From the article, emphasis mine:

> The tweeters, it was discovered, appeared to be part of a fake band of PRC groupies. Impersonating British citizens, they exist solely to manipulate public opinion, and push the views of prominent UK-based PRC representatives, by parroting their stirring political propaganda in tweets and re-tweets.

A genuine account belongs to a real person who isn't participating on a platform solely for the purpose of astroturfing.

The study in question had its own criteria. However in my experience, I'm not sure if it is important to distinguish between someone who "brought his own rations" or is a bonafide member of the 50 cent army.

Toxic nationalism, shifting premises, constant deflection and whattaboutism are all present. Typically the troll in question will claim to be a native speaker of a language they have a poor understanding of. Taken all together, the presentation exceeds credulity. If nothing else the end result paints the narrative in a light of inept desperation.

The issue isn't necessarily with the content of the message, but the ineptitude of the deception. There's a special delight similar to obliging a telephone scammer who has a poor command of language and an absurd pitch.

If the account pretends to belong to a British resident (excluding Chinese Embassy staff), then "genuine pro-china account" is an oxymoron.