China-Japan row ratchets up online, with clever wordplay and catchy music videos

Set to a catchy hip-hop beat and featuring taunting animation, a Chinese music video on social media is calling Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi a “troublemaker” and warning her against “playing with fire” by interfering in the affairs of China and Taiwan. NTU’s Assoc Prof Dylan Loh, who studies Chinese foreign policy, said China is increasingly adept at using social media platforms – including those banned at home – to try and shape narrative and influence public opinion. “These media tactics are often iterations and innovations from previous practices, so I don’t believe this is entirely novel,” he added. With the latest spat, Prof Loh said, Beijing is targeting international audiences to delegitimise Ms Takaichi and the Japanese government’s position on Taiwan, while also serving up a warning to others. He noted that this playbook is neither exclusive nor unique to China.

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