I think this is the likely explanation, assuming the Chinese propagandists are competent. They need to put disinformation out there to cause people to doubt.

The other explanation is that it's a ham-handed attempt by propagandists that are operating outside their element (i.e. they are used to operating in an environment where they literally dictate the narrative to the media (whose surname is "party" and all that)).

> The truth stops being a tangible concept when it’s suffocated by a cloud of swirling lies.

American news media came to mind when I read this