Misleading Information Circulates in China Regarding a Supposed 'Civil War' in Texas

Misinformation has been spreading in China regarding the ongoing border standoff between Texas and the White House over illegal immigration. Chinese media outlets have been suggesting that this situation has caused deep divisions within the US, leading to unrest. The conflict between Texas Governor Greg Abbott and President Joe Biden has intensified due to the record-high number of over 6.3 million migrants crossing into the US illegally since the beginning of 2021. Governor Abbott's Operation Lone Star aims to block or deter entry into Texas, including the installation of razor wire barriers. Despite a Supreme Court ruling against Abbott, he has promised to add more razor wire to combat what he calls an "invasion." Trending social media posts in China falsely claim that Abbott is preparing to go to war with US federal authorities, with the hashtag #TexasDeclaresAStateOfWar garnering thousands of views and shares on Sina Weibo. However, Weibo has taken steps to limit such content. Nonetheless, many posts can still be found on the platform. Foreign media is heavily restricted in China, but cherry-picked content is often used to suggest internal divisions within the US. Chinese social media users can read reports on Florida Governor Ron DeSantis sending National Guard members to Texas, and pictures of the Texas Military Department are being circulated, creating the perception of the state stoking independence. There are also misleading videos circulating from Chile, falsely attributed to Texas. Due to censorship, Chinese users find it challenging to fact-check, leading to the belief that Texas is at war. Chinese state media has long propagated the idea of a possible civil war in the US, particularly after the Capitol Hill riot in January 2021. This narrative serves as a response to criticism from Western governments regarding China's handling of issues in Xinjiang, Hong Kong, or Taiwan. The Chinese government claims not to interfere in other countries' internal affairs, although it frequently amplifies suggestions of independence movements in countries like Scotland when criticizing the Chinese Communist Party.