There is a moment when a country stops simply sharing its story and starts shaping the way others see the world. That moment is not loud or violent. It does not arrive with tanks or threats. Instead, it begins quietly, through words, images, experts, and narratives that seem harmless until you realize they all tilt in one direction. This is what has been happening with China in recent years, and the rise of Chinese propaganda has become one of the most important challenges facing democratic societies today.
Much of this growth is the result of China’s expanding global influence. As China’s economic power increases, so does its interest in controlling how it is perceived abroad. It invests heavily in cultural institutes, media partnerships, foreign academics, and online content designed to shape public opinion. These efforts do not always look like propaganda. Sometimes they are cultural programs. Sometimes they are articles by foreign authors with ties to China. Other times they appear as friendly commentary predicting that China’s economy is about to collapse, which encourages the West to relax and do nothing in response.
One reason propaganda is rising is that China understands the value of storytelling. The Chinese government knows that shaping public opinion can be more effective than military force or political pressure. If a country can influence how you think, it no longer needs to force you to act. It can guide you into acting in ways that benefit its goals. This is why China invests in foreign media outlets, provides funding for think tank research, and quietly supports academic voices that present China as harmless, misunderstood, or destined to fail on its own.
Another reason is the pressure placed on Chinese citizens living abroad. Many Chinese-born academics and writers in Western institutions still have family in China. This creates a powerful incentive to speak cautiously. Even mild criticism can put their relatives at risk. As a result, some individuals write in ways that minimize China’s growing power or highlight distractions such as corruption, ghost cities, or demographic decline. These issues are real, but they disguise the larger truth that China’s economic strength continues to rise because of global free trade.
Propaganda also rises when the receiving countries lack awareness. Western nations have long believed that information should flow freely, that all voices should be heard, and that open debate would naturally reveal the truth. This works well when all participants share similar values. It does not work when an authoritarian state uses openness as an opportunity for influence.
The real danger of Chinese propaganda is not that people admire China. The danger is that it discourages action. If you believe China is harmless, or collapsing, or becoming more democratic, you will not support stronger trade rules or economic safeguards. Propaganda creates calm where urgency is needed. It convinces nations to delay solutions until it is too late.
To counter this rise, Western societies must become more aware of how influence works. Media organizations need transparency about funding. Universities must examine the financial ties behind research. Think tanks must ensure independence from foreign interests. And governments must recognize that open societies are vulnerable to manipulation, especially when that manipulation is quiet, patient, and long-term.
Ultimately, propaganda rises when truth is not defended. China understands this. The question is whether we do.
For a deeper, clearer understanding of how China’s rise has been supported by Western mistakes and misinformation, readers should explore We Were Funding China’s Growth That Must Stop! by Edouard Prisse.
Here is a link to purchase: www.amazon.com/dp/1967963053.
We Were Funding China’s Growth That Must Stop! by Edouard Prisse is a sharp, well-researched examination of how decades of misguided free trade with China have fueled the rise of America’s greatest rival. Drawing on the economic insights of John Maynard Keynes, Prisse explains how the 2001 decision to welcome China into the global trade system created a one-sided relationship that drained Western industries while empowering Beijing’s authoritarian regime. The book not only exposes the dangers of this ongoing imbalanc,e such as job losses, weakened manufacturing, and growing geopolitical risks, but also offers a clear solution: shifting from “free trade” to “Equal Trade,” a value-balanced system that ensures reciprocity and protects democracy. Both a warning and a roadmap, this book is essential reading for policymakers, business leaders, economists, and citizens who care about safeguarding the future of free societies.