BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on Chinese ambassadors to form a "diplomatic iron army" loyal to the Communist Party, resurrecting the assertive "Wolf Warrior" rhetoric seen in recent years. Addressing Chinese overseas envoys in Beijing, Xi emphasized the need for them to be defenders of national interests, safeguarding sovereignty, security, and development with a readiness to defy strong powers. The remarks signal a return to a more confrontational diplomatic style, which had softened in 2023 as China sought foreign investment amid economic challenges.

While relations with the United States briefly thawed after Xi's meeting with President Joe Biden, China is currently embroiled in disputes with the Philippines over the South China Sea and Japan over Fukushima's nuclear-contaminated wastewater. Xi urged strict adherence to Party discipline, emphasizing loyalty and the creation of a diplomatic force aligned with Party principles.

This directive follows a disciplinary push in China's diplomatic corps, highlighted by the removal of former foreign minister Qin Gang in July amid rumors of an affair. Xi underscored loyalty to the Party, the country, and the people as the diplomatic front's glorious tradition, emphasizing the need for a strong ideological defense. He called for an increase in China's international influence to counter perceived Western attempts to contain and suppress China.

At the Central Foreign Affairs Work Conference, Xi criticized Western "bullying" and "hegemony," urging diplomats to carry forward China's fighting spirit. Emphasizing the importance of building friendships and telling China's story effectively using foreign language and methods, Xi echoed sentiments from a June 2021 speech. The renewed call for a "diplomatic iron army" underscores China's commitment to a robust and assertive foreign policy stance in the face of global challenges.