Chinese media expand their presence in Ukraine’s occupied territories and promote Kremlin narratives, RSF says

A recent report by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) highlights the growing presence of Chinese state and pro-government media outlets in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories, raising new concerns about the international amplification of Russian information manipulation narratives.

According to this report, since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, several Chinese state-affiliated media organisations have expanded their reporting from occupied territories, often reproducing Kremlin terminology and narratives. These developments illustrate how information ecosystems can reinforce and legitimise geopolitical objectives beyond national borders.

International Amplification of Information Manipulation

The report identifies several examples of Chinese media figures and outlets reporting from occupied areas such as Mariupol, Donetsk, and Crimea. In many cases, coverage adopts Russian official terminology, including referring to the invasion as a “special military operation,” while presenting narratives that align with the Kremlin’s strategic messaging.

RSF also notes that journalists from Chinese media have participated in organised press tours arranged by Russian authorities in occupied territories. These visits are subsequently promoted by occupation-controlled media as evidence of international recognition and legitimacy.

Such activities demonstrate how coordinated information environments can contribute to the dissemination and reinforcement of narratives supporting occupation and military aggression.

A Growing Information Partnership

Beyond field reporting, the report describes increasing cooperation between Russian and Chinese state media institutions.

Russian state-funded outlets such as RT and Sputnik continue to maintain a significant presence across Chinese digital platforms, reaching millions of users. Their content frequently attributes responsibility for the war to NATO and the United States while repeating core Kremlin narratives regarding the conflict.

RSF also points to increasing institutional cooperation between occupation-controlled media organisations and Chinese information actors, suggesting a broader convergence in communication strategies.

Why This Matters for FIMI

Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) extends beyond the creation of false information. It encompasses coordinated efforts by state or state-linked actors to shape perceptions, influence public opinion, and legitimise political objectives through strategic communication.

The findings presented by RSF illustrate several characteristics commonly associated with FIMI, including:

• coordinated amplification of state-sponsored narratives;
• dissemination of manipulated or misleading information across international audiences;
• use of media access to increase the perceived legitimacy of contested political realities;
• cooperation between information actors that reinforces strategic influence operations.

Understanding how narratives travel across national information ecosystems is essential for identifying emerging influence operations and strengthening democratic resilience

Disinformation Narratives Continue to Circulate

The report further documents several examples of Russian disinformation narratives that have been widely disseminated through Chinese state media since 2022. These include false claims regarding alleged biological weapons laboratories in Ukraine, misleading reports about President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s departure from Kyiv, unfounded allegations concerning the Bucha massacre, and unsupported claims regarding attacks on Chinese students in Ukraine.

These examples demonstrate how false or misleading narratives can rapidly spread across digital platforms, reaching large international audiences and contributing to broader information manipulation campaigns.

DE-CONSPIRATOR’s Perspective

The evolving relationship between Russian and Chinese state media highlights the increasingly transnational nature of information manipulation. As influence operations become more interconnected, understanding how narratives are created, adapted, and amplified across different media ecosystems becomes increasingly important.

Through its interdisciplinary research, DE-CONSPIRATOR investigates the mechanisms, actors, and tactics behind FIMI, contributing evidence-based knowledge that supports policymakers, researchers, and civil society in strengthening resilience against coordinated information threats.

Source: This article is based on findings published by Reporters Without Borders (RSF) in its report on the growing presence of Chinese state media in Ukraine’s temporarily occupied territories.