A report on Beijing’s disinformation and interference operations in Canada says a systematic “kill chain” approach is needed to address these growing threats.
“A comprehensive kill chain framework is proposed to systematically counter PRC [People’s Republic of China] operations, enabling government, law enforcement, civil society, and Canada’s democratic allies to both individually and collaboratively address threats at every stage of their development and execution,” the report says.
Researchers distinguished China’s foreign interference operations with two categories: transnational repression and foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI).
Transnational repression seeks to control diaspora communities, particularly those critical of Beijing’s policies, through intimidation and coercion. The report identified Falun Gong practitioners, Uyghurs, Tibetans, Hongkongers, and Taiwanese as the communities in Canada most vulnerable to Chinese operations.
In contrast, FIMI aims to shape public opinion, promote favourable narratives about China, and discredit critics, including foreign elected officials. These tactics often involve threats against the target’s family members in China, online harassment, and the use of social media platforms like WeChat and Weibo to monitor and coerce individuals in Canada, the report said.
Interviews with 25 leaders from the targeted communities were conducted for the report, with 80 percent of respondents citing threats to family members in China as a common method of coercion.
Additionally, 85 percent reported direct threats against Canadian activists to intimidate and control these communities, while 70 percent identified political pressure as a key tool of influence. Financial incentives are also used to influence community members, as noted by 75 percent of respondents.
Countermeasures
While a cabinet bill passed in June updated Canada’s national security laws and introduced a foreign agent registry, researchers said it lacks clear definitions of foreign interference and transnational repression. They called for a unified definition of these threats among like-minded allies, proposing a framework that includes “a structured kill chain approach to identify, disrupt, and ultimately stop these activities.”The “kill chain” strategy proposed by the paper includes the three stage of Plan, Prepare, and Execute, with each involving a series of initiatives.
Among the initiatives recommended, the report suggested improving information-sharing between the government’s security and intelligence units and civil society organizations. To increase transparency, it suggested educating the media, elected officials, and the public about foreign information operations.
Researchers called for regulating social media, asking platforms to remove or label state-affiliated entities and curb inauthentic behaviour. Additionally, the report suggested legislation to tackle China’s manipulation of Canadian information through platforms controlled by the regime.
To mitigate risks from authoritarian-controlled social media, researchers recommended stronger measures such as compelling these platforms to divest from adversaries or imposing partial or full bans. Long-term solutions could include banning cross-border data transfers and tightening regulations on data brokers, the report said.
On the global stage, researchers suggested that Canada take the lead in establishing a Global Alliance Against Transnational Repression, a coalition aimed at protecting citizens from foreign interference.
