Pentagon's covert anti-China vaccine campaign in Philippines unveiled

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Reuters
14 Jun 2024 20:20

This covert operation involved multiple ways of disseminating anti-vaccine propaganda, particularly targeting China's Sinovac inoculation.

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A man is inoculated with the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine during a nationwide vaccination drive at a school in Navotas, Philippines on Wednesday, December 1, 2021. (AP)

An investigation published by Reuters on Friday revealed that during the COVID-19 pandemic, the US military conducted a secret campaign to counter China's growing influence in the Philippines by spreading doubt about Chinese-provided aid, including vaccines.

This covert operation involved multiple ways of disseminating anti-vaccine propaganda, particularly targeting China's Sinovac inoculation.

For instance, the Pentagon created numerous fake social media accounts on platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram.

These accounts were used to spread anti-vaccine propaganda, often targeting specific audiences in Southeast Asia and beyond.

The campaign also focused on spreading doubt about the safety and efficacy of Chinese vaccines, such as Sinovac.

This included false claims about the presence of pork gelatin in the vaccines, which could be considered forbidden under Islamic law, thus targeting Muslim-majority countries.

The propaganda aimed to intensify fears and anger towards China's vaccines by exploiting existing suspicions and grievances against China, such as its territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

The campaign further utilized visual content, such as memes and graphics, to convey its message.

These visuals often depicted misleading or inflammatory imagery, such as pigs and syringes, to further amplify negative sentiments towards Chinese vaccines.

The campaign also capitalized on existing geopolitical tensions and rivalries between the US and China by leveraging the strained relationship between the US and the Philippines, as well as broader regional dynamics in Southeast Asia, to advance US interests and undermine China's influence.

Despite objections from diplomats and warnings from social media companies, the campaign continued until mid-2021.

Critics and public health experts argue that the campaign severely endangered many lives and eroded trust in vaccines.

The Pentagon's aggressive approach raised concerns among officials, with many questioning its morality and effectiveness.

In spite of subsequent orders to cease anti-vaccine messaging, the Pentagon's clandestine propaganda efforts persist, with reports indicating ongoing activities aimed at shaping narratives and influencing public opinion in various regions.