Post

A Chinese official attempted some of that Wolf Warrior Diplomacy ™ shit. It did not go well. Philippines' Defence Minister Gilberto Teodoro was speaking up for smaller nations and international law at a forum in Korea when he was handed a note from a Chinese official, meant as intimidating.

But Teodoro just read it all out, eviscerated it line by line, and called the Chinese official out on their disrespect - both to international law and their Korean hosts.

China reiterated that it rejects a UN ruling on the South China Sea. “Of course, because you lost,” says Teodoro. “This is actual coercion, bullying & aggression. I will keep this paper as a memento of how desperate China is & how ineffective its position is in the face of a free audience.”

Teodoro is our kindred spirit. Because that’s exactly how you deal with this kind of modern day imperialist nonsense. Call it out. Don’t play by their game. Stubbornly stick to your values.

Every now and then the right person gets the right job and it’s glorious.