Washington, D.C. [US], August 21 (ANI): The Center for Uyghur Studies (CUS) has released a new report titled “Exposing China’s Propaganda Campaigns in MENA,” outlining how the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is carrying out extensive propaganda and influence operations across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
According to the study, Beijing’s efforts aim to present China as a benevolent partner while suppressing criticism of its human rights abuses, particularly against Uyghur Muslims. The report states these campaigns go beyond trade promotion, serving as strategic tools to silence dissent and secure diplomatic support for China’s policies.
The CCP’s propaganda drive in MENA seeks to gain regional backing for initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) while downplaying international condemnation of the persecution of Uyghurs. Tactics include Arabic-language broadcasts through outlets like CGTN Arabic and Xinhua, content-sharing agreements with local newspapers, and Arabic-language social media campaigns. The report also points to the use of inauthentic online accounts, sometimes coordinated with Russian and Iranian propaganda, to spread disinformation and manipulate debates.
CUS notes that China heavily relies on soft power strategies, such as Confucius Institutes—23 of which currently operate in MENA—to promote a curated image of Chinese culture while omitting references to repression. Thousands of Arab students studying in China on government scholarships are exposed to carefully crafted narratives that avoid acknowledging mass internment, surveillance, and religious erasure in Xinjiang.
Economically, China’s growing trade ties with the region, valued at $368 billion in 2022, have created dependencies that discourage governments and media outlets from criticizing Beijing. Chinese propaganda frequently portrays the country as a defender of the Muslim world and a supporter of Palestinian rights, while dismissing reports of Uyghur persecution as “lies of the century.” During crises such as the 2023 Gaza conflict, Chinese media framed Beijing as a peace broker while depicting the U.S. and its allies as biased and interventionist.
The report also raises concerns about China’s export of surveillance technologies, such as Huawei’s “Safe City” systems, to MENA states. Originally developed in Xinjiang to monitor Uyghurs, these technologies are now being adopted by Arab governments to expand domestic surveillance, often under the guise of public safety.
CUS concludes that Beijing’s efforts have already influenced public opinion in the region, with surveys showing growing approval of China—sometimes exceeding views of the United States. Most Muslim-majority countries in MENA have refrained from criticizing China’s treatment of Uyghurs, with many endorsing Beijing’s stance at the UN. Human rights groups caution that this trend undermines accountability, freedom of expression, and solidarity with oppressed communities.
The report urges MENA governments, civil society, and international partners to intensify fact-checking, support independent journalism, and promote media literacy to counter CCP disinformation. It also calls on global technology platforms to dismantle covert Chinese networks and advocates for coordinated international responses to protect informational integrity in the region. (ANI)
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