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16 September 2025 - Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy - Oral evidence

Committee Foreign Affairs Committee
Inquiry Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy

Tuesday 16 September 2025

Start times: 10:00am (private) 10:30am (public)


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Disinformation: how China and Russia shape global narratives

How does the Chinese state use foreign information manipulation – also known as disinformation – to advance its geopolitical objectives? What impact have disinformation campaigns from states and non-state organisations such as the Wagner Group and Daesh had on African populations?  

The Foreign Affairs Committee continues its inquiry into disinformation diplomacy with an evidence session hearing from expert witnesses. 

Meeting details

At 10:30am: Oral evidence
Inquiry Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy
Policy Fellow (China Observatory) at The Council on Geostrategy
Executive Director at China Strategic Risks Institute
Senior Research Fellow for China and the World at Chatham House
At 11:15am: Oral evidence
Inquiry Disinformation diplomacy: How malign actors are seeking to undermine democracy
Senior Research Fellow (Terrorism and Conflict) at Royal United Services Institute (RUSI)
Lecturer in Journalism and Global Communication at The University of Sheffield

The first panel will focus on China's use of disinformation as part of its broader geopolitical strategy. Questions are likely to explore the organisations and tactics involved in Chinese disinformation. Members and witnesses may discuss the impact these campaigns have had on the perception around sensitive issues such as Taiwan, Xinjiang, Hong Kong, and the South China Sea. The advantages and disadvantages of placing China on the enhanced tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme may be discussed.  

 The second panel will explore disinformation in Africa, with a focus on the Wagner Group, Africa Corps and the African Initiative. The panel is likely to examine the impact of information manipulation campaigns in Africa, including on public health, democracy and attitudes towards the West and multilateral systems in the continent. Questions are likely to explore measures that the UK Government could take to counter malign influence in Africa. 

Location

Room 16, Palace of Westminster

How to attend