# Chinese AI models show politically complex behavior, not simple government mouthpieces

> Original title: Chinese AI models are politically complex, not just government mouthpieces, study finds

- Source: The Decoder
- Published: 2026-11-01T12:33:01.000Z
- Bad Influence: https://badinfluence.news/items/zgf8md61juxymxtabhoaofzkh
- Original: https://the-decoder.com/chinese-ai-models-are-politically-complex-not-just-government-mouthpieces-study-finds/

## Summary

Vals.ai tested Chinese and non-Chinese models and found their pro-government lean was lower than expected, though it varied widely by model. The slant rose when prompts were in Simplified Chinese, and Vals reports that the effect was much stronger for Chinese models. Refusals counted as neutral in the scoring, and many Chinese models were tested through third-party providers rather than their official services.