US–China Economic and Security Review Commission’s latest report has alleged Beijing of running a “disinformation campaign” to undermine global sales of French Rafale jets following India–Pakistan conflict earlier this year.
The report claimed that China used fake social media accounts to spread AI-generated and video-games images falsely portraying Rafale debris destroyed by Chinese weaponry, while aggressively promoting its own J-35 fighter jets.
The report says China “opportunistically leveraged” the May 2025 border crisis, triggered after Pakistan launched unprovoked drone and missile strikes on Indian Army bases, to showcase its defence systems and court new buyers.
French intelligence had earlier warned that Chinese defence attachés were attempting to sabotage Rafale deals, including persuading Indonesia to pause an ongoing procurement process.
The findings surface months after India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7, destroying terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK in retaliation for the killing of 26 civilians in the Pahalgam attack.
Reacting to the US report, BJP leader Amit Malviya questioned those who had echoed Chinese narratives during the conflict.
“Who kept demanding ‘numbers’ on jets lost even after the Indian Air Force confirmed all assets were intact?” he asked, suggesting that such demands risked compromising national security.
The report also highlights deepening China-Pakistan defence cooperation, including joint drills and Beijing’s June 2025 offer to supply Pakistan with J-35 jets and missile defence systems.
