 20 years, Latin America has shifted from being under the influence of the United States to forming strong economic and diplomatic ties with Beijing. This shift in power was possible due to strategic communications and soft power techniques such as cultural exchanges, language classes, social media, and diplomatic figures. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) aims to position itself in Latin America as a reliable and powerful partner, offering a viable alternative to the West and presenting itself as a global leader. It also emphasizes the principles of “sovereignty,” “non-interference,” and a multipolar global order. However, recently China has taken a more authoritarian approach, suppressing alternative narratives and exploiting partner institutions. In Latin America, Beijing capitalized on the COVID-19 pandemic by selling vaccines and medical equipment while blaming the United States for mishandling the epidemic. Its “vaccine weaponization” tactic spread false information and promoted pro-PRC propaganda. As technology evolves, the Chinese military is transitioning to “intelligentized” warfare, which uses A.I. to disseminate more disruptive disinformation and create convincing fake images. Also, the Taiwan issue has become a central focus for Beijing's communication in Latin America, with several countries shifting alliances to Beijing. Beijing has adopted a diplomatic approach, using neutral language and institutional terms, while Taiwan's representative centers have taken a more critical stance. With Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August 2022, China's attitudes began to change with harsh communication against the United States accused of interfering in China's domestic affairs. Raising awareness of China's communication strategies, foreign policy, and political system can help bridge the knowledge gap in the LAC region. Facilitate idea exchange and support local journalists to counter Chinese authoritarian influence. The United States should prioritize bringing back ideology and presenting a compelling vision for the shared Hemisphere and its democratic values to compete with Beijing.