They say the best lies contain just enough truth to sound plausible. That’s precisely what makes the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda campaign about Taiwan so sinister—and so dangerous. Beijing isn’t just spreading misinformation for domestic consumption anymore. It’s targeting U.S. policymakers and trying to weaken America’s resolve in defending our democratic partners abroad. And if we’re not careful, some in Washington might just take the bait.
Let’s be clear: Communist China has crafted an intricate disinformation strategy aimed at Taiwan, and it’s deploying this strategy right here in the United States. The goal? Drive a wedge between Washington and Taipei. Discredit Taiwan’s elected leaders. Sow doubt in American minds about the cost of supporting our friends in East Asia. And ultimately, lay the groundwork for the unthinkable—an invasion of a democratic nation by a totalitarian regime.
Three of Beijing’s talking points are particularly dangerous.
1. Blame Taiwan’s President, Not Beijing
The first narrative: Taiwan is to blame for rising tensions. Specifically, newly elected President Lai Ching-te is being painted as the “troublemaker” inflaming cross-Strait relations. Beijing wants us to believe Lai is poking the dragon and daring it to roar.
Yes, Lai comes from the pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party. And yes, his rhetoric occasionally tweaks Beijing. But this isn’t a case of a reckless leader throwing matches on dry kindling. The Chinese Communist Party didn’t suddenly become aggressive in response to Lai’s election. They’ve been escalating tensions for decades, under presidents far more conciliatory than Lai.
His predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, bent over backwards not to antagonize China. She avoided overt independence declarations, worked diplomatically, and kept her cool amid numerous provocations. Still, Beijing ramped up military drills, cyberattacks, and diplomatic isolation campaigns against Taiwan. Why? Because the Chinese Communist Party needs a scapegoat. And the DPP is a convenient one.
Make no mistake—blaming Lai is a calculated move to manipulate President Trump and drive a wedge between our two nations. Beijing believes if it can convince Trump that Lai is the problem, it can reduce U.S. support and isolate Taiwan. But President Trump is no fool. He knows the real aggressor here is Xi Jinping—not the duly elected leader of a democratic island.
2. Support “Peaceful Unification” to Keep the Peace? Think Again.
The second lie is that the United States could reduce tensions just by publicly endorsing “peaceful unification.” Beijing’s messengers in Washington say, “It’s harmless. Taiwan will never agree to it anyway.” They say, “It’ll calm things down without changing a thing.” Nonsense.
That’s not diplomacy—that’s a trap.
If America endorses peaceful unification, Beijing will treat it as a green light. It will twist our words into evidence that the U.S. is walking away from Taiwan, or that our support for Taiwan’s defense is hypocritical. Worse still, it would set a precedent that could outlive this administration, pressuring future presidents to fall in line.
The Trump administration has rightly upheld the One China policy while maintaining robust unofficial relations and arms sales to Taiwan. That balance is difficult—but it’s necessary. Declaring support for unification would shatter that balance and embolden Xi’s ambitions.
You want peace in the Taiwan Strait? Then signal strength and clarity—not naïve concessions that will be weaponized by the world’s largest authoritarian regime.
3. “China Will Take Taiwan No Matter What”—The Most Dangerous Lie of All
The third and most dangerous lie is this: that China will take Taiwan no matter what, and that U.S. involvement is futile. It’s a defeatist narrative that Beijing is hoping will take root in our national psyche. After all, if Americans believe war is inevitable, they’ll stop supporting Taiwan to avoid the conflict.
Let’s examine that.
Yes, China cares deeply about Taiwan. But there’s a major caveat: Xi Jinping and the CCP care more about staying in power than they do about reunification. If invading Taiwan would collapse their economy, spark internal rebellion, or threaten the regime’s grip on power, they will back off.
The calculus in Beijing is cold and political—not suicidal. And that’s why American deterrence matters. If China’s rulers believe that a move on Taiwan would lead to devastating consequences—including a military response from the United States—they’ll think twice.
This isn’t speculation. China’s leaders have repeatedly emphasized the importance of stability and growth. They understand that a botched invasion could bring them neither. It’s our job to ensure they continue to see the risks as far too high.
Believing that “nothing can stop China” is precisely what would allow them to succeed. It’s psychological warfare. And it’s working—on think tanks, journalists, and some who sit too comfortably in ivory towers. But it must not work on the White House.
Don’t Fall for It
These three lies are not harmless rhetoric. They’re strategic, targeted disinformation meant to manipulate America into inaction. President Trump and his national security team must recognize these narratives for what they are: a prelude to conquest.
We’ve seen this before. Lies designed to sap Western willpower. Lies about Sudetenland. Lies about “liberating” Afghanistan. Lies about “fraternal assistance” in Hungary and Czechoslovakia.
This time, we must not be fooled. Taiwan is a thriving democracy. It is a bulwark against tyranny in the Pacific. And if America shrinks from its commitment now, the consequences will be felt not just in Taipei, but in Tokyo, Manila, Canberra—and yes, even in Washington.
Let Beijing play its games. We’ll meet them with strength, clarity, and resolve.
Endnotes:
- Taiwan’s 2024 Presidential Election Results. Central Election Commission (Taiwan).
- “Tsai Ing-wen’s Approach to China.” Brookings Institution.
- “China’s Military Exercises Around Taiwan.” Council on Foreign Relations.
- U.S. Arms Sales to Taiwan Fact Sheet. U.S. Department of State.
- “The Political Cost of a Taiwan Invasion.” The Diplomat.
- Xi Jinping’s 2023 Speech on National Security. Xinhua News Agency.
- “China’s Use of Influence Operations in the U.S.” Center for Strategic and International Studies.
Caroyln Spencer is a Contributor for Direct Line News, she can be reached at Carolyn.Spencer@mcgopclub.com
Direct Line News is a Maryland-based free-access publication committed to the Republican reform tradition.
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