A Japanese defense ministry think tank says China has been stepping up its influence efforts through propaganda and social media.

The National Institute for Defense Studies on Friday released its annual report on Chinese military trends.

The report says China has set up a new unit supervising information warfare as part of a major military organizational restructuring implemented by President Xi Jinping. It says the Chinese Communist Party and the military have strengthened their influence operations.

It notes that China's propaganda activities through the state-run media and social media have also increased, targeting Taiwan in particular.

The report says the operations against Taiwan include cyberattacks, spreading fake news and reaching out to members of Taiwan's military. It points out that these operations are wide-ranging and present a major threat to Taiwan.

Referring to Russia's unsuccessful dissemination of fake information in its invasion of Ukraine, the report says China's information tactics, which share many similarities with Russia's, could prove to be ineffective.

The report also says that China is trying to expand its control of the East and South China seas by strengthening coordination among its military, Coast Guard and the maritime militia.

It warns that China seeks to constantly conduct "gray zone" operations and exert pressure on other countries while avoiding military clashes.