Chinese diplomat vows to ‘keep striking’ Western public opinion

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Chinese officials don’t care if they offend Western audiences, according to one of Beijing’s top envoys in Europe.

“Westerners criticize us for being undiplomatic,” Chinese Ambassador to France Lu Shaye told Chinese media. “We will not stop doing what we are doing simply because foreigners don’t like what we do.”

Chinese diplomats have adopted a truculent posture throughout the coronavirus pandemic after the regime’s censorship of early warnings provoked anger at home and abroad. Chinese General Secretary Xi Jinping recently affirmed the need to “constantly expand the circle of friends” abroad, a statement perceived as a sign that Beijing could try to reconsider its diplomatic approach, but Lu implied that the diplomats are performing for China’s domestic audience.

“We do not evaluate our work by how foreigners see us but whether the people in our nation are happy with our work,” Lu said.

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China’s declining reputation abroad has created political incentives for leaders of democratic countries to confront Beijing, as President Joe Biden’s administration attempts to forge an “alliance of democracies” to manage threats from the authoritarian regime.

“The West has launched a public opinion war against us,” Lu said. “How can we not fight back? China’s image would be tarnished as they desire if we do not strike back.”

Australia has borne the brunt of that approach as Beijing imposed a series of severe economic sanctions in response to Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s call for an investigation into the origins of the coronavirus pandemic. French President Emmanuel Macron condemned that treatment of Australia this week while hosting Morrison in Paris.

“I know you are on the front lines of tensions that can exist in the region, of threats, sometimes of intimidation, and I want to say again here how much we stand by your side,” Macron told Morrison in a clear but implicit reference to China. “I would like to reiterate how committed France remains to defending the balance in the Indo-Pacific region and how much we consider the partnership we have with Australia is essential in the Indo-Pacific strategy.”

Lu, who angered French officials in March by refusing to answer a summons to the foreign ministry over his insulting public rhetoric, said that his strategy is anchored in the late Chinese General Secretary Deng Xiaoping’s mandate for Chinese officials to “achieve something” in their work.

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“Our striking on diplomatic and public opinion fronts is a form of ‘achieve something,’” he said, in addition to describing his message to French reporters in a recent meeting. “I told them our style has changed, and you need to get used to our new style.”

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