White House Scolds Rahm Emanuel: Stop Poking the Panda
The White House has reportedly scolded Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. ambassador to Japan, for mocking China on social media.
According to a report in NBC News, Emanuel has posted a series of tweets in recent weeks that have been critical of China. In one tweet, Emanuel speculated about the recent disappearance of a top Chinese official, using the hashtag “#MysteryInBeijingBuilding.”
Emanuel’s tweets have reportedly angered Chinese officials, and the White House is concerned that they could damage relations between the two countries.
Among the controversial 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.”
A second post used 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.”
“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.
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
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
