Malcolm Rivera
Wolf Warrior Diplomacy is a term used to describe a shift in Chinese diplomatic behaviour, which has become increasingly assertive, confident, and even coercive. The term was coined during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Chinese diplomats became more vocal about controversial thoughts, often with negative consequences for their country's bilateral relations. This new diplomacy is a departure from Deng Xiaoping's strategy of keeping a low profile and has been associated with Chinese leader Xi Jinping's encouragement for diplomats to be open and confident. This style of diplomacy has been described as a reaction to the pressure Chinese diplomats feel they have been under from other nations, particularly the US, and a sense of pride in the way China handled the Covid-19 crisis.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Rhetorical style | Not all Chinese diplomats exhibit it |
| Assertive, confident, and coercive | Superiority of the Chinese system |
| Push back against criticism of China | |
| Use of sarcasm and anger | |
| Use of Twitter and social media | |
| Contradictory nature | |
| Emphasis on "making friends" and "winning over the majority" | |
| Departure from Deng Xiaoping's "keeping a low profile" strategy | |
| A means of dealing with diplomatic pressure and frustration |
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What You'll Learn
Wolf Warrior Diplomacy is a shift in Chinese diplomacy
The rise of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy in China is thought to be influenced by several factors. One factor is the widespread adoption of Twitter, which has given diplomats a new platform to engage with foreign counterparts and voice their opinions. Additionally, there has been a shift in public opinion within China, with a growing demand for a harder approach to diplomacy. This shift in public sentiment has influenced the foreign policy orientation of the country's leadership.
Another factor contributing to the emergence of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy is the increasing resistance and deteriorating foreign relations China faces from nations anxious about its policies. This has created an environment where Chinese diplomats feel under pressure and lectured by the United States and others about the rights and wrongs of the Communist system. There is also a sense of historical humiliation at play, with diplomats recalling the period of "national humiliation" when China was looked down upon by foreign powers.
Wolf Warrior Diplomacy is not just a shift in tone, but also in substance. Chinese diplomats have become more confident, assertive, and even coercive in their interactions with foreign audiences. They have pushed back against any criticism of China, especially on social media, reflecting a more emboldened power eager to assert itself on the world stage. This style of diplomacy is not without its critics, both within and outside China. Some have argued that it is not effective diplomacy and has led to negative perceptions of China as belligerent and authoritarian.
Despite the attention Wolf Warrior Diplomacy has garnered, it is important to note that not all Chinese diplomats exhibit this style, and there are efforts to recalibrate and soften this approach. President Xi Jinping has, at times, signalled a departure from Wolf Warrior Diplomacy, emphasising the need for dialogue, cooperation, and non-contention with other nations. However, his remarks are sometimes viewed as contradictory, as he also emphasises China's strength and defence against those who try to bully or oppress it.
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It is a more assertive and controversial brand of diplomacy
Wolf warrior diplomacy is a more assertive and controversial brand of diplomacy. It is a term that has been used to describe the diplomatic style of both the Trump administration in the US and China. The phrase was first used to refer to a shift in Chinese diplomacy, which became noticeable around 2008-2009 and accelerated under Xi Jinping. This new style of diplomacy involves Chinese diplomats openly expressing controversial thoughts, often with negative consequences for bilateral relations with other countries. It is a departure from Deng Xiaoping's strategy of "keeping a low profile".
Wolf warrior diplomacy has been described as a rhetorical style and a tactical means of dealing with diplomatic pressure and frustration. It is characterised by sarcasm and anger, reflecting a more emboldened China, eager to assert itself on the world stage and less tolerant of foreign censure and moralising. The Covid-19 pandemic and the controversies surrounding its origins further contributed to the emergence of this diplomatic style, with Chinese diplomats feeling under attack but also proud of their country's handling of the crisis.
The adoption of Twitter and other social media platforms by Chinese diplomats has become an integral tool for wolf warrior diplomacy, allowing them to engage with foreign counterparts and capture the attention of the foreign ministry or leaders in Beijing. This increased presence on social media has led some to question whether Western politicians need to become equally active to balance the level of influence.
While some have criticised wolf warrior diplomacy as ineffective and belligerent, it is important to note that not all Chinese diplomats exhibit this style, and Beijing's diplomatic agenda can be pursued with or without its acerbic embellishments. Xi Jinping has also signalled a potential departure from this approach, emphasising the need for dialogue and cooperation based on equality and mutual respect.
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It is a reaction to the West's criticism of China
Wolf warrior diplomacy is indeed a reaction to the West's criticism of China. The term "wolf warrior diplomacy" has been used to describe a shift in Chinese diplomatic behaviour, which has become more assertive and reactive to criticism, particularly on social media. This style of diplomacy has been associated with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, who has encouraged Chinese diplomats to be more open and confident.
The emergence of wolf warrior diplomacy can be traced back to 2008-2009, with a notable acceleration after Xi Jinping came to power in 2012-2013. The Covid-19 pandemic also played a role in its development, as Chinese diplomats felt under attack by the West while also feeling proud of their country's handling of the crisis. This mixture of confidence and insecurity led to a more aggressive diplomatic approach.
Chinese diplomats have expressed feelings of being under constant pressure and lectured by the United States and other Western nations about the rights and wrongs of the Communist system. They also recall a period of national humiliation, either personally or through the experiences of their parents and grandparents, which has contributed to a sense of defensiveness and a desire to push back against Western criticism.
Wolf warrior diplomacy has been described as a rhetorical style that not all Chinese diplomats exhibit. It involves pushing back against any criticism of China in public forums, especially on social media platforms like Twitter. Diplomats who may have previously gone unnoticed have gained a voice through these platforms, allowing them to engage directly with their foreign counterparts and capture the attention of their leaders.
While some have criticised wolf warrior diplomacy as ineffective and belligerent, it is important to note that it is not necessarily a top-down strategy but rather a reflection of the mutual reinforcement between diplomatic officials and popular nationalism. Xi Jinping himself has sent mixed signals about this style of diplomacy, at times encouraging a more assertive approach while also calling for a departure from wolf warrior diplomacy and a preference for the non-contention principle.
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It is a rhetorical style, not a strategy
Wolf warrior diplomacy is a rhetorical style, not a strategy. It is a term used to describe the assertive and often controversial brand of Chinese diplomacy that has emerged in recent years, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic. This style of diplomacy involves Chinese officials openly expressing controversial thoughts and pushing back against any criticism of China, especially on social media platforms such as Twitter. While some have argued that this approach is not effective diplomacy, it is important to recognise that it is a rhetorical style employed by certain diplomats and does not reflect the entirety of Chinese foreign policy.
The term "wolf warrior diplomacy" gained prominence during the Covid-19 pandemic, as Chinese diplomats felt under attack but also proud of their country's handling of the crisis. This new mixture of confidence and insecurity led to a more aggressive and defensive diplomatic approach. Chinese diplomats believed they had been under constant pressure and lecture from the United States and other Western nations about the rights and wrongs of the Communist system. The feeling of national humiliation also played a role, with diplomats recalling the suffering of their parents and grandparents at the hands of foreign powers.
Wolf warrior diplomacy is not a new strategy but rather a tactical means of dealing with diplomatic pressure and frustration. It is a response to the perception of criticism and an attempt to assert China's principles clearly and confidently. This style of diplomacy is not universally adopted by all Chinese diplomats, and there are those who continue to pursue a more pedantic and non-confrontational approach. Xi Jinping, the Chinese Communist Party and government leader, has also signalled a departure from wolf warrior diplomacy, emphasising the need to "make friends, unite and win over the majority".
However, it is important to note that Xi's remarks have been viewed as ambiguous and somewhat contradictory. While he has advocated for a more cooperative approach, he has also made aggressive statements, such as vowing to defend China from those who try to bully or oppress it. This ambiguity is in line with the Tao-te Ching's concept of asserting force while appearing to yield, which influences Xi's shaping of China's national strategy.
Wolf warrior diplomacy is, therefore, a rhetorical style employed by certain Chinese diplomats to deal with perceived diplomatic pressure and criticism. It does not represent a strategic shift in Chinese foreign policy but rather an adaptation to changing circumstances and the desire to assert China's principles on the world stage.
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It is a combination of top-down and bottom-up pressures
Wolf warrior diplomacy is a term used to describe a shift in Chinese diplomatic behaviour, which has become more assertive, aggressive, and nationalistic. This style of diplomacy is a combination of top-down and bottom-up pressures.
Top-down pressures refer to the strategic incentives and directives that shape the behaviour of diplomats. In the case of wolf warrior diplomacy, these pressures are influenced by the foreign policy goals and expectations of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leadership, particularly under Xi Jinping. Xi has encouraged a more confident and assertive approach to diplomacy, instructing diplomats to "be open and confident". This shift in foreign policy strategy, known as "major-country diplomacy", has been driven by a desire to showcase the success and superiority of the Chinese system on the world stage.
At the same time, bottom-up pressures from grassroots nationalists have also played a role. There has been a cultural discursive shift in China, with a growing popular sentiment demanding a harder, less apologetic approach to diplomacy. This shift is influenced by a sense of pride in China's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic, as well as a feeling of being under constant attack and lectured by the Western world. Diplomats like Zhao Lijian, known for his nationalistic and controversial statements, have emerged as representatives of this bottom-up pressure, engaging in "wolf warrior" communications that reflect and reinforce popular nationalist sentiments.
The interaction between these top-down and bottom-up pressures has resulted in a more assertive brand of Chinese diplomacy, characterised by a pushback against any criticism of China, especially on social media platforms like Twitter. This style of diplomacy aims to capture the attention of foreign audiences and leaders, showcasing China's strength and confidence.
However, it is important to note that not all Chinese diplomats exhibit wolf warrior tendencies, and there have been indications that Xi may be recalibrating this approach, signalling a preference for a less contentious style of diplomacy that focuses on dialogue and cooperation.
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Frequently asked questions
Wolf warrior diplomacy is a term used to describe a new, assertive brand of Chinese diplomacy. It is characterised by a more aggressive and controversial tone, often expressed on social media platforms such as Twitter. The term was popularised during the Covid-19 pandemic, when Chinese diplomats pushed back against any criticism of China in public forums.
The term "wolf warrior diplomacy" is derived from the Chinese movie "Wolf Warrior", which was released in 2015. The movie portrays a Chinese special forces soldier who fights against foreign mercenaries. The term was later adopted to describe China's diplomatic style, particularly under Xi Jinping, which has been described as more aggressive and assertive.
Wolf warrior diplomacy marks a shift from Deng Xiaoping’s strategy of “keeping a low profile”. It is characterised by a more assertive, and even coercive approach, with Chinese diplomats pushing back against any criticism of China on the world stage. This style of diplomacy is not limited to China, with the Trump administration in the United States also engaging in similar tactics.
