The release of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou, followed immediately by the release of Canadian hostages Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, on Sept. 24, was an event greeted with elation in Canada. China expert Rui Zhong, program associate at the Washington-based Wilson Center’s Kissinger Institute, spoke with Policy Social Media Editor Gray MacDonald about where the development fits within Beijing’s foreign and domestic policy.

Gray MacDonald

September 27, 2021

Policy Magazine: What do these events tell us about the CPC’s current approach to diplomacy? Do you see it as proof of the viability of hostage diplomacy?

Rui Zhong: Chinese state media and official outlets have essentially painted Meng as a heroine as she returns to Shenzhen. There are some comments that this affirms their commitment to hostage diplomacy, but I’d point out that intransparency on the part of the government impacts Chinese nationals first and foremost, then diaspora, before foreign passport holders. For example, many Canadians still being held in China are minorities. Joanna Chiu at The Star has written on this. This case is high-profile, but far from unique.

PM: Beijing has, since the Trump presidency, been accused of hostage diplomacy, coercive diplomacy, and “wolf warrior” diplomacy by its own description. Do you think the Meng/Michaels resolution could mark the dawn of a new era of diplomacy for China?

RZ: The decision by the Trump admin to try to use Meng as a bargaining chip threw fuel on the fire of tit-for-tat risk, but the usage of law enforcement as leverage has been a preferred tool of Chinese authorities for a long time. Meng returns to a China where businesses are getting checked not only for regulatory catch-up but also for the cause of political consolidation by Xi. Such is the era of “patriotic business”, as affirmed by Meng’s praise of the system right after touching down on the tarmac.

PM: What can we learn from this moving forward, as citizens of the three countries involved?

RZ: In terms of lessons, I think situational awareness over diplomatic shifts is probably the large thing to watch out for. It’s hard to pin down Chinese law enforcement consistently and American politics changes and preference changes can — as the Michaels unfortunately learned — sometimes loop in individuals as bargaining chips.

You can follow Rui Zhong at @rzhongnotes for more insight on China and Chinese international relations.