Chinese Diplomacy and Wolf Warrior
How Chinese diplomatic style shifted from Deng Xiaoping's cautious approach to the aggressive 'wolf warrior' posture, what drove the change, and whether it has helped or hurt China's interests.
From 'Hide and Bide' to Wolf Warrior
Deng Xiaoping's foreign policy maxim was 'hide your strength, bide your time.' For three decades, China pursued a low-profile diplomatic approach, avoiding confrontation, building economic relationships, and reassuring neighbors. Chinese diplomats were known for careful, formulaic statements that avoided giving offense.
Under Xi Jinping, this approach has been replaced by what observers call 'wolf warrior diplomacy,' named after a jingoistic Chinese action film franchise. Chinese diplomats now aggressively push back against perceived criticism, use social media to troll foreign governments, and make combative statements that would have been unthinkable a decade earlier. Zhao Lijian, a Foreign Ministry spokesperson, promoted conspiracy theories about the origins of COVID-19. Chinese ambassadors have publicly threatened countries that criticize China on human rights.