It isn't just coping.
Undoubtedly they know they're losing the fight.
Undoubtedly they know there's nothing they can do about it (being overtaken).
This is then The Standard Playbook of unnamed sources and anon insiders close to the project (etc) to shape the narrative against China by reinforcing that China "copies", China "steals" - that China is the antithesis to good, moral, successful western values and is therefore "The Enemy"
The last thing they want is for their populace to view China in the same light as say Japan for instance. The moment China is viewed as a beautiful country with fascinating culture and wonderful people, they will not have the popular support required to justify conflicts with China, whether economic or kinetic.