bodyType

customContents

entityId

entityUuid

articlePageQuery

filter

article

articleBaseAdvertisingInfoArticle

articleListArticle

articleSeoArticle

hooksArticleAcknowledgementGateOverlayArticle

hooksTrackPageViewArticle

hooksContentInterestArticle

articleLinkingDataContent

hooksAmpRedirectArticle

articleSchemaContent

liveArticle

advertZone

sentiment

contentLock

topics

types

sections

paywallTypes

createdDate

publishedDate

urlAlias

moreOnThisArticles

sponsorType

commentCount

authorLocations

authors

corrections

displaySlideShow

multimediaEmbed

printHeadline

seriesContainer

articleSpeeches

socialHeadline

headline

images

flag

firstTopic

glossary

flattenTypeIds

image

relatedLinks

relatedNewsletters

__typename

sponsor

pdfFiles

seriesReverseOrder

series

disableOffPlatformContent

published

updatedDate

summary

subHeadline

body

keywords

readingTime

customTimezone

liveContents

Teddy Ng

Andrea Chen

Xi Jinping's decision to compare China to the proverbial "king of the jungle" yesterday was seen as the latest sign that the president intends to pursue a more muscular foreign policy.
Xi used the lion metaphor in a speech in Paris to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations with France.
He introduced it via a quote often attributed to Napoleon Bonaparte more than two centuries ago: "China is a sleeping lion. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world."
Watch: Journalist activists protest in Paris during Chinese president's visit

Xi told an audience that included French President Francois Hollande: "Today, the lion has woken up. But it is peaceful, pleasant and civilised."
The remark could signal a subtle but substantial shift in how China - the globe's second largest economy since 2010 - wants to be viewed by the rest of the world, analysts said.
In recent years, Communist Party leaders have sought to avoid any language that might feed into perceptions that China's military and economic rise was in any way threatening.
Former premier Wen Jiabao used the term "peaceful rise" to describe China's expansion into world affairs during a visit to the United States in 2003, only to have president Hu Jintao exchange it for the more innocuous sounding "peaceful development" the next year.
Jin Canrong , a professor of international studies at Renmin University, said Xi's speech suggested he was less afraid of stirring controversy than his predecessors.
"I am surprised by [Xi's] remarks," Jin said. "Xi is basically admitting that China is powerful, and that he is aware that some countries will be nervous about it, but they have to get used to China's status."
China has been more assertive since Xi came to power in late 2012, getting tough over regional territory disputes and vowing to develop a new model of international relations with the US.

Yesterday, Xi was careful to say that if China was a lion, it was a docile one. "Chinese people treasure peace and hope to seek, maintain and enjoy peace together with other nations in the world," he said.
Jean-Pierre Cabestan, head of the political science department at the Hong Kong Baptist University, said Xi's remarks represented a warning.
"Have you ever seen a peaceful, civilised and not aggressive lion?" Cabestan said. "A lion is a big, wild and predatory animal, very much like China in its relations with other countries."
The lion quote cited by Xi is well known, but historians are divided about whether the words were uttered by Napoleon.
One popular account has it that the French leader made the comparison while warning British ambassador Lord Amherst about conflict with China.
Kerry Brown, a professor of China studies at the University of Sydney, said Xi appeared to be using the lion metaphor to say China needs to be looked up to as a big player on the world stage.
"Xi, like other Chinese leaders, really wants to be regarded as a key important leader of a country which is reacquiring its position as a major player," he said.
Pang Zhongying , another professor of international relations at Renmin University, said China had long been focusing on economic ties with other nations, but it remained relatively weak on global security and diplomatic affairs.
"China needs to be, and is going to be, more responsive with more actions over global incidents that affect peace," Pang said. "Compared to the economic side, China is indifferent in political engagement."
Xinhua did not mention the lion metaphor in its report, but it released the full transcript of the speech. Other state media, such as the People's Daily website, released commentaries describing China as a large but responsible nation.
Xi arrived in Berlin yesterday and said China and Germany shared broader common interests and new co-operation opportunities.
"I look forward to working with German leaders to map out the blueprint for the development of China-Germany relations … to discuss co-operation and build up friendship and bring the China-Germany strategic partnership to a higher level," he said.


Xi Jinping says world has nothing to fear from awakening of 'peaceful lion' 

Xi Jinping and French President Francois Hollande at a ceremony in Paris. Photo: Reuters

French President Francois Hollande, President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, arrive at the Grand Trianon of the Chateau de Versailles. Photo: Reuters

France and China should take the lead in forging Sino-EU relations, says Xi Jinping during tour

Francois Hollande and Xi Jinping at a ceremony in Paris yesterday. Xi is on a four-nation tour of Europe. Photo: AFP

Xi, Lyons mayor Gerard Collomb and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius at an exhibition in Lyons. Photo: Reuters

Xi is greeted at Lyon City Hall with a pre-dinner glass of local wine. Photo: AP

President Xi Jinping was greeted in Lyon by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, right. Photo: AP 

China’s Xi kicks off French trip with wine and cheese 

Chinese president Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan wave the people as they arrive at the airport of Lyon, France. Photo: EPA

Chinese President Xi Jinping, center, tastes wine during a display by local producers before a dinner at the town hall in Lyon, central France. Photo: AP

News

China

President issues message of peace, but use of quote attributed to Napoleon shows desire for more assertive foreign policy, analysts suggest


Xi Jinping's decision to compare China to the proverbial "king of the jungle" yesterday was seen as the latest sign that the president intends to pursue a more muscular foreign policy.


Update | Xi Jinping says world has nothing to fear from awakening of 'peaceful lion'

President issues message of peace, but use of quote attributed to Napoleon shows desire for more assertive foreign policy, analysts suggest