In recent years, the global stage has witnessed a surge in accusations regarding bioweapons development, particularly between major powers like China, Russia, and the United States. These allegations, while serious in nature, could be part of a broader strategy of cognitive warfare.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to cast a long shadow over international relations, with China facing persistent allegations about the virus’s origin. Despite China’s firm denial, the World Health Organization (WHO) has cited a lack of transparency as a significant obstacle in determining the virus’s actual source.
Cross-Accusations Of Bioweapon Development
Meanwhile, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has accused the United States of operating biological laboratories with the intent of developing bioweapons rather than purely for defensive purposes against infectious diseases.
Following its invasion of Ukraine, Russia has amplified similar accusations against the US. In 2022, Russia accused the United States of engaging in biological warfare in Ukraine.
Recently, Russia renewed its claims, alleging that Washington is violating international treaties. Russian state media reported comments from Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of the country’s nuclear, biological, and chemical protection troops, accusing the U.S. of collaborating with Moldova and Romania to create biological agents capable of selectively targeting specific ethnic groups.
In a briefing by the Russian Defense Ministry, Kirillov claimed that biological materials, such as human blood and tissue samples, were sent from Ukraine’s Public Health Center to Western research laboratories connected with the Pentagon.
“We have repeatedly noted that Washington retains a significant interest in obtaining biomaterials from citizens of Russia, Ukraine, and other post-Soviet states,” Kirillov stated.
While lacking substantial evidence, these accusations serve to create confusion and potentially justify Russia’s actions in the region.
US Response To The Accusations
The United States firmly denied these accusations from both China and Russia, dismissing them as unfounded and potentially diversionary tactics.
U.S. officials have stated that the CCP lacks evidence to substantiate its claims. Regarding Russia’s allegations, US officials have dismissed them as “laughable,” suggesting that Moscow might be attempting to divert attention from its own potential plans to use chemical or biological weapons.
A U.S. Department official recently told Singapore’s CNA news agency that “the United States is in full compliance with its obligations under the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and does not develop or possess such weapons anywhere—nor do we support anyone else to do so.” The U.S. was one of the first signatories of the BWC in 1972, committing to the global ban that was established six years after the U.S. ended its offensive biological weapons program.
China’s ‘Mind Dominance’ Strategy?
However, the U.S. has not refrained from leveling its own accusations against China.
In April 2024, the U.S. State Department expressed concerns in its latest arms control compliance report, suggesting that China’s military research on marine toxins could be in violation of the BWC.
The report specifically pointed to China’s research on sea-based neurotoxins, which are among the most potent poisons known and can be lethal even in minimal quantities. According to a Washington Times report, this research involves biological activities with potential applications in biological weapons, raising alarms about China’s intentions.
The CCP’s goal of achieving “mind dominance” through cognitive warfare reflects a broader strategy to reshape the international order in China’s favor, as outlined in the U.S. DOD’s 2023 report on China’s military and security developments. The PLA’s cognitive operations are seen as a potential asymmetric capability to influence adversary behavior and decision-making in ways that could shape the outcomes of future conflicts.
This tit-for-tat exchange of accusations highlights how bioweapons claims can be used to apply diplomatic pressure and shape international perceptions. Thus, these bioweapons accusations are part of a larger strategy known as cognitive warfare.
Cognitive Warfare: The Bigger Picture
The United States has also accused China and Russia of engaging in cognitive warfare—a form of psychological manipulation aimed at influencing public perception and decision-making.
According to the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD), the CCP is employing cognitive warfare as part of a broader strategy to achieve “mind dominance,” a concept the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) uses to describe influencing public opinion to create an environment favorable to China and reduce resistance to PLA actions.
The U.S. DOD’s 2023 report on China’s military and security developments highlights the PLA’s use of cognitive operations. These operations involve psychological warfare combined with internet technologies and communication platforms.
The PLA aims to influence public opinion and create conditions favorable to China, thereby reducing both civilian and military resistance to PLA actions. This approach is seen as a potential asymmetric capability to deter U.S. or third-party involvement in future conflicts or as an offensive measure to shape perceptions and polarize societies.
By framing bioweapons accusations within this context of cognitive warfare, we can better understand their strategic importance beyond their face value.
The Power of Perception
Amid the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, the Biological Weapons Convention has increasingly become a battleground for these geopolitical tensions, with cognitive warfare emerging as a significant concern in the broader context of global security.
In the realm of international relations and conflict, shaping perceptions is often as crucial as physical confrontations. Bioweapons accusations, whether substantiated or not, serve as powerful tools in this information war. They can create discord, deepen societal divides, and influence beliefs on critical geopolitical issues.
As these accusations continue to fly between major powers, it becomes increasingly important for the global community to approach such claims with critical thinking. Vigilant monitoring and proactive fact-checking are essential to prevent unchecked disinformation from causing lasting damage or potentially foreshadowing real-world threats.
- Shubhangi Palve is a defense and aerospace journalist. Before joining the EurAsian Times, she worked for E.T. Prime. In this capacity, she focused on covering defense strategies and the defense sector from a financial perspective. She offers over 15 years of extensive experience in the media industry, spanning print, electronic, and online domains.
- Contact the author at shubhapalve (at) gmail (dot) com.
