China Flexes Economic Muscle, Scores Diplomatic Hat Trick
- Norway, Mongolia, Sao Tome all recant for slights to China
- Shows Beijing’s use economic leverage to achieve interests
China's Diplomatic Hat Trick
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Three nations on three continents -- Norway, Mongolia and the tiny West African country of Sao Tome and Principe -- together this week demonstrated China’s readiness to use its economic leverage to achieve its national interests.
Within 48 hours, each publicly recanted for perceived offenses to China’s “core interests,” including support for Taiwan, Tibet and a local activist who called for ending the Communist Party’s monopoly on power. While the cases were unrelated, they had a similar element: Promises of better ties with the world’s second-largest economy, such as trade deals and financial support.