Chinese President Xi Jinping urged Chinese ambassadors to establish an "ironclad diplomatic army" loyal to the Communist Party that has a state of readiness and strong will to challenge powerful forces. The speech represents a shift in Xi's tone after months of diplomacy in which China sought to attract foreign investments to its declining economy.
Chinese Central Television reported Xi telling the ambassadors in Beijing, "You must strive well and defend the national interest. It is essential to firmly protect the interests of national sovereignty, security, and development, enjoying a state of readiness and a strong will to challenge powerful forces."
Despite some gestures of goodwill recently shown by China towards Washington and several other countries, it has entered into a fierce dispute with the Philippines over a contested reef region in the South China Sea and with Japan over the discharge of treated radioactive water from the stricken Fukushima plant.
Xi added during the meeting, "It is essential to prioritize rules and discipline, strict discipline for each of you, possess strict responsibility. And establish an ironclad diplomatic army loyal to the party."
In a commentary published after Xi's speech, Xinhua News Agency stated that the ambassadors "were not asked to adopt a threatening stance towards the world. Instead, they were requested to act with their best behavior and not violate the rules." It also noted that the phrase "ironclad army" is frequently used in official Chinese statements to emphasize "the discipline of government officials."
