China’s influence on political information flows in Europe operates through a combination of state-led initiatives and broader social dynamics. Public diplomacy efforts, partnerships with state media, and amplification strategies all contribute to increasing the visibility of pro-government narratives. At the same time, factors such as self-censorship and nationalism can limit the reach of more critical perspectives.

Instead of relying mainly on direct censorship, these approaches shape the salience of information by making certain narratives more prominent while pushing others to the margins. Because both state and non-state actors are involved, identifying responsibility and designing effective responses becomes more complex. A deeper understanding of these dynamics is therefore key to protecting open debate and reinforcing democratic resilience.