Formation of the System of Information Influence by China as a Component of the Strategy of Unconventional Conflict (End of the 20th – First Quarter of the 21st Century): Civilizational Features, Scientific and Conceptual Principles, Infrastructure

Abstract

The article is devoted to the disclosure of the process of formation, conceptual principles and organizational and functional structure of the state system of information (information and psychological) influence (confrontation) as a component of the national military-political and security organization and an instrument for ensuring the strategic interests of the PRC in the international arena. The formation of the state system of information influence (including information confrontation) is considered by the authors in the context of the features of the new military-political course to establish China’s leading role in the Asia-Pacific region, assert the right to its own model of socio-economic structure and preserve cultural and civilizational identity.

Attention is paid to the influence of traditional strategic culture and mental characteristics of Chinese civilization on the content, forms and methods of information activity for a foreign audience. The interdepartmental organizational and functional system of state bodies for the organization and scientific and analytical support of information influence, the mechanism for its management, is covered in detail. The relevant bodies and institutions for information-psychological and cyber warfare within the People’s Liberation Army of China, the Ministry of State Security, the system of institutions for cultural diplomacy and “soft power” of the PRC are considered. Separately, the energetic development of bodies, forms and methods of cyber warfare, cyber espionage, and offensive actions in network systems is discussed.

This concerns the introduction in the PRC of a system of comprehensive and strict control over the information activities of citizens. It is proved that the development of the system of information-cognitive and information-technical influence of the PRC on a foreign audience is based on fundamental (academic) science and the system of higher education, an extensive and highly qualified scientific and analytical base, a network of special research centers, and continuous professional development of personnel.