Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip
Netanyahu's office: At the end of the security consultations, the prime minister instructed the military to launch massive military strikes on the Gaza Strip immediately
President Aoun: We urge the activation of the monitoring committee, the cessation of hostilities, ongoing Israeli violations, attacks
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to US Envoy Morgan Ortagus: Southerners must be enabled to return to their homes and rebuild
Syrian sources: The Israeli occupation has begun withdrawing from the areas it infiltrated last night in the Quneitra countryside.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Massive bombings in eastern Gaza, the second within half an hour, and its sound was heard from central area.
Russian air defense units destroyed a drone that was heading toward Moscow.
Maduro: Tomorrow, a business meeting will be held bringing together hundreds of entrepreneurs from advanced Russian industries with hundreds of Venezuelan businesspeople.
Maduro: In the face of threats, Trinidad and Tobago agreed to suspend all effects of the energy agreement and everything that had been agreed upon in that regard.

US House passes $1.6 billion to deliver anti-China propaganda overseas

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Responsible Statecraft
  • 12 Sep 2024 20:40
  • 15 Shares
3 Min Read

The new bill funds "independent media and civil society" as well as other information activities in other nations.

Listen
  • x
  • House passes $1.6 billion to deliver anti-China propaganda overseas
    Chinese President Xi Jinping delivers a speech during the opening ceremony of the 20th National Congress of China's ruling Communist Party in Beijing on October 16, 2022 (Xinhua)

Since 2016, foreign interference in U.S. elections and civic life has been a major concern, with the U.S. government penalizing foreign actors for spreading "discord and chaos" through propaganda. Despite this stance, the US exhibits a double standard in its propaganda efforts.

According to Responsible Statecraft, the recently passed HR 1157, the "Countering the PRC Malign Influence Fund," received bipartisan approval (351-36) and would allocate over $1.6 billion to the State Department and USAID to combat Chinese "malign influence" globally. This bill represents a significant increase in federal spending on foreign influence operations.

The measure funds "independent media and civil society" as well as other information activities in other nations. The Global Engagement Center, which will most certainly play a significant role in enacting the law, spends more than half of its budget on such programs, and USAID, which will also play a leading role, prioritizes funds to foreign media and civil society organizations. HR 1157 would turbocharge these projects.

In addition, the bill does not require that US government funding for overseas media be made known to those in other nations, thus making it possible that it will support covert anti-Chinese messages, similar to how the US accuses Russia of sponsoring anti-Ukraine messages by US media influencers. 

Related News

US launches three strikes on 4 vessels in Eastern Pacific, kills 14

US signs $80bln nuclear partnership to power next-gen AI systems

Responsible Statecraft notes that "malign influence" is a wide description. For example, program funding might be used to promote any attempt to emphasize the "negative impact" of Chinese economic and infrastructural investment in a foreign country. Alternatively, it might sponsor political messaging against Chinese contractors participating in the construction of a port, road, or hospital, as part of Beijing's global Belt and Road Initiative.

A 2021 "vision document" from the First Special Forces Command at Fort Bragg offers insight into U.S. information operations. It describes a fictional scenario in the African country of Naruvu, where Special Forces discover a Chinese port investment.

The 8th Psyop Group at Fort Bragg's Information Warfare Center (IWC) collaborates with local and U.S. partners to "discredit Chinese activities," leading to protests and unrest. The combined influence efforts and social media campaigns resulted in the Chinese company abandoning its port project.

Skepticism towards U.S. and Chinese interference in foreign affairs can undermine genuine opposition to Chinese influence. For instance, U.S. support for Russian opposition in 2011 led to a backlash from Putin, restricting U.S. involvement in Russia.

The proposed HR 1157 raises concerns that U.S. anti-Chinese propaganda could inadvertently influence American audiences without disclosing its funding sources. Historical examples, like the State Department's Global Engagement Center's actions against critics during the Trump administration, illustrate potential misuse.

The bipartisan backing for HR 1157 highlights a Washington culture that may ignore the risks of engaging in covert activities similar to those it condemns in other countries.

  • China
  • House of Representatives
  • United States
  • propaganda
  • anti-China narrative
  • Washington
  • Beijing

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Delta Air Lines flight lands at Harry Reid International Airport, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Las Vegas (AP)
Politics

Nearly 3,800 US flights disrupted amid ongoing government shutdown

FILE - The Amazon logo is pictured at the Amazon Robotic Sorting Fulfillment Center in Madison County, Miss., Aug. 11, 2022. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
Economy

Amazon to cut 30,000 jobs in largest layoff in company history

Eurofighter Typhoon Spain's Air Force fighter jets fly above the military parade marking 'Día de la Hispanidad', or Hispanic Day, in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Oct. 12, 2025. (AP)
Politics

UK sells 20 Eurofighter jets to Türkiye in £8bln defense agreement

Smoke billows after drone strikes by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) targeted the northern port in the Red Sea city of Port Sudan, Sudan, May 6, 2025 (AP)
Politics

RSF tighten El Fasher siege as Sudan risks fragmentation: Reuters

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS