A bombshell report by Reuters has revealed that the Pentagon conducted a covert operation aimed at undermining China’s vaccination efforts during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The campaign, carried out under the guise of countering disinformation, allegedly involved spreading anti-vaccine sentiments through social media, news outlets, and even diplomatic channels, according to the outlet.
Sources familiar with the operation, who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity, claim that the Pentagon saw an opportunity to exploit the pandemic to weaken China’s global standing. By fueling vaccine hesitancy and distrust in Chinese-made vaccines, they sought to create social unrest, disrupt supply chains, and damage China’s reputation as a reliable vaccine provider.
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According to the Reuters investigation, the alleged campaign reportedly used sophisticated tactics, including the creation of fake social media accounts, the amplification of anti-vaccine messages through online networks, and the planting of misleading stories in both mainstream and alternative media.
The Reuters investigation uncovered at least 300 accounts on X, previously known as Twitter, that align with descriptions provided by former U.S. military officials involved in a Philippines operation. These accounts, predominantly created in the summer of 2020, were reportedly part of a campaign using the hashtag #Chinaangvirus, a Tagalog phrase meaning “China is the virus.
“COVID came from China, and the VACCINE also came from China. Don’t trust China!” is one typical tweet from July 2020. The outlet reported that the words were posted ‘next to a photo of a syringe beside a Chinese flag and a soaring chart of infections.’
Another post read: “From China – PPE, Face Mask, Vaccine: FAKE. But the Coronavirus is real,” the report said.
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The Pentagon also allegedly leveraged its influence in international organizations to cast doubt on the safety and efficacy of Chinese vaccines.
While the full extent of the operation remains unclear, experts warn that the consequences could be far-reaching. The alleged spread of anti-vaccine disinformation may have contributed to vaccine hesitancy in China and other countries, potentially hindering global vaccination efforts and prolonging the pandemic. Additionally, the revelation of the campaign could further damage trust in government institutions and international cooperation.
The Pentagon has vehemently denied the allegations, stating that its efforts during the pandemic were solely focused on countering disinformation and promoting accurate information about vaccines.
However, the sources who spoke to Reuters reporters claim that the operation was authorized at the highest levels and carried out with the knowledge of top officials.
According to the report, “the military program started under former President Donald Trump and continued months into Joe Biden’s presidency, Reuters found – even after alarmed social media executives warned the new administration that the Pentagon had been trafficking in COVID misinformation.“
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The report has sparked widespread condemnation from public health experts, human rights groups, and international organizations.
Many are calling for a full investigation into the matter and for those responsible to be held accountable. The revelation also raises serious ethical and legal questions about the use of disinformation as a tool of foreign policy.
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