Much has been written about China’s military strategy but very little about the strategy and motivations of its diplomats. Today, they talk like a superpower and expect to be treated as one. “Wolf Warrior Diplomacy” is the term used to describe the new, more combative approach of China’s interaction with other countries and international organizations. While in the short term it may build domestic support—on balance, is it effective? Or is it instead damaging to China’s reputation?
Peter Martin, a reporter for Bloomberg News, is now based in Washington, D.C. after a long stint in Beijing. He is the author of China’s Civilian Army: The Making of Wolf Warrior Diplomacy. Having received extensive praise for his writings on this subject from David Ignatius, Evan Osnos and many others, Peter now joins CIR for an in-depth online discussion.