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Activity Type: Placement of PRC Party-State Content

Xinhua Reports on Icelandic Times Chinese Edition Launch

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On December 24, 2014, Xinhua News Agency reported on the launch of the Chinese-language edition of Icelandic Times magazine. The coverage featured an interview with then-Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson, who described China as “a country creating the future” and emphasized Iceland’s interest in strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in tourism. Tourism Minister Ragnheiður Elín Árnadóttir also appeared in the coverage, welcoming Chinese tourists. The Xinhua report promoted the magazine’s first Chinese edition and announced plans for a second edition to be printed and distributed in China in February 2015, along with the launch of the Chinese-language website www.icelandictimes.cn. This coverage established Icelandic Times as a platform for Chinese state media engagement and narrative framing with Icelandic audiences, as well as promotion of Iceland to Chinese tourists.

Icelandic Times Runs Interview with Chinese Ambassador

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On July 23, 2024, Icelandic Times magazine published an interview with Ambassador He Rulong (何儒龍) titled “Different Countries, Connected Hearts” (《國不同,心相通》). The interview highlighted cooperation between China and Iceland in cultural tourism, Arctic affairs, geothermal energy, and mutual learning between civilizations (文明互鑒). The piece was published in three languages—Icelandic, English, and Chinese. Icelandic Times has maintained longstanding cooperation with Chinese state entities, including Xinhua News Agency, and regularly features content from Chinese diplomatic missions. The interview represents continued use of the publication as a platform for Chinese diplomatic messaging in Iceland.

Chinese Ambassador Runs Article in Icelandic Times

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On July 25, 2019, the Chinese Embassy in Iceland published a signed article by Ambassador Jin Zhijian (金智健) in Icelandic Times magazine titled “The Time is Right to Advance China-Iceland Bilateral Cooperation” (《推動中冰雙邊合作正當其時》). The embassy-provided article (駐冰島使館供稿) appeared in the magazine’s seventh issue, which has had longstanding cooperation with Chinese state entities, including Xinhua News Agency. Jin’s piece emphasized bilateral achievements including trade exceeding $700 million in 2018, high-level exchanges, cultural initiatives like the “Happy Chinese New Year” (歡樂春節) celebrations, and cooperation on Arctic affairs and climate change.

Chinese Embassy Places Content in Two Icelandic Media

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On October 1, 2019, the Chinese Embassy in Iceland collaborated with two Icelandic publications — the daily newspaper Morgunblaðið and the Icelandic Times — to mark the 70th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China (PRC). The embassy produced an eight-page Icelandic supplement and a 38-page English special edition containing data on China’s development and articles on bilateral relations. Ambassador Jin Zhijian (金智健) used these platforms to state China’s positions on the “Belt and Road” initiative, Arctic policy, and trade friction. The publications included interviews and articles from Icelandic figures, including the former president and the Minister of Education, Science, and Culture. This cooperation serves as a regional example of the “borrowed boat” (借船出海) strategy, where the Chinese Communist Party utilizes established foreign media outlets to disseminate its official narratives and policy perspectives to a local audience.

CMG Rolls Out Promotional Film Ads in 28 Countries

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China Media Group’s “Thousand Overseas Screens” (海外千屏) program will deploy promotional content for the “China Travel with Chinese Films” (跟著電影遊中國) campaign across more than 600 public screens in 28 countries during 2026, according to a February 4 announcement at a special promotion event in Shenzhen. The initiative, co-hosted by the China Film Administration (CFA) and CMG, places content in high-visibility locations including cinema chains in seven major US cities, shopping centers, and diplomatic venues. Promotional materials feature 2026 Spring Festival films alongside tourism content about filming locations, supporting China’s international communication strategy to present a “credible, lovable, respectable China” (可信、可愛、可敬的中國). The campaign integrates with CMG’s Spring Festival Gala global viewing events and Chinese embassy receptions, demonstrating coordinated party-state soft power deployment through commercial-cultural channels.

Berliner Zeitung Runs Article from China’s CCTV

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On November 30, 2024, German daily Berliner Zeitung published the second installment of “China Perspective” (中國視角), a column created through a partnership with the Europe bureau of China Media Group (CMG), the media conglomerate under the CCP’s Central Propaganda Department. The article was a signed piece by a CCTV journalist titled “Becoming a Major Global Player.” It focused on China’s aviation industry, presenting the country’s commercial aircraft development as evidence of its shift “from technological catch-up to international competition.” The piece also highlighted China’s work on electric and hybrid aircraft and sustainable aviation fuel. The Chinese report on the placement of the article mentioned the promotion of “China solutions” (中国方案) for global development. 

German Paper Runs Chinese Op-Ed on Taiwan

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On May 17, 2024, Chinese Ambassador to Germany Wu Ken (吳懇) published an op-ed in the Berlin-based newspaper Berliner Zeitung, arguing that respecting “core interests” is essential for “de-risking” China-Europe relations. The article defended China’s position on Taiwan and criticized Western countries for allegedly supporting the forces of “Taiwan independence”  — an accusation frequently levelled by China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The ambassador’s piece followed Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visits to France, Serbia, and Hungary from May 5-10, 2024, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s trip to China in April 2024.  

Philippine Paper Runs Coverage Promoting PRC External Propaganda

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On August 26, 2025, the Chinese Commercial News (菲律賓商報), a Chinese-language outlet in the Philippines with close ties to PRC media and official entities, published extensive coverage of the 2025 Overseas Chinese Media Cooperation Organization Annual Conference held in Changsha, Hunan Province, where participants gathered to discuss how to “amplify China’s voice in international communication.” The article, originally published by Hong Kong’s Chinese government-run Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group (香港大公文匯傳媒集團), detailed how 84 overseas Chinese media outlets from 37 countries and regions attended under the theme “uniting across five continents and four seas to promote mutual understanding.” The conference was organized by the Hunan Provincial Propaganda Department and co-hosted by the Overseas Chinese Media Cooperation Organization (海外華文傳媒合作組織) and Ta Kung Wen Wei Media Group. Li Dahong (李大宏), chairman of both the cooperation organization and Ta Kung Wen Wei, emphasized promoting the concept of “Datong” (大同) — a vision of universal harmony. The article reported that seven new media outlets joined the transnational Chinese-language media organization, which is operated by the PRC, bringing total membership to 130 outlets across five continents and 44 countries and regions.

Chinese Commercial News Runs Xinhua Report on Foreign Minister Wang Yi

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On March 8, 2025, the Chinese Commercial News (菲律賓商報), a Chinese-language newspaper based in Manila with close links to state-run media in the PRC, reposted an official report from China’s state-run Xinhua News Agency. The article relayed remarks by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) made during a press conference on the sidelines of China’s “Two Sessions,” focusing on maritime disputes between China and the Philippines in the South China Sea. The report adopted Xinhua’s original wording and framing without alteration, including criticism of the Philippines and references to the role of “external forces” (域外勢力) — a typical framing used by the Chinese Communist Party to blame tensions over its policies and actions on outside actors, including the United States.