Wang Yi positions China as reliable

On Saturday, China’s top diplomat Wang Yi sought to position China as a force for stability in his keynote speech at the Munich Security Conference:

• “The key message I wish to deliver here is this: No matter how the world changes, China, as a responsible major country, will keep its major principles and policies consistent and stable and serve as a staunch force for stability in a turbulent world.”

Wang then promised that China would use its influence to promote peace in key global hotspots, including:

• Gaza
• Ukraine
• The Korean Peninsula
• Myanmar

Get smart: The inability and/or unwillingness of the US Congress to pass support packages for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan is sowing doubts in Europe about the dependability of the US. A looming potential Trump presidency only adds to those doubts.

• Wang's positioning China as a force of stability (in opposition to the erratic United States) is a savvy rhetorical turn.

Get smarter: Good soundbites aren’t enough. European countries are thoroughly unimpressed with China’s efforts to mediate in Ukraine or play a constructive role in Gaza.

• China will need to more actively contribute to solving these issues to capitalize on increasing European concerns about the US.