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Articles by Rita Cheng
Did France’s Macron demand the US to pay back debt from the Revolutionary War?
An image has been circulated in Chinese-language social media posts that claims it shows French President Emmanuel Macron making a speech in which he said that French support to the U.S. to help it gain its independence more than 200 years ago was a loan, not aid, meaning the U.S. must pay interest. But the claim is false. The image was taken from a televised speech that Macron delivered to the French public on March 5. A review of the speech confirms that he made no such remarks.
Has the US changed its official policy towards Taiwan under new government?
Since the second term of U.S. President Donald Trump began, multiple claims have circulated online suggesting that the U.S. has changed its policy toward Taiwan. Given Taiwan’s role in U.S.-China relations, any perceived policy shift can fuel uncertainty, influence public opinion, and escalate regional tensions. Misinterpretations or deliberate misinformation could shape global narratives, making such rumors highly significant. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province that must be reunified.
Did Denmark claim Greenland’s inhabitants were Mongolians?
A claim emerged in Chinese-language social media posts that Denmark’s government said Greenland’s indigenous inhabitants were of Mongolian descent. But the claim is false. The Danish foreign ministry dismissed the claim. AFCL found no credible reports that back the claim. The claim was shared on Weibo on Jan. 25. “The Danish foreign minister says: Greenlanders are Mongoloid people from the same type as those in China’s Inner Mongolia,” the claim reads.
Is Boeing to blame for the plane crash in Washington?
Speculation has emerged on Chinese social media that flaws in an airplane made by Boeing, a U.S. aerospace manufacturer that has faced a raft of safety issues in recent years, was responsible for a midair collision between a passenger plane and a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter that took place on January 29– the worst accident in U.S. civilian aviation since 2009. This speculation is unfounded. The American Airlines passenger plane involved in the collision was not manufactured by Boeing.
Have California wildfires engulfed the iconic ‘Hollywood’ sign?
A video clip circulating on Chinese social media site Weibo shows the iconic “Hollywood” sign going up in flames – one of several fake or misleading posts that have emerged as wildfires burn vast swaths of Los Angeles. “Wake up and Hollywood’s gone! California’s first wildfire in 2025 scorched Hollywood, all the sparks in the sky looked like a blockbuster,” one post reads. But the video is fake – apparently generated by Artificial Intelligence.
Did Trump rebuke Musk on the Truth Social platform?
An image of what appears to be a screenshot of a social media post by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump circulated among Chinese online users alongside a claim that it shows Trump’s post on the Truth Social platform rebuking Tesla CEO Elon Musk. But the claim is false. AFCL found no credible records showing that Trump uploaded such a post. An analysis of the image shows signs of digital manipulation. The image was shared on X on Dec. 22.
Did a Chinese tabloid publish a front-page story about Bashar al-Assad’s fall?
A photo of what appears to be a front page of a newspaper emerged in Chinese-language social media posts that claim it shows coverage of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad by China’s state-run tabloid, the Global Times. But the claim is false. The photo has been digitally doctored. The original photo shows a Global Times report about former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein published in 2003. The photo was shared here on X on Dec. 8, 2024.
Does a photo show armored vehicles in Seoul after South Korea declared martial law?
A photo of multiple armored vehicles has been shared in Chinese-language social media posts that claim the photo was taken after South Korea declared martial law on Dec. 3, 2024. But the claim is false. The photo was published in January and shows military exercises arranged by the South Korean army to strengthen its armored division’s readiness to conduct maneuvers in an urban environment. The photo was shared on Weibo on Dec. 3, 2024 after South Korea declared martial law.
Media Watch: What’s behind Chinese officials’ social media diplomacy
Chinese diplomats, long champions of a non-interference policy, now find themselves under scrutiny for meddling in the domestic affairs of other countries. In the latest case, Xue Jian, the Chinese consul general in Osaka, Japan, faced sharp criticism from the Japanese government for a post on his X account in which he openly advocated for specific candidates in recent elections.
Did California governor threaten to withhold state’s federal taxes?
A video clip of California governor Gavin Newsom emerged in Chinese-language social media posts alongside a claim that it shows Newsom threatening to withhold hundreds of billions in federal taxes as leverage in negotiations with the incoming Trump administration. But the claim is false. The voiceover in Chinese does not match what Newsom actually said in the video. The governor never made such a remark. His office dismissed the claim.
Media Watch: Inter-Korean tension sparks rumors in China
Tensions have intensified between North and South Korea following accusations of drone incursions and the exchange of threats. Both sides have raised their military alerts and North Korea has taken further steps by dismantling parts of shared infrastructure near the border. Meanwhile, in broader developments, South Korea and the United States say North Korea is supporting Russia’s war in Ukraine by sending troops that Seoul says is an escalation of the conflict.
Did a photo of Hua Chunying and her daughter in the US leak online?
A photo of Chinese Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Hua Chunying has circulated in Chinese-language social media claiming to show Hua and her daughter in the United States. But the claim is false. The photo in fact shows Hua and a Chinese journalist, Serena Dong, and it was taken in Beijing. AFCL found no reliable reports that Hua and Dong are related. The photo of Hua posing with a woman in a blue hooded jacket was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Sep. 27, 2024.
Media Watch: Anti-Japan sentiment targets Japanese schools in China
Following the stabbing and death of a 10-year-old Japanese schoolboy in Shenzhen on Sept. 19, many Chinese citizens laid flowers in front of the boy’s school, expressing their condolences. This tragedy came just months after a similar attack on June 24, when a Chinese man wounded a Japanese mother and child near a Suzhou Japanese school bus stop.
Media Watch: Taiwanese Youtubers’ visit to Xinjiang, genuine or propaganda?
In late August, a Taiwanese YouTuber named Chang Shao-qun, who goes by “Han Guo Ren”, with more than half a million followers posted a video on YouTube of his tour of a large bazaar in Xinjiang’s capital of Urumqi, accompanied by two other Taiwanese online celebrities. At around the video’s five-minute mark, Chang abruptly asks one of his guests: “First time in the bazaar?
No jurisdiction for Japan over US troops committing crimes on its soil?
A claim emerged in Chinese-language social media posts that Japan has no jurisdiction over American service personnel who commit crimes in the country. But the claim is false. Japan has jurisdiction over most criminal cases involving U.S. military members on its soil, according to an agreement between two nations. The claim was shared on Weibo on Sept. 21, 2024. “An American soldier stationed in Japan’s Yokosuka acted recklessly, killing a Japanese person.
Media Watch: Rumors about Chinese leader Xi spread online
In nations where secrecy shrouds the lives of leaders, like China, North Korea and Russia, rumors can quickly take root in the absence of information. This is particularly true when it comes to the health of those leaders, an issue often treated as a state secret. Recently, the internet buzzed with speculation about Chinese President Xi Jinping’s health, as a noticeable lack of public appearances from July to August fueled rumors that he might be seriously ill.
Are flushed faces of US swimmers evidence of Olympic doping?
Photos of the U.S. women’s 4x100-meter medley relay team at the 2024 Paris Olympics emerged in Chinese-language social media posts alongside a claim that they provide evidence of doping before the competition. The posts point to the athletes’ unusually flushed faces in the images as supposed proof of their claim. But the claim is false. An official at a doping regulator told AFCL that none of the swimmers in the photos had committed a potential doping violation.
Did a US swimmer dodge drug tests for the Paris Olympics?
A nutritionist for China’s national swim team claimed that Chinese players have been “unfairly treated” in the leadup to the 2024 Paris Olympics with frequent anti-doping tests, while American swimmer Gretchen Walsh had not had to take any such tests. But the claim is false. Walsh underwent several anti-doping tests in both 2023 and 2024.
Did a Chinese documentary prove China’s sovereignty over the South China Sea?
The complex web of territorial claims in the South China Sea has long been a source of tension between China and several of its Southeast Asian neighbors. The area is strategically significant due to its rich natural resources, vital shipping lanes, and geopolitical implications. Efforts to resolve the disputes through international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, have had limited success, and the region remains a flashpoint.
Does the video show a US lawmaker outraged over the Antisemitism Awareness Act?
A video of an American legislator yelling in outrage emerged in social media posts that claim it shows the lawmaker was angry about the recent passage of the Antisemitism Awareness Act by the U.S. House of Representatives. But the claim is false. The video, taken from 2012 footage, shows the-Illinois House of Representatives member and current Illinois Republican congressman Mike Bost criticizing a reform plan for social security.
Did Taiwan’s president complain about his predecessor in a leaked audio? Original
Following the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on May 20, a claim emerged that Lai complained about his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, in a leaked audio. But the audio is likely to be AI-generated, according to experts. Using an AI-analysis tool, AFCL also found signs of audio digitally manipulated. A video with purported leaked audio was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, by a user named “Guyan Muchan”. AFCL has previously debunked claims shared by this user multiple times.
Did Taiwan’s president complain about his predecessor in a leaked audio?
Following the inauguration of Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on May 20, a claim emerged that Lai complained about his predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, in a leaked audio. But the audio is likely to be AI-generated, according to experts. Using an AI-analysis tool, AFCL also found signs of audio digitally manipulated. A video with purported leaked audio was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, by a user named “Guyan Muchan”. AFCL has previously debunked claims shared by this user multiple times.
Media Watch: ‘Little Pinks’ use AI in Tiananmen Square massacre debate
Disclaimer: Due to the graphic nature of the key image in this fact check, we have digitally blurred certain parts of the photos in the main text to avoid discomfort for some readers. These altered photos are labeled accordingly in their captions. The original, unedited versions of all photos are included at the end of the article for readers to view at their discretion. Wu Renhua didn’t expect a nearly 35-year-old photo to become his most viewed post on X within 24 hours of uploading.
Has the Hong Kong trade office in Washington been closed?
A claim emerged in Chinese-language social media posts that the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office, or HKETO, in Washington has been closed down. But the claim is false. U.S. lawmakers proposed a bill to close HKETO offices in the United States but it has not been passed. Keyword searches found no credible statements or reports to back the claim. The claim was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, on May 13, 2024.
Media Watch: Blinken’s April China visit fuels online rumors
Following U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s visit to China in April, where he met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, various rumors around his visit surfaced in social media posts in both Chinese and English. Below is what AFCL found. Did Chinese officials not accompany Blinken to the airport? A X user “Indo-Pacific News - Geo-Politics & Defense” claimed that Blinken was “humiliated” by Chinese officials who decided not to greet his arrival and departure.
Does China import zero soybeans from Paraguay?
Paraguay is the only South American country that maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan – which means it doesn’t have diplomatic ties with mainland China. But President Santiago Peña Palacios stated in March that this has not affected its commercial ties with China, citing its soybean exports as an example.
Media Watch: Moscow attack fuels rumors on Ukraine, US involvement
More than 133 people were killed and over 100 injured in last month’s brazen attack on concertgoers just before a performance by a Soviet-era rock band at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall. Eleven people have been detained, including four people directly involved in the armed assault. ISIL’s Afghan branch – also known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, ISKP (ISIS-K) – claimed responsibility for the March 22 attack and United States officials have confirmed the authenticity of that claim.
Media Watch: Moscow attack fuels rumors on Ukraine, US involvement
More than 133 people were killed and over 100 injured in last month’s brazen attack on concertgoers just before a performance by a Soviet-era rock band at Moscow’s Crocus City Hall. Eleven people have been detained, including four people directly involved in the armed assault. ISIL’s Afghan branch – also known as the Islamic State in Khorasan Province, ISKP (ISIS-K) – claimed responsibility for the March 22 attack and United States officials have confirmed the authenticity of that claim.
Did Google ‘abandon’ the Chinese market due to domestic requirements?
A claim has been shared in Chinese-language social media posts that Google “abandoned” the Chinese market due to the domestic requirements asking foreign firms to store data in China. But the claim is misleading. Google had its servers in China before exiting the country in 2010. The primary reason for the American tech giant’s departure from the Chinese market was its refusal to comply with the Chinese government’s content censorship.
Did Google ‘abandon’ the Chinese market due to domestic requirements?
A claim has been shared in Chinese-language social media posts that Google “abandoned” the Chinese market due to the domestic requirements asking foreign firms to store data in China. But the claim is misleading. Google had its servers in China before exiting the country in 2010. The primary reason for the American tech giant’s departure from the Chinese market was its refusal to comply with the Chinese government’s content censorship.
Did NVIDIA describe Huawei as its 'biggest competitor'?
China’s state-run media outlets claimed that American chipmaker NVIDIA had for the first time listed the Chinese tech company Huawei as its “biggest competitor” in its latest annual earnings report. But the claim is misleading. While NVIDIA did mention Huawei in the report for the first time, it was only cited as one of a number of competitors, not its biggest. On Feb.
Did Jimmy Carter admit that Taiwan is part of China in his 1978 speech?
The video was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Jan. 7. “The official policy of the United States of America on the question of China’s internal territorial dispute with Taiwan province, from the mouth of the President of the United States of America,” reads the claim. The claim was shared alongside a 13-second video that shows what appears to be former U.S. President Jimmy Carter’s speech.
Has a US report proposed cutting economic ties between the US and China?
A claim emerged in Chinese-language social media posts that the United States House Committee had released a report advising the country to “sever economic ties” with China. But the claim is misleading. The report, reviewed by AFCL, does not propose to completely cut off economic relations between the two countries. It makes a wide range of recommendations concerning resetting U.S. financial, technological and trade policies towards China. The claim was shared on X on Dec.
Has HK security law improved the city’s business and legal environment?
A pro-Beijing news outlet in Hong Kong claimed that the city’s business and legal environment has improved after the implementation of the 2020 National Security Law, or NSL, citing two independent reports. But the claim is misleading. The paper selectively cited figures from the reports, which also contained contradicting data. The claim was shared in an editorial published on Nov. 30 by Ta Kung Pao.
Is Taiwan’s vice president hopeful unable to speak Mandarin?
Claims began to circulate in Chinese-language social media posts that Hsiao Bi-khim, a vice presidential nominee of Taiwan’s Democratic Progressive Party in the Jan. 13 presidential election, is “unable to speak Mandarin” and that Hsiao is a “U.S. citizen.” But the claims are false. Hsiao has been seen in public speaking Mandarin fluently on many occasions.
Israel-Hamas war: How tech, social media spur misinformation
The adage “The first casualty when war comes is truth” remains as relevant today as it did when the U.S. Sen. Hiram Johnson first said it more than a century ago. The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas serves as a reminder of how truth can be overshadowed by falsehoods and propaganda during times of war. In the month since violence erupted, a second invisible battle has emerged online. Both sides are involved in spreading disinformation and fake news. Old images are being passed off as new.
From Netanyahu to Egypt: False claims spread amid Israel conflicts
Following the recent surprise attack against Israel by the Islamic militant group Hamas, a photo spread among Chinese social media users who claimed it shows Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sending his son to the front lines. Separately, Chinese media outlets posted a clip alongside a claim that it shows Egyptians sending supplies on foot into Gaza amid the conflict. Both claims are false.
Did Israel defense minister say rules of war are abolished in Gaza?
Following the outbreak of a conflict in Gaza after the Islamic militant group Hamas launched a surprise attack against Israel on Oct. 7, a claim began to circulate in Chinese-language social media posts saying that Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant announced the abolition of all rules of war, in addition to exempting Israeli military personnel from possible war crimes liability. However, the claim is false.
Has the National Security Law improved Hong Kong’s press freedom? Original
Chinese officials claimed that Hong Kong citizens have enjoyed increased fundamental rights and liberties, including freedom of the press, in the three years since the implementation of the 2020 Hong Kong’s National Security Law, or NSL. However, the claim is misleading. Evidence provided by several independent organizations shows that Hong Kong’s civil society and press freedom have deteriorated significantly since the implementation of the NSL. On Sept.
Did the White House issue memo to fund Israel for Gaza conflict?
Following a full-scale attack against Israel by Hamas, the Palestinian militant organization, on Oct. 7, social media users began sharing a photo of a document, claiming it shows a White House memorandum promising US$8 billion in military aid to Israel. However, the photo has been digitally doctored. The official White House website contains no such document. Keyword searches found no credible reports that support the claim. The claim was shared on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Oct.
Did Flight 77 never crash into the Pentagon during 9/11 attacks?
Recently, on the eve of the 22nd anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks in New York and Washington DC, an influential Chinese social media user claimed that American Airline Flight 77 never crashed into the Pentagon. Instead, he said, it was shot down by U.S. fighter jets. The claim is false. Airplane debris was found at the Pentagon, as confirmed by images and videos from the scene and an array of eyewitness accounts.
Five viral rumors about Fukushima water: DEBUNKED
Japan says it is safe. So does the International Atomic Energy Agency, or IAEA, the neutral nuclear monitoring body. Yet despite overwhelming scientific evidence, Tokyo’s discharge of treated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant on Aug. 24 has been a popular source of misinformation in neighboring countries, especially in China. AFCL investigated and debunked the five viral water discharge rumors. Claim 1. Japan downplays the risk of Fukushima water. This is misleading.
Were Maui wildfires caused by a US weapons test?
A couple of videos circulating on social media claim they show that wildfires on the Hawaiian island of Maui were “caused by the United States’ military testing of directed energy weapons.” But the claim is false. Both clips are unrelated to the Hawaii wildfires. One video shows damage caused by a windstorm in Louisiana in 2018, while the other depicts Maui police chief explaining the difficulties of identifying victims incinerated by the fire. The exact cause of the wildfires is still uncertain.
Will US break APEC rules if Hong Kong leader barred from summit? Original
Chinese authorities claimed that it would be a “violation of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) rules” if the United States bars Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu from attending the APEC leaders summit in San Francisco in November. The claim came after media reports that Washington plans to prohibit Lee from attending the meeting of 21 regional economies. But the claim is misleading.
Did U.S. media confirm that the CIA gave the Wagner Group US$6.2 billion?
In Brief Following the Wagner Group’s short-lived insurrection in Russia last month, several verified users of the popular Chinese social media platform Weibo claimed that the Russian mercenary army had accepted US$6.2 billion from the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency. The users cited the Los Angeles Times as the source and circulated screenshots of the purported article in their posts. Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) found this claim to be false.
Is Japan’s plan to release Fukushima wastewater unscientific and unilateral?
In Brief Many nations and environmental groups have questioned Japan’s decision to discharge nuclear wastewater from Fukushima into the Pacific Ocean. The Chinese government is among the plan’s most vocal critics, with China’s foreign ministry recently issuing statements questioning the plan’s safety and declaring that the Japanese government is imposing a “unilateral decision” without considering less harmful disposal methods. Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) found these claims to be unfounded.
Have US comics faced punishment for jokes about the army like one has in China? Original
In brief In the face of criticism that China’s government was overreacting by launching a criminal investigation into comedian Li Haoshi for telling a joke about the Chinese military, a pro-government Chinese blogger has defended Beijing’s actions. The blogger, who calls herself Guyan Muchan, compared the case to that of an American stand-up comedian who joked about a U.S. military veteran. Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL) found Guyan Muchan’s comparison misleading.
Is China engaged in dollar diplomacy?
In Brief After Honduras severed official ties with Taiwan last month and established diplomatic relations with the People’s Republic of China, or PRC, Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen promised that the island would not engage in “a meaningless contest of dollar diplomacy.” The next day, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning refuted Tsai’s implication that Beijing was buying official recognition, saying China’s “diplomatic ties are not something for sale.” Asia Fact Check Lab (AFCL)...
Interview: Military drills show 'boorish' and 'bullying' China Original
Richard Armitage served as deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia and Pacific Affairs and assistant secretary of defense for international security affairs in the Ronald Reagan Administration, and deputy secretary of state in the George W. Bush administration.
African News Agency : Welcome
[Published: Saturday June 25 2022] China steps up anti-NATO rhetoric ahead of Madrid summit, citing 'Cold War' ethos By Rita Cheng BEIJING, 25 June. - (ANA) - China is stepping up anti-NATO rhetoric ahead of the military alliance's summit next week, calling it a "product of the Cold War" dominated by the United States, while an envoy of leader Xi Jinping is hoping to convince European leaders the country doesn't back the Russian invasion of Ukraine, analysts said.
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