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1/ Chinese Politburo member Yang Jiechi delivered a speech last night to the Natl Committee on US-China Relations. Yang's presentation provides a cautionary example of ineffective diplomacy. The following observations are intended in a constructive spirit. http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2021-02/02/c_139715299.htm
2/ The speech misfired on timing, tone, and content. If the goal of Yang’s speech was to build U.S. support for an improvement in overall relations, it missed the mark. Instead, the speech felt like it was more carefully calibrated for a Chinese audience than an American one.
3/ The sequence of delivering a major speech before having consulted privately with incoming team is odd. Rightly or wrongly, it creates an impression of seeking to work around the new team to build outside support for adjusting America’s approach to China. That's unwise of Yang.
4/ It lends an impression that Yang believes misunderstanding and “narrow-minded prejudice” on the American side are the sources of the downturn in relations, and that with the right words, Yang can show American audiences that their concerns are unfounded and unjustified.
5/ As former PRC ambassador to US, Yang knows that patronizing presentations do more to repel than attract American audiences. Yang surely also knows that few Americans react well to foreign officials criticizing past presidents, even when they disagree with the former president.
6/ Yang's speech also dropped the most important message in VFM Le Yucheng's recent presentation. Le recently signaled Beijing's interest in putting relations on a firmer footing, suggesting "both sides take small steps first to create conditions for improving the relationship.”
7/ Instead, Yang – at least publicly – seemed to put responsibility for repairing relations on the Biden administration, essentially delivering a public “to do” list to the incoming team. This doesn’t feel like the work of a seasoned diplomat genuinely working to repair relations
8/ From a historical perspective, the US-China relationship generally is healthiest when both countries are performing well at the same time. Notwithstanding Beijing’s triumphal statements about its economy and COVID, both countries presently are confronting difficult challenges.
9/ My modest suggestion would be for Beijing to give Biden team time and space to develop approach to the relationship, rather than be forced to respond to events/statements from China. Likewise, I hope Biden team can move past Yang’s lead balloon.
10/ It would be wise for both sides to take time to address their own challenges and organize their own thinking on practical steps to better manage this complex and consequential relationship. The relationship doesn’t need more speeches or statements right now. END.
