Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on Chinese diplomats to strengthen their “fighting spirit,” a directive posted on social media by many Chinese officials.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying once said that “in order to protect international justice and justice, what is wrong with being a warrior?”
China’s vice foreign minister insisted the country “does not surrender” when interests are compromised, a sign that it is not giving up “war diplomacy”.
“China will not surrender. We will not sit idly by when the country’s interests are harmed,” Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Ma Chaohe said at a news conference today.
Ma is considered a strong candidate to succeed Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
“In the future, Chinese diplomats will continue to overcome all obstacles and always be dedicated defenders of the interests of the country and the people,” Ma added.
Ma’s statement was seen as a sign that China would not abandon its “war diplomacy” after the 20th national party congress opened on Oct. 16.
The “war diplomacy” is named after China’s famous action series, in which Chinese military soldiers carry out a series of daring campaigns around the globe.
China’s army of “diplomatic warriors” openly criticized and sparred with opponents on all fronts, from social media, newspapers, television to the negotiating table.
The arrival of this army marks a major turning point for China’s often notoriously cautious and reticent diplomatic team.
However, a global survey released this week by the Washington-based Pew Research Center found that public opinion in the U.S. and other economies toward China turned “more negative” after years of “belligerent diplomacy.”
