Beijing asks challenged Wolf Warriors to find wisdom in China’s past
- Foreign ministry has diplomats studying Communist Party history as it celebrates centenary
- Wolf Warriors are digging in against criticism from the West but even some government insiders question the value of hard-line diplomacy
In a statement posted by the ministry last week, party secretary of the ministry Qi Yu said: “Through the study of party history, we should continuously improve the ability of the diplomatic team to deal with risks and challenges … enhance the ability to fight, and be brave and good at fighting.”
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Qi also urged the diplomats to “grasp the historical initiative [and] recognise the general trend of the world and the historical position of contemporary China”. He asked that they “recognise that we are on the right side of history and strengthen political determination, with no fear of the changeable situation, and be active, hard working, and promising”.
He said it was necessary for Chinese diplomats to win over global support for, and understanding of, the Communist Party.
The emphasis on “fighting spirit” reflects that the diplomats will continuously take a stronger stance in the future, Beijing experts said. It is a phrase Xi Jinping has highlighted since 2019 in the face of rising international risks, including the trade war with the United States and anti-government protests in Hong Kong.
“The ministry grasped the key point, and I believe it will put more emphasis on the theme of ‘fighting’ in practice and adopt a stance of ‘irrational diplomacy’,” said Wu Qiang, a political analyst based in Beijing.