Pro-China Online Network Used Fake Accounts to Urge Asian-Americans to Attend Protests, Researchers Say – WSJ

WASHINGTON A network of fake social-media accounts linked to the Chinese government has attempted to draw Americans out to real-world protests against anti-Asian-American racism and popular but unsubstantiated allegations that China engineered the virus that caused the Covid-19 pandemic, according to U.S. security firms.

The attempts to physically mobilize Americans have so far failed, researchers said. But they represent a troubling effort reminiscent of Russia s attempts to sow discord during the 2016 presidential election, they said. The activity represents the first known example of suspected China-linked actors targeting Americans with the apparent goal of encouraging them to attend real-world demonstrations.

They re copying the Kremlin s playbook, said John Hultquist, vice president of analysis at Mandiant, a U.S.-based cyber intelligence firm.

via www.wsj.com

This advances my theory of the Lt. (J.G.) deep in the bowels of PRC State Security, who has responsibility for my small and formerly undeniably cute university, along with other small, private liberal arts schools in the USA. I’m hoping he’s not liking his job much lately.