Wang Yi's Smooth Shift in Tone, Supporting Xi's More Modest Approach

Image: Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. (Photo by Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

[People News] On December 9, a symposium focused on the study and research of Xi Jinping's diplomatic thought took place in Beijing, attended by Wang Yi, a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who delivered a speech. According to reports from the Chinese Communist Party's official media, Wang Yi's main emphasis was on 'adhering to Xi's diplomatic thought as a scientific guide and continuously creating a new landscape in major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.'

Records indicate that on July 24, 2022, a similar symposium on Xi's diplomatic thought was held at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, where Wang Yi also attended and spoke. At that time, he stressed the importance of 'using Xi's thought and Xi's diplomatic thought as a guide to strive for a new landscape in major country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics in the new era.'

The same meeting, held over three years apart, reveals notable differences.

1. The specific location of this year's meeting is unspecified.

In 2022, the location was clearly identified as the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, but this year's meeting lacks a specific venue.

2. Compared to 2022, Wang Yi has mentioned 'Xi's thought' and 'new era' less frequently this year, which have been standard phrases in recent years.

For instance, on September 6, 2021, a symposium on the publication of the 'Outline of Xi Jinping's Diplomatic Thought' was held in Beijing, where Wang Yi attended and explicitly referred to 'Xi's thought' in his speech, asserting that Xi's diplomatic thought is a crucial component. He also shared five points on how to learn and grasp the essence and profound meanings of Xi's diplomatic thought, each point serving as flattery towards Xi.

3. In 2022, Wang Yi's praise for Xi was significantly more sycophantic than it is now.

In 2022, Wang Yi remarked that Xi, 'as the chief architect of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics, possesses insight into international dynamics, understands the pulse of the times, and leads global trends. He has proposed a series of original diplomatic strategies and significant ideological initiatives, establishing Xi Jinping's diplomatic thought, which serves as a fundamental guideline and action plan for China's diplomacy in the new era. This thought contributes Chinese wisdom and solutions to addressing major global challenges and fosters consensus and collaboration for advancing human development and progress... Under the guidance of Xi's diplomatic thought, major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics is being comprehensively advanced,... making substantial contributions to the noble cause of promoting human peace and development.'

However, this year, Wang Yi's tone has noticeably softened. He stated that Xi's diplomatic thought 'is continuously evolving and open,' 'always at the forefront of the times, addressing new global challenges, and providing strong ideological tools and scientific guidance for China's diplomatic efforts.' He also noted that Xi 'personally drives a series of significant theoretical and practical innovations, leading China’s foreign affairs to achieve historic successes and undergo historic transformations,' emphasising that Xi's 'strategic leadership is the fundamental guarantee.' The previously mentioned phrases, such as 'leading the world,' 'solving major global issues,' and 'making significant contributions to the noble cause of promoting human peace and development, have been notably absent.

4. The disappearance of the “Two Upholds.”

In 2022, Wang Yi’s speech to the foreign-affairs system demanded “further study, comprehension, and implementation of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, raising political consciousness, and resolutely achieving the Two Upholds.”But this year, the requirement became: “deeply grasp the era-advancing theoretical innovativeness of Xi’s diplomatic thought, and the historical initiative with which it serves national rejuvenation…,” and to “more consciously use Xi’s diplomatic thought to arm our minds and further raise political consciousness,” etc.

Why is there no mention of the “Two Upholds,” the standard loyalty formula?

5. The hosting organisations have been downsized.

The 2022 symposium was jointly hosted by the Research Centre for Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy and the Study Times. This year, only the former remained.

Study Times is a publication run by the Party School of the CCP Central Committee, whose current president, Chen Xi, is a close confidant of Xi. The refusal to let the Central Party School host a symposium related to Xi’s thought is no small matter. Perhaps the aim is to exclude Chen Xi’s influence?

6. This year’s report did not mention other attendees.

This year’s reporting mentioned only Wang Yi. In contrast, the 2022 report also mentioned speeches by Xie Chuntao, the vice president of the Central Party School (National Academy of Governance) in charge of daily operations, and Qi Yu, Party Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who chaired the session. Also speaking at the meeting in 2022 were: Sun Yeli, Vice Minister of the CCP Central Propaganda Department; Qian Hongshan, Vice Minister of the CCP International Department; Lin Shangli, Deputy Director of the Central Policy Research Office; Sun Shuxian, Deputy Director of the Central Foreign Affairs Office; Huang Yibing, Deputy Director of the Central Institute for Party History and Literature; Luo Zhaohui, Director of the China International Development Cooperation Agency.
Wang Xiaohui, Editor-in-Chief of China.com and Editor-in-Chief of the Xi Jinping Diplomatic Thought and New-Era Chinese Diplomacy websites.

In addition, Vice Foreign Ministers Ma Chaoxu and Xie Feng, Assistant Foreign Minister Hua Chunying, and Central Party School Vice President Li Yi attended the meeting. Representatives from domestic media, universities, and think tanks also participated.

This year, it appears that high-ranking officials from the Central Party School did not attend, and the number of participants decreased.

Wang Yi’s silky-smooth shift in attitude toward Xi’s diplomatic thought—so seemingly “nonchalant”—raises the question: how much power does Xi actually still hold?

(People News, first publication) △