Murky Media Network Aligns with Beijing on Sensitive Issues

Editor’s Note: Following the publication of this article, the Beijing Times published an editorial with the headline “Beijing Times Clarifies Independence: No Ties to the Chinese Government, Ending Global Political Coverage.” In it, the editorial team announced that they had made the decision to “discontinue all political coverage across the globe.” The editorial also clarified that the “Beijing Times has never been affiliated with any political entities or agendas, and we have always operated independently.” The full editorial can be read here.

Executive Summary:

• The online media website Beijing Times publishes stories on topics the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) deems sensitive and aligns with the CCP’s preferred narrative. These stories are interspersed with neutral coverage of international affairs, providing credibility to increase the publication’s audience.
• The publication’s articles praising advances in the People’s Republic of China’s military technology have gained traction with mainstream media in the West and have been picked up, cited, linked to, and quoted by outlets including Newsweek, the Daily Mail, and The Defense Post.
• The Beijing Times is an obscure organization. Some of its reporters do not appear to exist, as no trace of them can be found elsewhere on the Internet, and their photos appear to be AI-generated.
• The website is part of a larger network of dozens of “news” websites aimed at local readerships in cities throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.

On March 3, 2023, a digital publication called Beijing Times began operation (EIN Presswire, March 3, 2023; Beijing Times, August 18; accessed August 18). [1] Produced by Delaware-based Cedrus Media, the outlet says it provides “unbiased English news on China.” Its font and layout mimic The New York Times, and the website publishes articles primarily about domestic news in the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and international stories related to the PRC. The outlet describes its mission as “enlightening the World on China.” Its website reads, “Tightened media controls within China and budget cuts in foreign reporting globally have led to a dearth of in-depth, unbiased information about this crucial player on the world stage. Beijing Times is here to bridge this information gap” (News Channel Nebraska, January 4). There is more to this publication than meets the eye, however. Not only do many of its articles align with the preferred narratives of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), but its main journalists do not appear to exist. Beijing Times articles have been cited and quoted in mainstream media in the West, likely by journalists who are unaware of the dubious credibility of its coverage.

Coverage Toes Party Line on Sensitive Issues

The Beijing Times appears to be well-resourced and funded and is part of a much larger network of information websites targeting local audiences around the world. It publishes long-form articles that often appear studiously balanced. The outlet makes efforts to present all sides, claiming that its “neutrality” is its strength. “We are not pro- or anti-China, nor do we carry biases for or against any nation,” the website reads. “Our goal is to paint a comprehensive and nuanced picture of China, allowing our readers to form their own informed opinions on everything from censorship and human rights to technological advancements and environmental policies” (Beijing Times, August 18). The Beijing Times’ coverage of the PRC has included short pieces on the history of Beijing and biographies of PRC diplomats who have worked in the United States (Beijing Times; June 30, August 18, August 22).

Interspersed with articles about the arts, culture, and international affairs, however, are several pieces that clearly communicate Beijing’s points of view. This is particularly true for topics that Beijing deems sensitive. In these pieces, which are often strikingly in line with the official statements and perspectives of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), authors sometimes quote PRC scholars and government officials. The erosion of democratic institutions in Hong Kong and the ongoing human rights abuses in the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR) are two illustrative topics that the publication has covered.

Hong Kong

An article from October 2023 by Aarav Shen is titled “Media Freedom in Hong Kong: A Tale of Diverging Views.” The piece refers to Jimmy Lai, the Hong Kong media tycoon and pro-democracy advocate, as a “well-known anti-China figure” (Beijing Times, October 1, 2023). The protests held in the city starting in 2019 are framed as “disturbances,” and mainland PRC scholar Li Xiaobing (李晓兵) is quoted describing Lai’s advocacy as part of Western efforts to “meddle in Hong Kong’s affairs with the intention to destabilize China’s financial nerve center.” The piece goes on to describe the government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region as “genuinely dedicated to advancing the well-being and developmental prospects of the Hong Kong populace.”

Another story from March 2023 is titled “Hong Kong’s National Security Law and its impact on the region’s stability, security, and economic development.” It describes the testimony of a youth representative from Hong Kong before the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) (Beijing Times, March 18, 2023). The representative, Alex Yeung Ching Loong, is a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and the 14th Beijing Municipal Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference. He is also a committee member of the All-China Youth Federation, the Chairman of Hong Kong United Youth Association, and the Vice Chairman of the Beijing Youth Federation (Emperor International, accessed August 27). Loong told the UNHRC that “rumors” of foreign companies leaving Hong Kong due to the National Security Law (NSL) are “baseless and unfounded,” according to the Beijing Times. PRC state-run Xinhua News Agency also published a story on Loong’s testimony before the UNHRC (Xinhua, March 18, 2023). A separate article published by the same author is titled “Chinese Spokesperson Says Hong Kong National Security Law Brings Stability and Improved Business Environment.” This piece described remarks made by Wang Chao (王超), spokesperson for the 14th National People’s Congress (Beijing Times, March 4, 2023). Aarav Shen concludes that, overall, the NSL “has been successful in its aims of improving national security, ensuring the rule of law, and better protecting the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents.”

Xinjiang

Aarav Shen has also written articles for the Beijing Times on forced labor in the XUAR. One piece from October 2023 is titled “Deconstructing the ‘Forced Labor’ Narrative: Unmasking Western Media Tactics in Xinjiang.” In it, Shen claims to have analyzed over 30,000 XUAR-related stories sourced from 22 media outlets spanning 15 countries and regions to “comprehend the political and economic motivations behind the ‘forced labor’ allegations” (Beijing Times, October 15, 2023). He appears to use tactics, techniques, and procedures, or TTPs, a term used by cybersecurity analysts, to analyze “public opinion manipulation” in the XUAR.

Shen concludes that the “‘forced labor’ narrative” was a “meticulously planned process driven by Western anti-China forces” and a “smear campaign.” He cites several tactics deployed by these forces. These include criminalizing the PRC government, demonizing the PRC’s poverty alleviation policies, stigmatizing assistance measures for transfer employment, distorting service work for labor transfer employment, and attacking the PRC with misleading claims. He also argues that the UN’s Universal Declaration of Human Rights and its European counterpart “do not offer a universal definition of human rights standards” and suggests that the PRC’s different perspective on human rights should be respected.

A separate article by Lynn Hatem from August 2023 documents a visit by foreign envoys from Iran, Myanmar, Samoa, Mexico, and the Commonwealth of Dominica to the XUAR (Beijing Times, August 14, 2023). This piece, subtitled “Unraveling the True Essence of Xinjiang,” highlights the “stark contrast” between Western media narratives and the reality on the ground. The envoys are alleged to have “unanimously attested to China’s dedication towards upholding the linguistic and cultural identities of the ethnic minorities residing in Xinjiang.” [2]

The author began observing the Beijing Times’ website in December 2023. Shortly thereafter, the publication announced it had been hit with a cyberattack. Some of the articles on its website disappeared, and the website’s search function was disabled. In the days before publication of this article for China Brief, the Beijing Times shifted its front-page content to focus on general news and international affairs not concerning the PRC.

United Front Work

The Beijing Times often quotes staff from Chinese friendship associations across the world which are affiliated with the PRC’s united front system. A piece titled “Beijing Xiangshan Forum: Global Defense Leaders Convene for Security Dialogue” quotes Joseph Kahama, Secretary-General of the Tanzania-China Friendship Promotion Association (Beijing Times, November 3, 2023). Kahama “lauded China’s approach to international relations, which is rooted in dialogue and mutual respect,” the article reads. It goes on to say that Kahama “highlighted the shifting dynamics from a bipolar world dominated by a few interests toward a more inclusive, multipolar world order where dialogue among civilizations is not only possible but actively encouraged, with China at the forefront of this transformation.”

Other stories cite organizations such as the Somalia-China Friendship Association and the China-Japan Friendship Association, and document the work of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) (Beijing Times, March 5, October 24, November 27, 2023). CPAFFC is a Ministry of Foreign Affairs-linked organization that falls under the united front system, which is used to control and mobilize organizations and individuals on the Party’s behalf (see China Brief, June 24).

Obscure Reporters and Shady Business Structure

The two most frequent contributors to the Beijing Times are Aarav Shen and Lynn Hatem. The publication’s website describes Shen as “an esteemed journalist with over 15 years of experience reporting on business, finance, and economics.” It proceeds, “With a rich background that spans from Southeast Asia to the heart of Wall Street, Aarav offers a piercing global perspective on market dynamics and economic policy. His work, recognized for its depth and clarity, has shaped international dialogue, making him a trusted voice in a complex industry. Currently based in Hong Kong, he distills intricate financial trends into compelling narratives for a worldwide audience” (Beijing Times, accessed August 18).

Hatem’s bio notes, “despite not being native to China, her unique international perspective has made her a powerful voice in articulating the richness of global cultures. She continuously navigates the multifaceted cultural landscape, painting a vivid picture of contemporary life and trends” (Beijing Times, accessed August 18).

Neither author’s bio mentions other publications in which their writings have appeared. Attempts by this author to find examples of their work outside the pages of the Beijing Times have been unsuccessful. This makes it difficult to assess their credentials or the credibility of their reporting. Cross-referencing Hatem and Shen’s photos using “Sightengine” and “ChatGPT 4o” suggests they might be AI-generated (Sightengine, accessed September 5; ChatGPT 4o, accessed September 5). Performing the same test with some of the other Beijing Times reporters’ photos renders the same result. The photos show some of the hallmarks of being created by Generative Adversarial Networks (GAN), a form of AI imagery used in PRC-linked campaigns like Spamouflage (Graphika, August 2020; Content Authenticity Initiative, Accessed September 6).

The publisher of the Beijing Times, Cedrus Media, is a Delaware-based company that also runs a network of 50 other global news websites (Cedrus Media, accessed August 18; LinkedIn/Cedrus Media, accessed August 25). [3] Some of these websites are now defunct, but others have promoted both Cedrus Media and Daher Media—a separate company named after Cedrus’s CEO, Georgio Daher. The websites also share content across similar publications catering to local readers in places like New York, Atlanta, and Tampa (Cedrus Media, accessed August 18). Daher says he specializes in reshaping “political narratives” (LinkedIn/Georgio Daher, accessed August 25; Daher Media, accessed August 25).

Georgio Daher and the Beijing Times have published and promoted work by a “Giorgio Daher” (emphasis added) (LinkedIn/Georgio Daher, 2023). According to LinkedIn, Giorgio Daher is an executive at S&P Global in London. While the two men share a similar name, they have different profile photos (LinkedIn/Giorgio Daher, PhD, accessed August 25).

Giorgio Daher of S&P Global has engaged with some PRC government entities in the United Kingdom. He has appeared on state-run Phoenix Television and attended events at the Hong Kong Economic & Trade Office (HKETO) in London (YouTube/Giorgio Daher, February 15, 2023 [archived version]; March 14, 2023 [archived version]). Daher posted on LinkedIn about a 2023 HKETO event, saying, “Business, banking and resilience are part of the DNA of Hong Kong; and what a rich and unique shared history between Hong Kong and the UK” (LinkedIn/Giorgio Daher, PhD, accessed August 25). He also serves on the board of “Headline Bulletin,” a UK-based media network (LinkedIn/Giorgio Daher, PhD, accessed August 26).

Daher’s article for the Beijing Times was originally published on a website called Global Economy 63 (GE63) (Global Economy 63, April 4, 2023; Beijing Times, April 6, 2023). GE63 publishes on international affairs and appears similar in format to Politico (GE63, accessed August 26). GE63’s website describes itself as “your premier source for leading news and insights that help shape the global economy. In Chinese numerology, 63 is often associated with success and abundance, hence we zoom in on Global Economy 63 (success and abundance)” (GE63, accessed August 26). GE63 also has a list of reporters with impressive bios. Some of the GE63 advisors’ backgrounds are verifiable, but, as with the Beijing Times authors, examples of some of the reporters’ work or existence beyond the GE63 website have been hard to find (GE63, accessed August 21).

Daher’s stance appears supportive of the PRC. His piece, “A US-China Technological Cold War and the Law of Unintended Consequences,” analyzes US government efforts to stop technology transfer to the PRC, US export controls on semiconductor and AI technologies, and technology competition. In it, he concludes that US policies will likely backfire in the long term. Instead, they will “compel the Chinese to double-down on their technology investments, fill any gaps, increase self-sufficiency, and reinforce areas where they have a competitive advantage” (Beijing Times, April 6, 2023).

Mainstream Media Citations Legitimize Dubious Coverage

The Beijing Times is an opaque publication, with obscure authors and a murky organizational structure. This is not the case for its content, however. Far from being obscure, Beijing Times articles have been cited, quoted, and linked to by mainstream media outlets. As such, it may have succeeded in spurring and shaping headlines in these publications. One example is Aarav Shen’s article “Revolutionizing Laser Weaponry: The Internal Beam Path Conditioner Breakthrough,” which describes the development of high-energy laser weapons by military researchers in the PRC (Beijing Times, August 11, 2023). This piece was cited and quoted by Newsweek magazine, and also linked by The Defense Post, the Daily Mail, and Asia Times (The Defense Post; Asia Times; Daily Mail, August 14, 2023; Newsweek, August 15, 2023). These publications led their articles with headlines such as, “China claims laser weapon gain on US space dominance” and “China Claims ‘Huge Breakthrough’ in Laser Weapon Development.” The headlines were favorable to the PRC and gave the impression that its military had made an important leap in its technological capabilities. Separately, in 2023, the Lawfare Institute, in cooperation with the Brookings Institution, published an article titled “Water Wars: U.S. and China Tug-of-War for Influence in Pacific Islands.” This article cited and quoted a Beijing Times story, “China’s Electromagnetic Coil Gun: The Future of Modern Warfare,” calling it “the most potent coil gun on earth” (Beijing Times, August 25, 2023; Lawfare, October 4, 2023).

PRC state media has tried to heed President Xi Jinping’s call for innovation of “external propaganda methods” and “new expressions that integrate the Chinese and the foreign, telling China’s story well, and spreading China’s voice” (Xinhua News Agency, August 20, 2013). Organizations like CCTV and Xinhua News Agency, however, will always run into hurdles in gaining trust. They are explicitly and transparently government-run, thus drawing criticism and skepticism from some audiences. Beijing Times is different. It has no discernable connection to the PRC, which allows its stories to gain more traction.

With newsrooms’ decline in resources and staff to conduct due diligence on sources and pressure to create content under tight deadlines, stories by outlets like Beijing Times can be easily shared, cited, quoted, and linked to without proper vetting. This can draw readers deeper into content that explicitly echoes CCP perspectives and lead to the spread of misinformation, or even disinformation.

Conclusion

Beijing Times pieces that echo CCP perspectives are sandwiched between neutral and informative articles. They are published through websites that mimic the formatting of prominent US publications such as The New York Times and Politico, increasing their credibility. The outlet’s reporters have detailed biographies, inspiring trust. As such, their stories about human rights and international security that align with the PRC government’s perspectives achieve greater reach. The publication thus succeeds in the founder’s stated mission of “reshaping political narratives,” but in Beijing’s favor.

The Beijing Times’ parent company has sought global impact. Its broader network of websites has targeted audiences in local communities across the United States, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. It has succeeded in influencing mainstream media in the United States, suggesting that its broader network is also affecting the perceptions of its readers elsewhere in the world.

Notes

[1] This piece includes hyperlinks to videos filmed on Loom, as a means of archiving the webpages referenced. The Loom video will rest for a few seconds on an opening shot and then scroll down through the website page and articles so viewers can see them. It should also be noted that the Beijing Times shares its name with a daily newspaper that was published by state-run media company People’s Daily between 2001 and 2016 (The South China Morning Post [SCMP], November 14, 2016). The Beijing Times newspaper experimented with investigative journalism and was part of a push by Beijing’s propaganda organs to commercialize and respond to market forces (Want Daily, September 24, 2010). The new digital publication is of a distinctly different editorial slant.

[2] Hatem has also documented a visit by young scholars to the region in a piece from October 2023 (Beijing Times, October 23, 2023).

[3] Cedrus Media’s network has included the US Daily Post, Euro Examiner, The London Daily Journal, The Wenzhou Times, The Kingdom Journal, The Executive Journal, The American Magazine, Asia Examiner, Cypriot Times, Zambian Times, Tunisian Times, Belgian Times, Scottish Examiner, Ontario Examiner, Romania Examiner, Ireland Journal, Zero Waste Magazine, Khaleej Report, France Opinion, Bangkok Wire, Florida Opinion, and Salvador Daily.