Earlier this week, Chinese senior diplomat Wang Yi captured the attention of Chinese social media when a recording of his remarks during the 2023 International Forum for Trilateral Cooperation (IFTC) in Qingdao went viral.
During this first China-Japan-ROK forum since the outbreak of COVID-19, Wang Yi highlighted the significance of the trilateral relationship, emphasizing the close geographical proximity and deep cultural ties shared by the three neighboring nations. He underscored the indispensability of China, Japan, and South Korea as partners in the realms of economy, diplomacy, and history.
In the recording that was shared by Chinese (state media) social media accounts, Wang said the following:
“When we, as Chinese, Japanese, or Koreans, go to the United States, they cannot distinguish between us. The same may happen when we go to Europe. No matter how blonde you dye your hair, how sharp you shape your nose, you can never become a European or American, you can never become a Westerner. We must know where our roots lie. If China, Japan, and South Korea can join hands and cooperate, it will not only serve the common interests of our three countries and fulfill the wishes of our people but also lead to mutual prosperity. We can revitalize East Asia, revitalize Asia, and benefit the world.”
“我们中日韩的朋友们，我们到美国去，他们分不清中日韩。我们可能到欧洲去也是一样。不管你把头发染得再黄，鼻子修得再尖，也变不了欧美人，变不成西方人。我们要知道自己的根在什么地方。中日韩三国，如果我们能够携手合作的话，不仅符合我们三国的，共同利益，三国人民的愿望。而且我们可以共同繁荣。振兴东亚。振兴亚洲。造福世界。
The Communist Youth League then initiated the Weibo hashtag “No Matter How Blonde You Dye Your Hair, How Sharp You Shape Your Nose, You Can Never Become a European or American” (#头发染得再黄鼻子修得再尖也变不了欧美人#), which attracted over 200 million views.
While there was criticism in English-language social media circles for Wang Yi’s remarks being seen as “playing the race card,” many Chinese social media users supported his comments, stating that he “hit the nail on the head.”
Despite agreeing with him, they interpreted his remarks not as a call for unity among Japan, South Korea, and China but rather as a critique of these countries for deviating from their cultural origins.
Some expressed that Wang Yi was probably taking aim at Japanese when he talked about dying hair blond and about Koreans when he talked about shaping their noses. “Japan and South Korea have no roots,” one person wrote. Some suggested that Wang’s words were a form of “high diplomacy,” where it appeared that he was praising the relations between the three countries but was actually subtly criticizing the other two while emphasizing Chinese roots.
Another popular comment said:
“Yes, it is indeed ridiculous for Japan and South Korea to spiritually abandon the old Asian ways and learn from Europe (脱亚入欧). If you serve as beneficial tools for white people all your life, you will only harm yourself and others. Japan and South Korea must face the reality and strengthen cooperation with China in order to truly help their own development. The prosperity and flourishing of the Asia-Pacific region still depend on trilateral collaboration for mutual profitability.”
One Weibo user wrote:
“Our appearances may be similar, but when our value systems are so different it’s all nonsense. We can’t even be friends.”
Throughout the years, both anti-Korean and anti-Japanese sentiments have flared up on Chinese social media from time to time. Vice-versa, Korean perceptions of China are negative or very negative (link, link), while unfavorable opinions about China also surged in Japan (link).
Ultimately, the majority of online commenters agreed with Wang that Westernization is not the path to follow. However, any aspirations of fostering unity among the three countries fell on deaf ears. Some comments expressed sentiments like, “Let them lick the boots of Westerners,” while others proudly proclaimed, “I am Chinese, and I’m proud of it.”
By Manya Koetse
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