New Delhi: As high-level communication between India and China to find a solution to the border standoff gained momentum, Chinese ambassador Xu Feihong simultaneously stepped up posting on social media, highlighting the potential of bilateral ties to praising India’s food and culture.
Xu, who was appointed to India in May, has been rather active on social media since he came to New Delhi, but some of his initial comments were cryptic of the host country.
But in recent weeks, he has taken to X more and more lauding India, underlining reports that showed India and China in top 10 lists on everything from “most attractive economies for clean energy investment” to “countries having most influence in Asia”. He even posted articles in Chinese media about India’s food and culture.
“China and India lead in comprehensive power in Asia, according to a recent report by Australian think tank Lowy Institute. China & India working together will inject more positive energy into regional peace and development,” said the ambassador in a recent post on X.
China and India lead in comprehensive power in Asia, according to a recent report by Australian think tank Lowy Institute.
🇨🇳 & 🇮🇳 working together will inject more positive energy into regional peace and development. pic.twitter.com/jZWu0D2x8b— Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) October 10, 2024
In another, Xu talked about his visit to the National Museum in New Delhi, and how he was “impressed by the long history and civilisation” of India.
Sharing with you the visit to the National Museum of India in New Delhi. Impressed by the long history and civilization of India. pic.twitter.com/LeP2sFDPoq
— Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) October 5, 2024
On Gandhi Jayanti, the ambassador put a message about being inspired by Gandhi’s “philosophy of non-violence”, adding that “peace and development are common aspirations of the world”.
Marking #MahatmaGandhi‘s 155th birthday. Inspired by his philosophy of non-violence. Peace and development are common aspirations of the world. pic.twitter.com/yqBvg00Xmb
— Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) October 2, 2024
Xu’s messages promoting India and China as future Asian powers is a slight shift from his posts in June, when he had spoken about the “double standards” in trade between India and China, especially after seeing a number of foreign branded automobiles in the country.
In a post on X, the Chinese ambassador had said, “So many Japanese, Korean, American and German cars on Delhi streets! Can’t help but think: should all major car exporting countries be blamed for ‘overcapacity’?”
He further said the US being a major exporter of soybean, chips and aircraft did not receive the negative labelling of “overcapacity”. His post came at a time when the West, especially the US and the European Union (EU), had raised tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles (EVs) for fear of Beijing dumping cars at extremely competitive prices, thereby harming domestic manufacturers.
Public speeches congratulatory too
The recent push for positive messaging on India-China ties has also reflected on Xu’s public speeches.
“I am confident that under the strategic guidance of two leaders and with the joint efforts of people from all walks of life, China and India could forge a right path for two neighbouring major countries to coexist in harmony and develop hand in hand,” said Xu on 24 September at a reception to celebrate the seventy-fifth anniversary of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
It is a great pleasure to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China with friends from #China and #India. I am confident that under the strategic guidance of two leaders and with the joint efforts of people from all walks of life, China and… pic.twitter.com/H21Z011Ikd
— Xu Feihong (@China_Amb_India) September 24, 2024
Xu was appointed after an almost 15-month vacancy, and has wasted no time to promote improving ties between India and China, and also to raise issues with New Delhi’s policy approaches to Beijing.
In July, Yu Jing, the spokesperson of the Chinese embassy in India in a post on X, pressed New Delhi to allow the resumption of direct flights between the two countries.
Share a video clip made by a Chinese media based on their research and data sources. They cannot help but ask: why is India distancing itself from China? pic.twitter.com/asTNF5quZC
— Yu Jing (@ChinaSpox_India) July 25, 2024
A glance at the spokesperson’s social media activity showed that she was not far behind Xu Feihong in praising India.
Between 19 and 22 October, almost every post underscored the “strengths” of India and China in areas such as graduates in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), to “applauding” the environmental sustainability of the Indian diet and even posted in support of New Delhi’s dairy industry.
Critics warn that restricting Chinese investment is starving India of capital and knowhow it needs. pic.twitter.com/K9jb1r14r2
— Yu Jing (@ChinaSpox_India) October 9, 2024
Yu has been particularly consistent with her comments on trade and investment between China and India, reposting opinions in Indian newspapers or videos to promote greater economic cooperation.
(Edited by Tikli Basu)
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