Chinese Wolf Warrior diplomat hits out at Europe’s military focus in Indo-Pacific
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An outspoken Chinese diplomat has taken aim at the military focus of the EU and French Indo-Pacific strategies, but praised France and Germany for not being swayed by “anti-Chinese voices”.
Lu Shaye, China’s ambassador to France, suggested European nations should instead seek to work with countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
“We hope that the Indo-Pacific strategy of the European Union and France can promote cooperation with countries in the region, instead of using it as a strategy against China, especially military confrontation,” Lu said in an interview with French newspaper L’Opinion, according to a transcript posted on the embassy website on Friday.
“Unfortunately, so far we have only seen its military side. France should focus more on economic and trade cooperation,” he said.
An outspoken Chinese diplomat has taken aim at the military focus of the EU and French Indo-Pacific strategies, but praised France and Germany for not being swayed by “anti-Chinese voices”.
Lu Shaye, China’s ambassador to France, suggested European nations should instead seek to work with countries in the Indo-Pacific region.
“We hope that the Indo-Pacific strategy of the European Union and France can promote cooperation with countries in the region, instead of using it as a strategy against China, especially military confrontation,” Lu said in an interview with French newspaper L’Opinion, according to a transcript posted on the embassy website on Friday.
“Unfortunately, so far we have only seen its military side. France should focus more on economic and trade cooperation,” he said.
The Chinese ambassador played up trade and economic ties with France, saying there were 1,100 French companies operating in China.
Lu also said remarks by French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel following Monday’s Nato summit showed they were taking the correct approach to relations with Beijing. Macron said the transatlantic security alliance should not “bias our relationship with China”, while Merkel called for “balance” in its dealings with Beijing.
“They both have a strategic vision and are not influenced by the subjective and anti-Chinese voices,” Lu said. “When dealing with Sino-US, Sino-European and Sino-French relations, we have always advocated for the principles of non-conflict, non-confrontation, mutual benefit and win-win results.”
Lu said China and France had always stuck to the notion of mutual understanding in managing their ties.
“I think that as long as we continue to adhere to this principle, China-France bilateral cooperation can achieve greater results,” he said.
Lu, 56, is seen as one of China’s new breed of Wolf Warrior diplomats – named for the Chinese action movies – who have taken an aggressive approach to counter Western criticism of the country.
In March, Lu wrote to French Senator Alain Richard in a bid to dissuade him and other politicians from making a planned trip to Taiwan. The embassy later accused French academic Antoine Bondaz of being a “little thug” and a “crazed hyena” after Bondaz criticised the Chinese pressure on French lawmakers. Lu was summoned by France’s foreign ministry over his comments.
Lu told the French newspaper in Tuesday’s interview that China was just defending its interests when its diplomats took a combative approach.
“Since there are so many ‘mad dogs’ attacking China, I am honoured to be awarded the title of Wolf Warrior,” he said. “We are fighters who stand in front of the motherland and fight for her – we’re blocking the path of the mad dogs attacking China.”
Additional reporting by Wendy Wu
Department of International Relations and European Studies https://www.ibu.edu.ba/department-of-international-relations-and-european-studies/
