A controversial Swedish TV satire was only the latest incident to trigger Beijing’s ire at an offending nation
Insult China or its people, and you will pay for it. That is the message to nations that stray over China’s red lines, both in official policy and in unofficial treatment of its citizens.
Falling out of favour with China this week was Sweden. China’s embassy in Stockholm rejected a second apology for a Swedish television programme’s portrayal of Chinese tourists.
The programme, Svenska Nyheter, had lampooned the case of a man and his parents who were removed from the Generator Stockholm hostel on September 2 after arriving a day early for their reservation.
In the days that followed, Gui Congyou, the Chinese ambassador to Sweden, claimed the tourists had been maltreated, accused Sweden of violating diplomatic protocol and arrogance, and warned Chinese people against visiting the country.
China’s anger at Sweden may be rooted in deeper issues, such as Stockholm’s inviting the Dalai Lama to visit this month. But the reality is Sweden is now in line to become the latest nation to feel China’s wrath after displeasing it.
Here are some places that have suffered consequences after offending the Chinese government and its people.
Slovakia: official talks suspended
A day after Slovak President Andrej Kiska met with the Dalai Lama in October 2016, the Chinese foreign ministry said it was “resolutely opposed” to the meeting and promised “a corresponding response”.
In November, Premier Li Keqiang cancelled a meeting with Slovak prime minister Robert Fico that was expected to be held in Riga before the opening of a parley between China and Central and Eastern European countries.
In response to the cancellation, Fico said “we must repair the damage that has been inflicted,” and invited Li to visit his country. When Li met with Fico later that same day, Fico said Slovakia maintained a “principled stance” on the one-China principle, according to a Chinese foreign ministry statement.
Japan: supply resources cut off
China is the world’s top supplier of valuable rare earth metals, crucial inputs in producing a broad array of consumer and industrial electronics. Japan has accused China of using its power in the production chain for political retaliation.
In 2010, a Chinese trawler collided with Japanese coastguard vessels in the South China Sea, and Japan arrested the Chinese captain. In response, Premier Wen Jiabao refused to meet with Japanese officials at UN headquarters in New York, and threatened “further action” if Japan did not release the captain.
