A recent US assessment claims that China launched a disinformation campaign following the India-Pakistan conflict in May 2025 to undermine sales of French Rafale aircraft in favor of its own J-35 jets. The report by the US-China Economic and Security Review Commission highlights the use of fake social media accounts to spread AI-generated images of supposed wreckage from the Rafale planes. It also mentions that Chinese officials influenced Indonesia to halt its Rafale jet purchase, enhancing China’s military influence in the region.
The assessment notes increasing defense cooperation between China and Pakistan, including joint military drills and China’s offer to sell advanced military equipment to Pakistan, alongside a significant boost in Pakistan’s defense budget.
This report comes as President Donald Trump reasserts his role in de-escalating tensions between India and Pakistan during a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump claims his administration’s efforts, including trade tariffs, quickly settled the conflict, a statement disputed by India. He continues to assert that he has stopped several wars during his presidency, including the India-Pakistan situation that escalated after a terrorist attack in April 2025.
