Perception and Propaganda: Decoding China's National Security Messaging

When opposing perceptions interact, deceptive illusions begin festering in the mind's eye, and our natural biases reinforce false narratives with real consequences. Perceptions, by definition, are created using senses to form insights and intuitions that are prone to be misleading, which is why we trust data-driven decisions far more than whimsical reactions.

More importantly, our perceptions are entirely untethered to the reality experienced by others, creating the proverbial landmines that infest the Chinese arena.

The Chinese public's perceptions of national security messages are complex and not to be taken lightly, even in casual conversations. Therefore, the recent propaganda push by China's powerful civilian spy agency , the Ministry of State Security (MSS), is noteworthy. On National Security Education Day, April 15, 2024,?the MSS delivered a stern message to the Chinese public:?foreign spies are everywhere.

As if watching a?Mission Impossible?movie trailer, a narrator says,?"In the sea of people, you may never notice them. Their identities are changeable; they have countless disguises and do not hesitate to change their gender. But as long as there are 1.4 billion of you and me, we can build 1.4 billion lines of defense!"

Suppose the US mainstream media is calling China our biggest geopolitical threat. Should we expect Chinese state-controlled media to do anything less? It is a wasteful exercise to criticize Chinese propaganda when we should all be laser-focused on managing the perceptions they create and our perceptions of them in return.

Given strict state control over all media in China and the emphasis on national security, Chinese citizens cannot avoid its influence, especially when these messages have been repeated for decades. While different Chinese demographics will accept government narratives differently, their acceptance relative to foreign antagonists is universal.

Be aware when you hear dismissive complaints from your Chinese counterparts, and don't be fooled. These expressions should be considered olive branches, not consensus, and especially not anti-CCP.

Tactically, I would take a counter position and play devil's advocate against the US government and biased mainstream media. I want to win inside the Chinese arena, not fill my coffers with worthless emotional victories.

This video takes a remarkable approach, highlighting Chinese-looking traitors instead of foreign infiltrators. This shift in focus has significant psychological ramifications, highlighting Chinese people's tendency to respond favorably to personal benefits (利益 Lìyì), making them culturally susceptible to bribery. To its intended audience, Chinese citizens, this video has two powerful messages:

• Message 1: Foreign spies will look Chinese
• Message 2: Foreign nations are aggressively trying to infiltrate China to cause harm

Psychologically, foreigners, especially Americans, cannot be trusted. As an American, I would nod in agreement, side with any negative opinions, and accept losing petty battles to emerge victorious in my objectives. From any other non-Chinese nationality, the easiest Face-saving offramp would be to complain about the Americans. Tactically, our overarching goal is to pivot and resume exchanging goodwill and reciprocity to deepen our Guanxi relationship.

Is your emotional quotient (EQ) high enough to digress in these conversations?

Learn more about my upcoming book , Strategic Pragmatism for De-Risking Post-Covid China: Circumnavigating Cultural and Psychological Landmines Inside the Chinese Arena, on my new author page .