The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill authorizing over $1.6 billion to counter “Chinese influence,” raising concerns about its effectiveness. The bill, named “Countering the People’s Republic of China Malign Influence Fund,” aims to fund media and civil society groups to portray negative views of China. This move, echoing previous actions against China, targets initiatives like the Belt and Road Project.
Despite the significant budget allocation, doubts persist about the bill’s impact. Marcus Stanley cautioned about the consequences of funding anti-China propaganda overseas, while Wang Yiwei highlighted America’s historical efforts to influence public opinion against its adversaries.
The bill underscores the U.S.’s commitment to strategic competition with China, utilizing cognitive warfare techniques. However, experts question the efficacy and potential backlash of such campaigns. The broad definition of “malign influence” and potential implications on U.S. credibility in condemning foreign activities remain subjects of scrutiny.