Top diplomat Wang Yi rallies the diplomatic Iron Army

It’s study time at China’s foreign ministry (MoFA).

On December 9, Foreign Minister Wang Yi convened a high-level symposium in Beijing to mark the re-issue of the Outline for the Study of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy.

The guest list: Heavy hitters from MoFA, the Central Propaganda Department, the International Department, and key think tanks.

Wang Yi’s message was clear: We need to tighten the ranks – and fix our storytelling.

The highlights:

• Wang framed Xi Jinping’s strategic leadership as the “greatest certainty” for tackling global volatility.
• He called for the creation of a "Diplomatic Iron Army" – emphasizing political loyalty above all else.
• Wang explicitly underscored the need to build a global narrative that is "refreshing to the ears and eyes" of the world.

Get smart: That last point – which is new, as far as we can tell – is the kicker.

• It’s a tacit admission that China’s storytelling isn’t landing well overseas.

Get smarter: Wang wants diplomats who are politically rigid "iron soldiers" internally, but charming and engaging storytellers externally.

• That's unlikely to work, as Chinese diplomats will find it hard to be "refreshing" when they're terrified of stepping out of line.