China Accused of Spreading Disinformation on Taiwan's Leadership

Allegations of a plan for Taiwan's president to flee in a U.S. plane have been debunked by Taiwanese research, amidst rising tensions.

China has been accused of spreading disinformation about Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen, alleging she has plans to flee in a U.S. plane if war breaks out.
The narrative, which originated in 2021 and resurfaced before Taiwan's January general election, has been disseminated by Chinese state media.
Taiwan's Information Environment Research Center identified over 400 stories portraying military exercises as preparations for the leadership's escape.
Despite China's efforts, the Democratic Progressive Party won the presidential election, though it lost its parliamentary majority.
China's Taiwan Affairs Office dismissed the research as 'fabricated and ill-intentioned,' accusing the DPP of engaging in 'cognitive warfare'.