22 April 2014

Editorial: Why Is China Talking Tough?


By Dingding Chen

Forget nationalism, China is talking tough in order to demonstrate resolve and therefore deter the U.S.

During his recent visit to Beijing, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel received some harsh criticism from his Chinese military counterpart General Fan Changlong.
Before arriving in Beijing, Hagel had stated: “You cannot go around the world and redefine boundaries and violate territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations by force, coercion and intimidation whether it’s in small islands in the Pacific or large nations in Europe.” While meeting with Hagel in China, Fan responded by telling the U.S. Secretary, “The Chinese people, including myself, are dissatisfied with such remarks.
Two interesting questions arise from this unusual exchange of harsh words. 

Read the full story at The Diplomat