Review of China-India Review: Why the new Chinese Embassy magazine is pure propaganda
India must not get entangled in this propaganda document trying to pacify the Indian public by showing economic gains for losing territory.
The Chinese Ambassador Sun Weidong tweeted about the ‘China-India Review’ on Wednesday afternoon. The 72-page pamphlet is yet another propaganda booklet issued by the PRC’s representative in New Delhi.
Here is the August issue of our embassy magazine "#China-#India Review". Enjoy and learn about latest developments in #China and #China-#India relations. https://t.co/dOAC1lzgNe pic.twitter.com/aFUYr6yuzM
— Sun Weidong (@China_Amb_India) September 16, 2020
The book gives an immediate feeling of a self-aggrandising document the moment one looks at the headings and topics covered. It advocates Confucius Institutes and Putonghua (standard Chinese language) be adopted in the Indian education system.
The Chinese have understood that Indian media does influence the Indian population and is able to change the mood of the nation. The first page itself is part of psychological warfare unleashed on India, which tries unsuccessfully to woo journalists to write for the Chinese Embassy. The book propagates the most disingenuous method of people-to-people contact. The Ambassador forgets that it is only the Indian students whose visas have not been renewed and they are not welcome anymore in Chinese universities and colleges.
Kind attention to all Indian students studying in Chinese colleges and universities and looking to return to China. Please find Embassy’s latest press release containing Chinese Ministry of Education’s response to our queries. pic.twitter.com/a6ztoosEJO
— India in China (@EOIBeijing) September 7, 2020
The book further promotes the same old narrative of “a close neighbour for thousands of years” which is totally false. India has in fact never been a neighbour of China until Tibet — with whom India was the closest and has had thousands of years of shared history — was occupied by the PLA.
Respect and building bridges
The Chinese Ambassador writes this article to promote respect for Chinese traditions only. He claims, “If Indian friends learn to use chopsticks skillfully, you will win high praise from many Chinese friends.” He very subtly derides the Indian way of eating with hands as unhygienic, saying, “We should also pay attention to hygiene.” He probably is not aware of how every Indian before entering the house washes his hands, feet and face whenever he/she comes from outside.
He also promotes the Buddha in reclining position from Dunhuang’s Mogao Cave No 158. The picture clearly shows the grottoes have not been maintained for a very long time despite China receiving hefty sums from the World Heritage site. China obviously is not admiring Buddhism by such a blatant display of disrespect to Lord Buddha.
The CCP influence
The document seems completely dedicated to Xi Jinping and China’s advancements including space endeavours to Mars landing. The entire book, after Page 35, is full of pictures of Xi Jinping and smacks of China’s self-aggrandisement. The book — when not talking of China or Xi Jinping — covers criticism of US attempt to control Chinese growth. It uses phrases like “win-win” 15 times and “decoupling” 12 times. These are CCP words used to force-push Chinese agenda on to rest of the world.
Dragon-Elephant tango
The Ambassador indicates in the prologue as well as the main article that “Dragon-Elephant Tango is the only correct choice for the two sides.” He brushes aside all Indian concerns and occupation of Eastern Ladakh as a “temporary disquiet” and wants both countries to meet midway. It is the same rhetoric put forth by China after occupying areas almost 25 km beyond India's claim-line along the Pangong Tso up to Finger 4.
India must not get entangled in this propaganda document trying to pacify the Indian public by showing economic gains for losing territory.