Arr, Xi be sayin' China needs a mighty 'diplomatic iron army' to battle the oppressin' Western scallywags!
2023-12-30
Arr, me hearties! The mighty Captain Xi Jinping be tellin' his crew o' diplomats to stand tall 'n fierce, defendin' our precious land from them Western scallywags! 'Twas a rousing speech, 'tis true, given in the grand city o' Beijing on a Friday morn.
In a speech delivered to Chinese diplomats and ambassadors in Beijing, General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping called for the formation of a "diplomatic iron army" to protect China's national interests against Western powers. Xi emphasized the need to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, urging diplomats to have a readiness to fight and a firm will to defy strong powers. He expressed concern over what he described as escalating oppression and containment of China by external forces. Xi urged Chinese diplomats to prioritize discipline and rules and to build a diplomatic iron army loyal to the party, brave in taking responsibilities, daring to fight, and being good at fighting.This rhetoric follows Xi's speech at the nation's Central Conference on Foreign Affairs Work, where he boasted of China's increasing cultural power both domestically and abroad. He highlighted the distinct Chinese characteristics, style, and ethos showcased in Chinese diplomacy, establishing the image of a confident, self-reliant, open, and inclusive major country with a global vision.
The call for a diplomatic iron army comes at a time when top-level communications between the US and China have been re-established after months of antagonism. General Charles "CQ" Brown Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with General Liu Zhenli, chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission in the People's Liberation Army. While this communication is seen as an important step, the US acknowledges that it is not the last step in improving military-to-military relations with China.
Xi emphasized the importance of winning people's hearts and minds, both during official occasions and among the masses. It remains to be seen how China will navigate its diplomatic relations with Western powers amidst its push for a diplomatic iron army and its quest for global influence.