Mapping and Countering China’s FIMI Activities in Italy

This project, funded by the US Department of State, will leverage IAI’s unique knowledge of the Italian political and media landscape in order to generate through collaborative research an up-to-date portrait of China’s foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI) activities in Italy. The project will focus on the articulation and dissemination of three Chinese/pro-Chinese macro-narratives about 1) “de-risking” in Italy-China relations, 2) NATO and Italy’s security, and 3) the “BRICS Plus” and a China-led international order, within Italy’s social media and legacy media landscapes. The research will result into a comprehensive analytical report that will constitute the foundation of a concerted dissemination effort articulated around four outputs: an outreach event with Italian policymakers, an academic workshop, a public outreach event and an ad campaign.