How should diplomats respond to random racist insults of their countries?
- Racism exists everywhere and unless it is ongoing and systematic, there is no need for diplomatic attention
But this begs the question: should diplomats – Chinese or otherwise – react to random acts of racism?
Claiming that the lyrics had to do with “celebrating Real Madrid’s victory”, the fan asked the blogger, who did not understand Spanish, to sing along with him. The blogger later learned the meaning of the lyrics and posted the video online.
As the club rightly pointed out, the incident was an isolated one, which in my view meant no diplomatic reaction was required.
Racism exists everywhere and unless it is ongoing and systematic, there is no need for diplomatic attention, especially when the offending comments are by an individual who does not represent his country or government.
If every random act of racism is addressed diplomatically, how do diplomats find the time to do their real jobs of safeguarding their countries’ interests and fostering friendly relations between nations?
I asked two senior Asian diplomats for their views, and both – who preferred anonymity – said responding officially to instances of racism were rare and unnecessary unless national interests had been harmed or citizens’ rights compromised.
Rather, affected nationals were privately told to report to local police if they felt unsafe or had been unfairly targeted, he added.
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The second diplomat said overseas missions would likely choose to voice concerns at private meetings with their host.
Chinese diplomats might have publicly responded, he said, due to the need to placate the “domestic audience back home”, some of whom had said they were angered by the fan and threatened to boycott Real Madrid.
Another said it was important to learn a foreign language “not just for cultural appreciation but to know when you have been ridiculed”.
But many fans also pointed out that the individual act should not be seen as an affront to the entire Chinese race.
“What is the relationship between the club and its fans? It is not as if the club coached the fan into singing the [offensive] song”, another Chinese netizen said.
The lighthearted responses of Chinese online users suggest the incident could well have been a storm in a teacup that would not have made headlines if not for the Chinese embassy’s protest.
By getting involved, Chinese diplomats give the impression that no slight, no matter how minor, should go unnoticed.
Perhaps this more muscular image is what it wants to convey, but like a double-edged sword, it could also convey the image of a China that is prickly and even overbearing.
