The White House has reportedly chastised U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel, warning him against mocking China in social media posts.
According to an NBC News report published on Wednesday, the White House has asked Emanuel to stop posting social media messages that can be seen as “taunting” Chinese President Xi Jinping.
Among the apparently problematic posts was one in which Emanuel compared President Xi’s cabinet to a famous Agatha Christie mystery — clearly suggesting that there was something nefarious behind their sudden absences.
“President Xi’s cabinet lineup is now resembling Agatha Christie’s novel ‘And Then There Were None,'” Emanuel posted via X. “First, Foreign Minister Qin Gang goes missing, then the Rocket Force commanders go missing, and now Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasn’t been seen in public for two weeks. Who’s going to win this unemployment race? China’s youth or Xi’s cabinet? #MysteryInBeijingBuilding.”
President Xi's cabinet lineup is now resembling Agatha Christie's novel And Then There Were None. First, Foreign Minister Qin Gang goes missing, then the Rocket Force commanders go missing, and now Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasn't been seen in public for two weeks. Who's going…
— ラーム・エマニュエル駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) September 8, 2023
A second post invoked Shakespearean twisted political tragedy “Hamlet”: “As Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, ‘Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.’ 1st: Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasn’t been seen or heard from in 3 weeks. 2nd: He was a no-show for his trip to Vietnam. Now: He’s absent from his scheduled meeting with the Singaporean Chief of Navy because he was placed on house arrest???… Might be getting crowded in there. Good news is I heard he’s paid off his mortgage with the Country Garden real estate developers. #MysteryInBeijingBuilding.”
As Shakespeare wrote in Hamlet, “Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.” 1st: Defense Minister Li Shangfu hasn’t been seen or heard from in 3 weeks. 2nd: He was a no-show for his trip to Vietnam. Now: He’s absent from his scheduled meeting with the Singaporean Chief of Navy…
— ラーム・エマニュエル駐日米国大使 (@USAmbJapan) September 15, 2023
NBC’s report said that according to several sources, the Biden administration is less than pleased with Emanuel’s comments. One official told the outlet that Emanuel’s posts were “not in keeping with the message coming out of this building.”
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President Joe Biden appeared to reinforce that notion during his recent remarks before the United Nations General Assembly, saying that the United States intended to partner with communist-controlled China in efforts to combat climate change.
“When it comes to China, let me be clear and consistent. We seek to responsibly manage competition between our countries so it does not tip into conflict. I’ve said we are for de-risking — not decoupling — with China,” Biden said, signaling that the U.S.’ prevailing policy position might be one of deference toward Beijing.
According to the NBC report, Chinese officials were ruffled by Ambassador Emanuel’s posts — a report that has not been confirmed by the Chinese Embassy and that Emanuel’s spokesperson told the outlet was “absolutely not true.”