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Opinion | China’s zealous ‘Wolf Warrior’ diplomacy highlights both Beijing’s power and insecurity

China’s abrasive, entitled ‘Wolf Warriors’ are doing a better job than any American diplomat of arousing anti-Chinese feelings around the world

This new generation of diplomats want China to shine, but as they try to please their boss, they would do well not to add to the country’s external uncertainties

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Chinese President Xi Jinping and other officials attend the opening session of the National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People. Xi has crushed factional struggles in the CCP, but in so doing has created his own personal faction. Photo: Xinhua via AP

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Published: 5:00am, 4 Jun 2020Updated: 5:50am, 4 Jun 2020

During the Second World War, Winston Churchill wanted the British ambassador to Spain – the somewhat unfortunately named Samuel Hoare – to press General Franco to release British pilots who had been shot down but escaped across France to Spain and were detained there. The ambassador protested that to do so would ruin his relations with Franco. “Stuff your relations with Franco,” Churchill is reported as having replied. “What do you think they are for!”

In everyday conversation, to be ‘diplomatic’ means to be tactful, sensitive or agreeable. But only the most superficial of diplomats thinks that this is the be-all and end-all of diplomacy.

Experienced diplomats know that diplomacy is about advancing or defending a country’s national interests – preferably by being tactful, sensitive or agreeable, but if necessary, by whatever appropriate means. In this respect, there is nothing particularly unusual about China’s ‘Wolf Warrior’ diplomats – named for their emulation of a Rambo-like Chinese movie character.

Still, some anonymous wit has wisely described a diplomat as someone who never unintentionally insults another person. Diplomats must be tough, even rude if need be. Assuming that these lupin envoys are not all drunk or babbling in their sleep but acting intentionally, what they are up to? What Chinese national interest do they think they are pursuing and how effectively? Are they defending China or harming China?

Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the closing session of China's National People's Congress in Beijing in May. Photo: AP

The sense of entitlement embedded in the strongly nationalist narrative of humiliation, redemption and rejuvenation under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) – and specifically that of President Xi Jinping – by which the CCP justifies its right to rule, invests an abrasive tone of superiority to their efforts. China’s ‘Wolf Warriors’ are doing a better job than any American diplomat of arousing anti-Chinese feelings around the world.

It is tempting, but, alas, not very credible, to think of them as CIA sleeper agents, now awoken to do Donald Trump’s bidding. Still, even Fu Ying, a former Vice-Foreign Minister and no slouch when it comes to being tough, was sufficiently concerned about the effect these doughty warriors were having to use a People’s Daily commentary to warn: “A country’s power in international discourse relates not just to its right to speak up on the global stage, but more to the effectiveness and influence of the discourse.”