In a revealing investigation by Reuters, it has been uncovered that China’s diplomatic mission in Manila hired a local marketing agency, InfinitUs Marketing Solutions, to run a sophisticated campaign of fake social media accounts, aimed at influencing public opinion in the Philippines. This clandestine operation, involving thousands of fake profiles, sought to weaken support for the Philippine government’s policies, particularly regarding its alliances with the United States, and to distort opinions surrounding China’s policies in the South China Sea.
The Creation of a Pro-China Troll Army
The campaign came to light in the aftermath of a major maritime incident in the South China Sea in November 2021. At the time, Chinese ships fired water cannons at Philippine vessels, intensifying tensions in the region. In a social media attempt to soothe these tensions, China’s embassy in Manila asked Filipinos to share their favorite things about China on Facebook. Among the responses were several from a user named “Vince Dimaano,” who posted comments praising China’s coast guard and defending its controversial actions in the South China Sea.
However, these responses were not genuine; they were part of a broader manipulation campaign orchestrated by InfinitUs. The company used paid fake accounts to amplify positive sentiments about China and target critical voices in the Philippines. The campaign did not only focus on maritime issues but also spread anti-American content and discredited Western-made vaccines during the COVID-19 pandemic. These actions were part of China’s ongoing efforts to control narratives and influence political discourse in the Philippines, a country that has become increasingly important in the strategic rivalry between Washington and Beijing due to its proximity to Taiwan and the South China Sea.
InfinitUs and Its Alleged Ties to Beijing
InfinitUs Marketing Solutions, based in Manila, was accused of running this campaign, which included the creation of fake social media profiles on platforms like Facebook. According to internal documents reviewed by Reuters, the agency’s work was funded by the Chinese embassy in Manila, which gave out large sums of money to promote Beijing’s interests. InfinitUs itself has denied any involvement in “illicit digital activity,” but the scope of its operations paints a picture of a well-organized effort to manipulate public opinion.
Documents suggest that InfinitUs was tasked with guiding public opinion on Facebook and other platforms like X (formerly Twitter). The agency had a large network of accounts, which it referred to as an “army” that worked to push pro-China narratives. These accounts did not just promote Beijing’s interests; they also attacked U.S. interests, including amplifying criticisms of the Philippines’ security alliance with the U.S. and Western COVID-19 vaccines.
One of the most troubling aspects of this operation was the creation of Ni Hao Manila, a media outlet designed to look as though it was run by Filipinos, but was actually part of this Chinese influence operation. Ni Hao Manila posted videos that glorified China’s military and naval capabilities while criticizing Philippine-U.S. cooperation. The outlet’s content was shared by InfinitUs’s fake accounts, which helped to amplify the pro-China message across social media.
A Growing Influence Operation
This covert campaign goes beyond just social media posts. It highlights the growing influence of Chinese operations in the Philippines, a country that, despite its historical ties to the U.S., has been increasingly influenced by Beijing in recent years. With Chinese-funded social media campaigns spreading across various platforms, there is concern that the public’s perception of China and its policies could be shaped by these disinformation efforts.
The Philippines is a crucial country in Southeast Asia, and its growing relationship with China, despite territorial disputes in the South China Sea, has drawn the attention of both Beijing and Washington. The U.S. has long had military alliances with the Philippines, and the country has been part of the U.S.’s strategy to contain China’s growing influence in the region. The strategic importance of the Philippines is further amplified by its proximity to Taiwan, a potential flashpoint in U.S.-China relations.
Chinese Diplomacy and Cash Incentives
The Chinese embassy in Manila has also used financial incentives to promote pro-China content and policy positions. It is reported that the Chinese government gave cash awards to prominent Filipino officials and media personalities through the Association of Philippines-China Understanding (APCU), an organization that has been accused of fostering Chinese influence within the country. APCU was re-established by former Philippine President Gloria Arroyo in partnership with a Chinese Communist Party agency.
Among those who received cash awards from APCU were media personalities, scholars, and even former officials. The funds ranged from around $850 to over $3,000—far above the average salary in the Philippines. These financial rewards were meant to build influence within the political and media establishment, thereby increasing China’s sway over Filipino public opinion.
While some recipients of the awards, including nationalist scholars and former lawmakers, have defended their involvement by claiming that their awards were simply a recognition of their work, critics argue that this practice is part of China’s broader effort to infiltrate Philippine politics and media to push its geopolitical agenda.
Philippine Government’s Response
The Philippine government has expressed awareness of the growing influence of foreign powers, including China, on its domestic affairs. Senator Francis Tolentino was one of the first to raise concerns about InfinitUs’s influence operations in the Philippines. During a Senate hearing, Tolentino produced evidence of payments made by the Chinese embassy to InfinitUs and highlighted the role of fake accounts in promoting Beijing’s interests.
While the Philippines has not yet implemented robust laws to counter foreign interference, lawmakers are working to address these gaps by creating new regulations that target disinformation. This includes proposing penalties for those involved in spreading fake news and foreign-backed propaganda.
Despite these efforts, China’s influence operations continue to be a significant issue in the Philippines, particularly with the growing concerns over its role in influencing the upcoming 2028 presidential elections. There are also worries about China’s long-term efforts to shape the political landscape in the country, especially as it competes with the U.S. for influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Future of the Philippines-China Relations
The Chinese government has denied any involvement in election interference or media manipulation in the Philippines. A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry stated that Beijing does not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries, rejecting allegations of disinformation campaigns as baseless.
However, analysts argue that these operations are part of a broader Chinese strategy to influence political outcomes in countries critical to its global ambitions. As the geopolitical rivalry between China and the U.S. intensifies, the Philippines is increasingly caught in the crossfire, with both Beijing and Washington trying to win influence in the region.
In conclusion, the revelation of China’s influence operations through social media manipulation and financial incentives in the Philippines underscores the growing importance of information warfare in modern geopolitics. As the Philippines continues to navigate its relationships with both China and the U.S., the role of digital influence campaigns will likely play an ever-more significant role in shaping public opinion and political outcomes in the country. Whether the Philippine government can effectively counter these operations will determine its ability to protect its democratic processes and sovereignty in the face of foreign interference.
