BEIJING, Nov 21 (Arab News): Chinese diplomats airing hawkish views, or "wolf warriors" as they are known, have returned to the global stage, drumming up criticism of Japan's prime minister in countries that suffered from its military actions during World War Two.
A fortnight after new Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi told lawmakers that an attack on Taiwan threatening Japan's survival would trigger a military response from Tokyo, China has not slowed the momentum of the vitriol poured out on her.
"The international community should focus more on understanding Japan's true intentions and whether Japan can still adhere to the path of peaceful development," said Mao Ning, a foreign ministry spokesperson.
She was responding to a query about China's "wolf warrior" diplomacy, characterized by a pointed and often acerbic style of engagement on social media, made at a regular briefing on Friday.
In Tokyo, speaking shortly before her departure for a G2O leaders' summit in South Africa, Takaichi said her position was unchanged and her comment did not represent a change in Japan's policy toward Taiwan.
More countermeasures
China has repeatedly demanded retraction of the original remarks, failing which it has threatened more countermeasures, after warning citizens against travel to Japan, banning imports of its seafood, and voicing criticism by its diplomats abroad.
The original episode of "wolf warrior" diplomacy, dating from 2020 and taking its name from a popular Chinese movie franchise, marked a departure from the restraint that had long marked Beijing's engagement with the world.
The first sign of China's renewed tactics emerged in Japan two weeks ago with a posting on X by its consul general in Osaka, but later deleted.
"The dirty neck that sticks itself in must be cut off," the diplomat said after Takaichi's comments. Beijing called the post a personal one.
