China’s dialogue delegation better prepared and more at ease than last year
Top brass do away with spin doctors and go on charm offensive in their meetings with regional defence leaders and the world’s media
Beijing’s delegation to the Shangri-La Dialogue arrived much better-prepared and experienced than last year, with both top envoy Admiral Sun Jianguo and his colleagues appearing more relaxed and media friendly.
Just two hours after US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter accused China of being “provocative, destablising and self-isolating”, the Chinese delegation conducted separate press conferences for local and overseas media.
The media was surprised that both events were hosted by Rear Admiral Guan Youfei, director of Foreign Affairs Office at the PLA’s Central Military Commission. Guan is also a Chinese delegate at the regional security summit, and was there to take questions instead of Defence Ministry spokesman Yang Yujun.
Unlike Yang, who usually reads word by word from a prepared statement at media briefings, Guan gave unscripted answers , and was fluent and sharp in addressing US criticisms of China.
Last year, the Chinese delegation held a press conference on the final day of the forum after Admiral Sun delivered his speech.
This year, media officers from the Chinese delegation also approached overseas media to collect their contacts and called them to attend the two unscheduled press conferences.
