The Invisible War: Cognitive Warfare and China’s Role
Inspired by Abhishek Kumar Darbey’s September 27, 2024, article titled “China and Cognitive Warfare: An Overview” on the MP-IDSA website, this analysis highlights how cognitive warfare—a strategy focused on influencing minds rather than engaging in physical combat—has emerged as a potent tool in contemporary conflicts. China is leading the charge in utilising this approach to further its political and strategic aims. The article unravels the specific tactics China employs and discusses the broader global implications of this evolving form of warfare.
Introduction
In the 21st century, warfare has evolved beyond the use of traditional weapons and armies. Today, one of the most significant battlegrounds is the human mind, where the fight for control of beliefs, thoughts, and decisions takes place. This new form of conflict is called cognitive warfare. Cognitive warfare doesn’t involve direct combat but focuses on manipulating information and emotions to change how people perceive and act. China has emerged as a major player in this invisible war, using cognitive warfare to further its political ambitions both within its borders and internationally. This essay explains the concept of cognitive warfare, detail China’s approach to it, and examine its broader impact on the world.
What is Cognitive Warfare?
Cognitive warfare is about influencing how people think. Instead of using physical force, this form of warfare relies on psychological techniques, disinformation, and manipulation to change how people view the world. The goal of cognitive warfare is to control the thoughts and decisions of a target population without firing a single shot.
For example, rather than taking over a country by military means, an attacker might spread false information that causes the people of that country to lose trust in their government. As a result, the country might weaken from within, making it easier for the attacker to achieve their objectives. Cognitive warfare is especially effective in today’s world, where the internet and social media have made it easier to spread information—whether true or false—quickly to large numbers of people.
How Cognitive Warfare Works
Cognitive warfare works by exploiting human weaknesses. The human brain is complex but not perfect; people can be easily misled or manipulated. Many people believe what they see or hear without verifying if it’s true, especially when emotions like fear, anger, or confusion are involved. Cognitive warfare uses this to its advantage.
Some key tactics of cognitive warfare include:
- Disinformation and Misinformation: Disinformation is deliberately false information meant to deceive people, while misinformation is incorrect information spread without malicious intent. Both can have serious consequences. For instance, during an election, spreading lies about a candidate can change how people vote. Social media makes it easy for these false messages to reach many people quickly.
- Psychological Manipulation: Attacks on emotions are a common tool in cognitive warfare. For example, if a message creates fear or uncertainty, people might act irrationally or lose trust in their leaders. This makes them more vulnerable to influence.
- Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Big Data: By collecting data about how people behave online, attackers can create messages tailored to specific groups. This makes it easier to manipulate their beliefs. For example, if someone frequently reads health-related news, an attacker might send them fake stories about a health crisis to create panic.
- Narrative Warfare: Humans understand the world through stories. In cognitive warfare, attackers create narratives that support their goals. These stories are designed to make people question their own beliefs while strengthening the attacker’s message.
China’s Cognitive Warfare Strategy
China has embraced cognitive warfare as a key part of its political and military strategy. Its approach is multifaceted and involves everything from military intimidation to control over digital platforms and cultural manipulation.
- Military Intimidation
One way China uses cognitive warfare is by showing off its military power. For example, China frequently conducts military drills near Taiwan, which creates fear and uncertainty among the Taiwanese population. The goal is not necessarily to start a war but to make Taiwan feel vulnerable and hesitant about seeking independence.
- Cultural and Economic Influence
China also uses cultural and economic tactics in its cognitive warfare strategy. By offering scholarships, jobs, and other economic incentives to Taiwanese citizens, China tries to create a sense of dependency. People who benefit from these opportunities might feel more favourable toward China’s political goals, such as reunification with Taiwan.
Cultural manipulation is also a key tactic. For instance, China promotes shared cultural practices, such as the folk religion Mazuism, which exists in both Taiwan and China. Through religious festivals and cultural exchanges, China strengthens the idea that Taiwan and China are historically and culturally linked.
- Disinformation and Social Media Control
Perhaps the most powerful tool in China’s cognitive warfare arsenal is disinformation. China uses social media platforms like Facebook and Twitter to spread false or misleading information designed to confuse and divide populations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, for example, China spread disinformation about Taiwan’s handling of the crisis to undermine trust in Taiwan’s government.
China also uses content farms, which produce large amounts of online information, some of which contain hidden political messages that subtly support pro-China narratives. This allows China to influence public opinion in Taiwan without the people even realising they are being manipulated.
- Technological Advancements
China’s cognitive warfare efforts are supported by its investment in technology, particularly artificial intelligence (AI) and big data. These tools allow China to better understand and influence how people think. For example, by analysing data from social media, China can create personalised disinformation campaigns targeting specific individuals or groups.
One of the latest technological advancements in China’s cognitive warfare strategy is the metaverse, a virtual world where people can interact digitally. China sees the metaverse as a new frontier for influencing people’s perceptions and beliefs in a controlled environment. This makes cognitive warfare even more effective and harder to detect.
China’s Domestic Cognitive Warfare
China does not only use cognitive warfare on other countries; it also uses these tactics within its own borders to maintain control over its population. The Chinese government is very concerned about outside influences that could disrupt social and political stability, especially movements like the “Colour Revolutions,” which have overthrown governments in other parts of the world.
To counter these threats, China has created a system of national cognitive security. This system involves strict control over the information that Chinese citizens are allowed to see and hear. The government uses artificial intelligence, deep fakes, and social media bots to shape public opinion and suppress dissent.
China’s propaganda system is another tool for cognitive control. Through government-controlled media, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) ensures that the public only receives narratives that support the party’s version of events. This system helps the CCP maintain control and prevent foreign ideas from influencing Chinese society.
The Global Impact of China’s Cognitive Warfare
China’s cognitive warfare strategy does not just affect Taiwan and its own citizens—it has global implications. China’s disinformation campaigns have been used to destabilise democratic countries and undermine trust in their institutions. For example, China has been accused of using disinformation to influence elections and create political divisions in other nations.
This shift in global conflict, from physical battles to information warfare, means that countries must rethink their defence strategies. Traditional military defences are no longer enough; nations must protect their populations from the psychological and informational threats posed by cognitive warfare. Governments around the world must work together to identify and counter these threats before they cause widespread harm.
Conclusion
Cognitive warfare is a new and dangerous form of conflict that targets the human mind rather than physical forces. China has become a master of this type of warfare, using a wide range of tactics, including disinformation, cultural manipulation, and advanced technologies like artificial intelligence. By influencing how people think and behave, China seeks to achieve its political and strategic goals without resorting to traditional military force.
As cognitive warfare continues to evolve, countries around the world must develop new strategies to protect their populations. This involves not only building stronger technological defences but also teaching people how to think critically and recognise disinformation. In the battle for the mind, cognitive warfare is the future of global conflict, and China is leading the charge.