[6] CICIR publishes the journal Contemporary International Relations (现代国际关系; Xiàndài Guójì Guānxì) in both Chinese and English, as well as China Security Studies.

Specifically, these early intelligence operations targeted the US Dixie Mission and the Soviet presence in CCP base areas in Yan’an during the 1940s.

[10] At that time, it fell under the Foreign Affairs Leading Group of the CCP Central Committee, and served a number of senior officials.

[12] Given, however, that the Foreign Affairs Leading Group is its principal customer, and it is largely funded by the MSS, it can be called a "Soviet-style intelligence organ.

[12] Its activities include: providing reports to government departments, publishing research in academic journals, carrying out projects on commission from the PRC government, conducting joint research projects with domestic and foreign institutions, promoting academic exchanges, offering Master's and PhD programs.

The institute's relevance to the foreign policy process is further bolstered by its large research staff and ability to produce timely intelligence analysis.

[4] The CICIR is part of the Green Belt and Road Initiative Center, a platform for CCP influence operations targeting the international environmental movement.

[14]: 37  In a text issued in 2021, the Centre wrote that holistic national security threats are likely to emerge in "new frontiers" like polar regions, deep sea, the internet, artificial intelligence, and space.