China spreads fake news about Belgium

The Chinese state-owned newspaper 'The Global Times' is spreading fake news about Belgium. The newspaper falsely claims that the union demonstration on June 20 in Brussels was a protest against NATO.

The news was spread on Twitter where The Global Times shared a video with the caption: "Tens of thousands of demonstrators gathered in Brussels on June 20. They scanned 'Stop NATO'". In reality, it was a demonstration for higher wages and greater purchasing power. ​ The demonstrators called for an improvement in purchasing power amid rapidly rising prices and for a change in the 1996 wage standard law, which blocks wage negotiations. The video was viewed more than 1.1 million times.

China is known for spreading disinformation. With the video, the government aims to influence public opinion in favor of Russia. Chinese President Xi Jinping previously spoke out against "any expansion of NATO" and supports Russia in its fight with Ukraine and the West. At the annual summit of the BRICS - Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, he proposed forming a group to rival NATO and the EU, declaring neutrality on the Ukraine issue and refusing to impose sanctions on Russia. Meanwhile, Russia has become the largest exporter of oil to China. At a friend's price, that is. ​

Earlier this week, the European Commission published tighter rules for tech companies. Google, Facebook and Twitter face the risk of hefty fines in the European Union if they do not do enough to combat the spread of disinformation.

© BELGA PHOTO / PAUL-HENRI VERLOOY - Demonstration of the three trade unions FGTB-ABVV - ACV-CSC and ACLVB-CGSLB, in Brussels, Friday 22 April 2022. The unions demand better wages and the revision of the wage standard law of 1996.