China’s Manila Embassy: A Facebook Front in the Sea Dispute

The Chinese Embassy in Manila is running a coordinated Facebook campaign to shape public opinion on the South China Sea, an investigation shows. The operation uses at least 12 different Facebook pages. They appear independent but consistently promote China’s territorial claims. Content includes memes, videos, and articles that portray China as a force for peace. Opposing views, like those from the Philippines or the United States, are labeled as aggressive. This marks a shift in strategy. China is now directly targeting the Filipino public in their own online space. The goal is to create sympathy for China’s position and divide regional unity. Experts call this "public opinion warfare." It is a soft-power tactic to win support without military force. The pages carefully avoid official government branding. This makes the messaging seem more authentic to local users. Facebook’s parent company, Meta, has not commented. The platform has previously removed networks for "coordinated inauthentic behavior." The Chinese Embassy has not responded to requests for comment. The campaign continues as tensions rise over disputed waters. It shows how diplomatic posts are now digital battlegrounds.