China’s Efforts to Seize Control of Discourse Power in Cyberspace

The Chinese government has been accelerating various moves to seize control of discourse power. This article focuses on China’s efforts to seize control of discourse power especially in cyberspace. The Xi Jinping administration is gradually becoming more aggressive in its control of narratives, moving from stable governance at home to strengthening its influence on external speech. The propaganda efforts to spread the legitimacy of the CCP regime and the coercive wolf warrior diplomacy are currently not very effective. However, China’s efforts in this area of discourse power are taking a new turn with the development of information technology. China is strengthening its efforts to take the lead in shaping international norms and international standardization. In addition, The PLA is also deepening its discussion of military operations including the cognitive domain as it prepares for Intelligentized warfare.