China continues to talk tough
Yesterday, a Chinese official voiced his desire for broad cooperation in an upcoming meeting with American Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
The Chinese official is the new Foreign Minister, Qin Gang. Gang was formerly China’s top diplomat in Washington, but he was recently promoted to his new position. Gang has previously spoken very highly of the United States and our culture, and even voiced that he was impressed by our way of doing things. But despite the previous flattery, it seems Gang has now bought in to the CCP’s modus operandi.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken is planning to visit China in early February, and Gang made a statement yesterday voicing his hope for the future meeting to be focused on things like mutual understanding, cooperation, common goals, and for relations to “get back on track.”
Blinken recently stated that the US is not looking to enter into open conflict with the CCP, but that we likewise cannot align to their ambitions. A clear and decisive message, the increasingly aggressive CCP — who shows little regard for diplomatic norms — is intent on keeping its foreign policy goals alive. Most notable of those goals being the seizure Taiwan and its integration into what the CCP view as the one, true China.
It is the US’s clear message — one that has been perpetual and echoed by global allies — and China’s stubborn aggression that are at odds. But despite that, Gang’s rhetoric is an echo of the CCP’s top-down, prescribed message that it consistently exports to the world. In recently insisting that there is hope for cooperation, despite alleged American imperialism, Gang has only done what everyone in his position before him have done.
In August 2022, China claimed the US was creating a “bigger crisis” over Taiwan.
In July 2022, China said a Pelosi visit would be a dangerous moment and would require strong measures as a response.
In May 2022, the CCP said the US was “playing with fire” regarding our Taiwan policy.
In October 2021, China warned the US against countering Chinese military efforts.
In December 2021, China warned of “Drastic Measures” if Taiwan stoked the notions of independence.
The point stands; China has ceased to rectify its narrative despite a unified stance against their promised hostility. The crafting of a narrative should not be surprising however, as it serves as the perfect side dish to Chinese tactics that actually do end up being conducted. Here, I am referring to what has now been widely known as ‘Salami Tactics.’
A topic worthy of its own piece, salami tactics are essentially minor exercises or policies, particularly of a military nature, that push the norms in levels so incremental, that over time they generate a large rift of change. The construction of islands in the South China Sea, aircraft and naval incursions into Taiwanese territory — actions of this nature eventually develop results or cause to pursue objectives. In the case of Taiwan, China has been able to rehearse and test Taiwan’s limits, all while leaving the door open for Taiwan to make a mistake, and give China a cause for war.
An even simpler example was Russia’s use of passport diplomacy to generate an excuse for war in Ukraine, built on the false pretense of protecting Russians.
So when we see China’s top officials posturing against the US and our allies, despite voicing the cheapest of good intentions, we need to be aware that this adversary is posturing to provoke conflict it knows we will intervene in. The hypocrisy and lies are palpable.
