They use “astroturfing” (disguising their message so it appears to come from the grass roots), media propagandising, and a wide variety of persuasive methods to prop up China’s image. Of course there is a second class of agents who function as true spies and are instrumental in facilitating technology theft, infiltration of foreign military, government and financial operations and influencing elections (something considered a Western perversion).
Amusingly enough, when appearing in publications such as this they stand out like a sore dim sum. The next generation will surely be more difficult to recognise.
Michael Setter
Chon Buri