Fake News as a Propaganda Tool against CPEC
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59926/jodprp.vol09/07Keywords:
CPEC, Propaganda, Pak-China Relations, Disinformation, Hybrid Warfare, Public PerceptionAbstract
The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a flagship component of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has increasingly been targeted by disinformation and fake news campaigns. This study critically examines how such narratives function as propaganda tools, strategically influencing public perception and policy debates across cultural, economic, and political dimensions. Using a qualitative case study approach, the research analyses documented instances of viral fake news, corroborated by fact-checking sources and media reports. Applying agenda-setting, framing, soft power, and information disorder theories, the paper uncovers how false narratives, ranging from the so-called ‘debt trap’ to cultural and sovereignty concerns, are deliberately constructed to erode confidence in CPEC. Findings indicate that while these narratives lack empirical validity, their widespread dissemination poses tangible risks to Pakistan’s internal cohesion, foreign investment climate, and bilateral relations with China. The study concludes by proposing multi-layered counter-strategies including fact-checking mechanisms, media literacy programmes, enhanced transparency, and the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to mitigate disinformation threats. By offering a comprehensive perspective, this research contributes to a better understanding of the geopolitical information warfare surrounding CPEC.
JEL Classification Codes: D83, F51, F52, L82, O53
Submitted: July 16, 2025
Last Revised: September 10, 2025
Accepted: October 22, 2025
Conflict of Interest: The authors declared no conflict of interest.
Funding Acknowledgment: There is no funding received for this paper.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Syed Asad Ali Shah, Wang Shengli, Syed Rehan Hasan, Muhammad Nasir Butt
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