中国和俄国的联盟

How to make friends

Earlier this month during a debate at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Yan Xuetong, the Dean of the Institute of Modern International Relations at China's prestigious Tsinghua University, explained why these conflicts have gotten so bad. It is because they are a projection.

"The fundamental reason for... the deterioration [of China's relationship with Canada and Australia] is that they take sides with the US to contain China," he said. "In 90% of issues they stand with the US, less than 10% of issues with China!"

Going full-antagonist is not how China will move US allies into its camp, obviously, but isn't about making friends. Wolf Warrior diplomacy suggests that China's authorities are performing for President Xi Jinping, for the Kremlin, and for other fellow travelers who believe in the decline of the West. This is all about drawing a line in the sand.

This is not lost on the incoming Biden administration, which has emphasized a return to US leadership and allyship.

Jake Sullivan, Biden's National Security Adviser, is already showing support for Australia in its conflict with Beijing. The Trump administration was a window of opportunity for China. It could have used Trump's animosity toward US allies to drive a wedge between the US and its allies. Now that window has closed, and what China likely faces is a very angry America and her very angry friends..