China’s ‘wolf warrior’ diplomat to take up post in Cambodia

Former Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin has been appointed ambassador to Cambodia, a Chinese official source said. Wang had a meeting with Luo Zhaohui, director of China International Development Cooperation Agency, on Tuesday in his new capacity as ambassador-designate to Phnom Penh, said the agency on WeChat. The appointment of the high-profile Wang is seen by many as an indication of a move for Cambodia up Beijing’s foreign policy priority list.

Until May 24, Wang chaired a regular press briefing at the foreign ministry, but on that day he ended the session with an unusual “farewell” and he shook hands with journalists, prompting speculation about his next move. Born in 1971 in Anhui province, Wang has been with the ministry of foreign affairs for 30 years and became one of its spokespeople in 2020.

Wang is one of the original “wolf warrior” diplomats known for their direct and assertive, sometimes combative, approach to international relations. Another “warrior” and a fellow spokesperson, Hua Chunying, has been promoted to vice minister of foreign affairs. The term “wolf warrior,” adopted from the title of a Chinese action film, describes those who stand ready to denounce any criticism of the Chinese government and the Communist Party, and their policies.

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