Chinese netizens have been imitating Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi as he speaks in a 'wolf warrior' style. (Video screenshot)
[People News] At a sensitive time marked by ongoing tensions in China-U.S. relations, the three-day Munich Security Conference commenced on February 13. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi found himself back in the public eye due to his 'wolf warrior' rhetoric during the conference.
Bluffing to boost morale
According to a report by the BBC, Wang Yi remarked in his speech that over the past year, 'the international situation has become increasingly chaotic, with the law of the jungle and unilateralism on the rise,' suggesting that the United States 'has undermined the foundation of trust, deteriorated the atmosphere for cooperation, and made the functioning of international mechanisms exceedingly difficult.'
In response, Japanese media veteran Akio Yaita took to Facebook to comment: 'The one who enjoys making tough statements and is still on stage is Wang Yi. This Chinese Foreign Minister often makes strong declarations regarding Taiwan, such as 'we will definitely unify' and 'no interference is allowed.' I wonder if he will also face repercussions from his own superiors in the future? After observing for a while, one can discern a simple logic: those who frequently make tough statements are often the least confident. Truly confident individuals do not need to prove themselves every day.'
A Facebook user commented in a thread: "Dictatorial regimes are akin to gangs, using harsh rhetoric to instil fear. In reality, to confront dictators, one simply needs to be tougher than them; if you are not afraid of them, they will begin to fear you. The individuals who fear death the most in the world are the most powerful dictators, who are also the most cowardly. Strike at the vital point, and as long as you instil fear in the dictator, he will comply."
Many other users joined the lively discussion, expressing: "With Qin Gang and Liu Jianchao falling one after another, and Zhang Youxia collapsing, in this atmosphere, 'survivor Wang Yi' makes tough statements on the international stage, which somewhat feels like he is trying to bolster his own courage," and "On one side is Japan, with a gentle tone, but the sharp edge is hidden in the words; on the other side is China, with strong language that seems somewhat hollow," and "Having committed too many wrongdoings, with an improper mindset, barking loudly is merely a way to bolster courage," and "Those who truly possess confidence do not need to prove themselves every day; this is akin to blowing the whistle at night to bolster courage. A truly confident nation does not need to fly around Taiwan daily; this is akin to brandishing a big knife in front of Guan Gong."
Imitating Wang Yi's Censorship
Almost simultaneously, a short video of netizens imitating Wang Yi's speech went viral on Chinese social media, but was swiftly censored by the authorities. This video unexpectedly gained popularity on the overseas X platform (formerly Twitter).
The blogger showcased two videos in a side-by-side format: on one side is a video of Wang Yi (Wáng Yì) delivering a speech, while on the other side is a netizen mimicking Wang Yi's comments at an international press conference, characterised by distinct 'wolf warrior' traits: a firm tone, intense emotions, and exaggerated gestures. The imitator begins with grand historical narratives before swiftly accusing the other side of 'interfering in internal affairs' and exhibiting a 'Cold War mentality,' rarely addressing specific questions directly.
The impersonator captured these nuances with remarkable accuracy: shaking their head, suddenly raising their voice, waving their hands, and having a wandering gaze—almost resembling a 'standard template' for a spokesperson from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Netizens erupted in the comments section: 'The person on the left speaks even more professionally than the real one; I suggest they go straight to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.' 'An average of $8,000 per person? Where's my money?'
Ironically, this video has nearly vanished from the Chinese internet, yet it has been shared extensively on overseas social media platforms.
In reality, this kind of imitation has created a recurring cycle: whenever Wang Yi makes assertive statements at the Two Sessions press conference or in international contexts, related imitation videos quickly gain popularity outside the Great Firewall; they are then deleted from the Chinese internet; however, after some time, they are re-edited and circulated again by netizens. This leads to a cycle of censorship, revival, and further censorship.
This very cycle has, paradoxically, contributed to the video's wider dissemination.
Ninety-Year-Old Man Survives on a Hundred Yuan a Month
However, what further intensified this public discourse was another video that was concurrently circulating on X.
In the clip, a 92-year-old rural Chinese man helplessly states to the camera: 'My monthly pension is only a little over a hundred yuan.' The elderly man appears frail and hunched, living in a modest environment, and his life seems exceptionally strained.
This interview quickly resonated with countless netizens, filling the comment section with anger and scepticism: 'Back then, we had to submit our food, yet now the lowest pensions are for farmers.' 'You were there when the cake was being made, but only give us the scraps when it’s time to share?'
Before long, a netizen compiled these two video clips. On one side, Wang Yi (Wáng Yì) passionately addresses the international stage, discussing the 'community of shared future for mankind' and China's diplomatic responsibilities; on the other side, a 92-year-old man receives a monthly pension of just over 100 yuan.
This stark contrast sparked immediate discussions within the overseas Chinese community. Netizens remarked: 'Hundreds of billions in foreign aid, yet only a hundred yuan pension at home,' and 'If diplomacy is for the people, then where are the people?'
In a sense, the 'merging' of these two video clips transcends mere online imitation or complaints about livelihoods. It represents a form of grassroots expression: when official narratives are filled with grand rhetoric, ordinary people resort to simple comparisons to juxtapose reality. One side showcases lofty diplomatic language, while the other reveals the struggles of everyday life.
In an increasingly restricted environment for information dissemination, such contrasts often wield more power than any commentary.
Because sometimes, the most incisive criticism arises not from words, but from reality itself. △
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