For several years, and especially since the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, some Chinese diplomats, commonly called “wolf warriors” by Western media, have adopted a warlike tone in the media and on social networks. While this new practice, heavily criticized by Western and Asian public opinion, reinforces the perception of China as a threat, this paper questions the motives of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in perpetuating such a policy. The paradox is that the real target of China’s foreign policy are the Chinese themselves, at home or abroad. In line with previous Chinese leaders, the main purpose of this domestically oriented foreign policy is to legitimize the CCP in the eyes of its own citizens. Thus, “wolf warrior” diplomacy does not affect the objectives of Chinese foreign policy. Three elements support this hypothesis: the visibility of the “wolf warriors” in China, the subtle references to the “century of humili- ation” and finally the instrumentalization of the cultural divide to alienate democratic regimes.
Research Paper No. 114 (Translation)
- Catégorie: Publication, IRSEM research papers
“WOLF WARRIOR” DIPLOMACY: A NEW POLICY TO LEGITIMIZE THE CHINESE COMMUNIST PARTY
8
Nov
The IRSEM
The Institute for Strategic Research is the first war studies research center in the french speaking world
