Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, China and Russia are deploying a global disinformation campaign intended to position themselves as global leaders and undermine the trust on liberal democracies and their institutions.

The EU needs to be vigilant and respond to these hostilities. The European External Action Service report on narratives and disinformation of COVID-19 is one step forward, however, the recent allegations regarding the softening of the content upon the request of the Chinese government are of deep concern. The EU cannot let an external country to influence in the information shared.

The EU must find its position in this new global stage and it has all it takes to fight back and lead by example, but unity and cooperation of all member states and stronger liberal institutional powers are needed. The EU can be a leader on the global stage, but it needs to portrait itself as a true Union of liberal democratic states that tackle the crisis collectively, efficiently and transparently.

The fight against COVID-19 is a common fight. Authoritarian regimes that cover up and disguise information cannot be the leading example, but liberal democracies that safeguard civil liberties and share transparent and efficient information.

.@ALDEParty President Hans van Baalen condems China’s misuse of Covid-19 to enhance communist power. He supports questions by RE MEP Bart Groothuis on softening EEAS reports on China! https://t.co/m39khOKHMb

— Hans van Baalen (@hansvanbaalen) April 29, 2020

The name change of ‘Dutch Trade and Investment Office in Taipei’ into ‘Netherlands Office Taipei’ is up to the Netherlands to decide. The Chinese pressure is unacceptable for constructive NL - PRC relations. EU and its member states should support each other!

— Hans van Baalen (@hansvanbaalen) April 29, 2020