China’s Recurring Pattern in Responding to Foreign Attribution

CRC
Aug 21, 2025
3 min read

Beijing appears to have established a recurring pattern in its responses to foreign attribution of Chinese information operations (IO). A recent example is the response by the Ministry of State Security (MSS), China’s main civilian intelligence agency.[i] After Australia publicly accused China of espionage, the MSS responded using its well-known rhetorical triad:

Deny – China categorically denies engaging in any form of espionage.
Deflect – The accusation is turned around: the other country, such as Australia, is itself accused of spying on China.
Display – Alleged evidence of the other country’s activities is presented, whether genuine or fabricated.

Deny:

Text excerpt about Australia's intelligence agency's speech on espionage claims involving China, criticized as sensational and unfounded.

Figure 1 - Courtesy of Global Times[ii]

Deflect:

Text discusses Australia's alleged negative actions towards China, including making baseless complaints, with no impact on China's image.

Figure 2 - Courtesy of Global Times[iii]

Display (Alleging that the accusing country engages in similar activities):

Text discussing espionage claims between Chinese and Australian intelligence, highlighting disputes over accusations and perceived threats.

Figure 3 - Courtesy of Global Times[iv]

This form of communication is not limited to the Ministry of State Security (MSS). The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) – responsible for internal security and policing – as well as the National Computer Virus Emergency Response Center (CVERC), a state-controlled body for reporting cybersecurity vulnerabilities, also regularly rely on this pattern.

This observation aligns with our recent analysis on this blog in the context of Singapore (find the post here).

[Footnotes]

[i] Global Times, 2025. China’s Ministry of State Security issues commentary article warning Australian intelligence agencies not to exaggerate their actions. [online] Published 15 August 2025. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20250815154027/https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340931.shtml

[ii] Global Times, 2025. China’s Ministry of State Security issues commentary article warning Australian intelligence agencies not to exaggerate their actions. [online] Published 15 August 2025. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20250815154027/https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340931.shtml

[iii] Global Times, 2025. China’s Ministry of State Security issues commentary article warning Australian intelligence agencies not to exaggerate their actions. [online] Published 15 August 2025. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20250815154027/https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340931.shtml

[iv] Global Times, 2025. China’s Ministry of State Security issues commentary article warning Australian intelligence agencies not to exaggerate their actions. [online] Published 15 August 2025. Available at: https://web.archive.org/web/20250815154027/https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340931.shtml

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