Russian propaganda abounds in Chinese social media debate on Ukraine
Russian propaganda abounds in Chinese social media debate on Ukraine c.groth Thu, 06/04/2026 - 10:12 picture alliance / Da Qing/HPIC/dpa | Da Qing Comment Jun 08, 2026 8 min read Russian propaganda abounds in Chinese social media debate on Ukraine This series looks at how China debates the issues the country faces at home and abroad. Covering domestic policy, social change, technology, geopolitics and economics and focusing mainly on expert debates, each article draws on analysis from universities, think tanks, government-linked research institutes, business associations and investment groups. A new analysis suggests that Beijing may be tolerating or even encouraging toxic discourse to undermine the moral and political authority of Kyiv and its Western supporters, says Yurii Poita, MERICS Senior Associate Fellow and Head of the Asia Section at Kyiv-based New Geopolitics Research Network (NGRN). While the Chinese government likes to present itself as “ objective and impartial ” regarding the Russia-Ukraine war, the tone on Chinese social media is radically different. Influencers on Chinese online platform Weibo, many with millions of followers, regularly attack the Ukrainian government, attempt to drive a wedge between Kyiv and its European and US partners, portray Ukrainian armed forces and recruitment centers as “Nazi,” and justify documented Russian war crimes. Given the links between these opinion leaders and the Chinese state, and the characteristics of China’s media sys…