In recent days, deadly clashes broke out on ridges along the border of China and India in the Galwan Valley, killing dozens and injuring hundreds of soldiers on both sides. This was said to be the most intense military face-off along the border since the 1962 Sino-Indian war. With this clash, China’s Wolf Warrior-like provocations and strongman diplomacy towards its neighboring countries and in the border areas are once again highlighted. As an extension, the same Wolf Warrior-style malevolence and ferocity can be seen in Beijing’s tactics in its own regional governance, including Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

The “Celestial Empire” attitude goes back a long way in the way China views its relationship with neighbors. Due to its vast territorial coverage, not only are there many neighboring countries, but most of them are smaller and weaker than China. In its extensive history, China’s invasions of border countries have been nothing but innumerous. Even as we have reached the 21st century, China and many neighboring countries are constantly in disputes over border issues, such as with the Southeast Asian countries over South China Sea, with India over the border, and tensions with Japan and even North Korea.

Relationship between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have continued to slump, with China continuously provoking the southwest regions with military aircrafts and aircraft carriers, and even conducting a major military drill simulating the “seizure” of Taiwan-held island. By creating a tense atmosphere on both sides of the Strait, China’s intention to intimidate using military is self-evident.

The “Celestial Empire” mentality is also apparent domestically. Beijing’s treatments of regions outside of the “Central Plains” [historically known as the ideal, inland economic zone] and ethnic minorities have also been through a Wolf Warrior-like demand of obedience from the people. From the persecution of the Uyghur people in Xinjiang, to the recent extermination of the promise of “One Country, Two Systems” through the forceful hand of the Hong Kong National Security Law, Beijing has fully exemplified its domineering governance through intimidation beyond the “Central Plains”.

Particularly in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, it is unmistakable that the Beijing regime takes nothing but self-interest as its core, and would do whatever it takes to achieve governance. In essence, the wedges stuck between Beijing’s “Celestial Empire” and its regions are: For Xinjiang, one that is about nationalism; for Hong Kong, one that is about the rule of law and system. As soon as these differences threaten Beijing in terms of governance or inconvenience, there will be no hesitation in using bloody or high-pressure methods to eliminate voices of dissent that do not echo the tunes of the “Celestial Empire”.

Beijing’s Wolf Warrior mantra of “luring by interests, deterring by power” stemmed from the background of China’s rise to power. Equipped with both economic and military powers, it has been Beijing’s consistent style in recent years to have one hand on the economic interests, and another on military pressure in the handling of international affairs. This was reflected in the “Belt and Road Initiative” in recent years, and even the prevention and diplomacy of the Wuhan Virus in the first half of the year. Further, the Taiwan policy reflects the same line of logic and thinking.

This kind of muscle-flexing through “sharp power” to achieve diplomacy or internal governance has not only failed to win the trust of people, but also to gain genuine respect in diplomacy. Moreover, picking fights and making enemies all around will only wipe out the remaining international reputation and respect for a regime that is already walking on a tightrope.

As China carries out frequent military provocations on the Taiwan Strait, the two-fold “Benefiting Taiwan, forcing reunification” continues toward the goal of unification. Judging from Hong Kong’s experience, “One Country, Two Systems” is only a sugar coat. As soon as the governance of Hong Kong is challenged, Beijing can single-handedly expunge a promise. Recently, Kuomintang has once again aroused debates around the “1992 Consensus”. From Xi Jinping’s interpretation of the Consensus under Beijing’s “Celestial Empire” mentality, however, it is nothing but a discourse tool with the aim of unification. Since equated with “One Country, Two Systems”, once unification is achieved, Taiwan, under the condition of unequal power, will inevitably face the crisis of “HongKongization” any moment.

In face of such Wolf Warrior mentality, a regime that would stop at nothing to achieve its goal, there must not be any imagination or illusion towards “1992 Consensus”. It is only when all Taiwanese unite and work together to win international support, can the core values of freedom and democracy be safeguarded.

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