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Silk Road News

Launched on October 1, 2019, the Chinese Silk Road News Network presents itself as an independent media platform dedicated to promoting Sino-Arab relations and the Belt and Road Initiative. While claiming to be a “neutral” news outlet, the network appears to be a carefully crafted propaganda tool designed to advance Chinese soft power in the Arab world. Founded by Abdel Kader Khalil, a former head of an international Arab journalists’ union, the network purports to bridge cultural gaps between China and Arab countries. However, its stated mission of “revealing the true image of China to the world” suggests a clear agenda of image management rather than objective reporting. The network provides a platform for Chinese writers and China-friendly Arab journalists to publish content that overwhelmingly portrays China’s international initiatives in a positive light, raising serious questions about its editorial independence and actual journalistic integrity. While there is no evidence that the outlet is operated or influenced directly by PRC entities, content from official state media, including Xinhua News Agency and CGTN, is prevalent.