The US intelligence community has raised alarms about potential Chinese interference in the 2024 elections, highlighting the risk of rogue propaganda actors operating beyond Beijing’s control.

According to the latest threat assessment report, China’s agenda to marginalize critics and exploit societal divisions in the US could motivate interference in the upcoming elections. While the report was initially published on February 5, its public release occurred more recently.

The report underscores China’s use of its propaganda apparatus, including platforms like TikTok, to target candidates across party lines during previous elections. It notes an escalation in covert influence operations and information dissemination by Chinese propaganda actors.

Furthermore, the report suggests that the Chinese government may struggle to regulate these activities effectively, potentially leading to unauthorized attempts at election interference aligned with Beijing’s objectives.

These findings contrast with previous assurances from Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who reportedly pledged non-interference in the 2024 elections during a meeting with President Joe Biden. Despite China’s denial of involvement in other countries’ domestic politics, allegations of interference have been leveled by several nations, including Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin reiterated China’s commitment to non-interference in internal affairs, emphasizing the presidential election as a domestic matter for the US.

However, concerns persist regarding the potential for unauthorized propaganda activities aimed at influencing the electoral process. Requests for comment from China’s foreign ministry regarding the intelligence report remained unanswered at the time of publication.