Macron's labeling of Russia as 'vassal state' goes viral in China

 

 Macron's labeling of Russia as 'vassal state' goes viral in China

As the world's spotlight falls on Hiroshima, Japan, for the Group of Seven summit, Chinese President Xi Jinping has scheduled some diplomatic events to coincide with the big event.
 
First, Beijing dispatched a delegation to Ukraine to mediate between Kyiv and Moscow. Also, the China-Central Asia Summit -- which Foreign Minister Qin Gang in March called one of the top two diplomatic events of 2023 -- is taking place on Thursday and Friday in Xi'an.
 
The goal is to show that it is China who is truly contributing to world peace.
 
Amid such diplomatic chess, comments by French President Emmanuel Macron that Moscow is, in effect, becoming a vassal of Beijing have gone viral in China.
 
The comments, made in an interview with French media, have triggered two different reactions in China. Within the Chinese Communist Party, there is a sense of caution, with some believing this could be a tactic to drive a wedge between Beijing and Moscow. But Macron's words seem to have made many regular Chinese citizens smile.
 
It seems unlikely that Russian President Vladimir Putin will meekly go along with Chinese efforts to mediate the mess he has made in Ukraine. If he does, Russia could truly become the vassal state Macron described.