Sat Aug 23 19:37:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewrite as a news article:
**Summary:**
The article profiles Wang Yi, China’s top foreign policy official, examining his influence and negotiating style from an Indian perspective. It traces his career from the Cultural Revolution to his current position as Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs. The piece highlights his interactions with Indian counterparts over the years, noting his tenacity in negotiations, particularly on issues like Tibet and Taiwan. It also points to his role in China’s evolving diplomatic strategies, from “wolf warrior” tactics to more conciliatory approaches, and India’s concerns about China’s regional initiatives. The article concludes by suggesting that Wang Yi’s concept of “win-win” often favors China disproportionately.
**News Article:**
**The Hindu: Behind the Dragon’s Diplomacy: A Look at Wang Yi Through Indian Eyes**
**New Delhi – August 24, 2025** – Wang Yi, the veteran Chinese diplomat and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, wields significant influence over China’s foreign policy. An analysis of Wang Yi’s career and diplomatic style reveals a shrewd and tenacious negotiator whose actions and initiatives have been closely watched by India for years.
Wang’s relationship with India dates back to Prime Minister Modi’s early days in office, with Wang securing a visit from President Xi Jinping in 2014. His early career began with re-establishing diplomatic ties. However, sources suggest that even then, concerns were raised in South Block over whether China’s intentions were more about clearing the path for a smooth visit from Xi rather than genuine partnership.
Dubbed the “silver fox” for his diplomatic finesse and grey hair, Wang’s power was cemented with his elevation to the Politburo in 2022. In the 2010s, Wang was credited with China’s ‘wolf warrior’ diplomacy, of abrasive and assertive public messaging that reflected China’s hard power status. However, Wang was also credited with abandoning the policy, mending fences, and replacing ‘wolf warrior’ diplomats in embassies worldwide with more polished colleagues.
Indian diplomats recall Wang’s involvement in preparing for Prime Minister Vajpayee’s 2003 visit to Beijing. While India recognized China’s control over Tibet, Wang’s negotiations regarding Sikkim were seen as less clear-cut.
“He is suave and sophisticated, but also quite tenacious, and can dig his heels in during negotiations, so it is necessary to always be vigilant,” says former Ambassador to China Ashok Kantha.
More recently, Wang has pressed India to reaffirm its “One China” policy, a request met with resistance. A former External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj once retorted: “If China affirms its One India policy, we will consider it”.
Beyond India, Wang has been instrumental in international negotiations, including facilitating talks between the US and North Korea, Iran and Saudi Arabia, and attempting to mediate the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
India remains wary of China’s “South Asian” initiatives, such as trade groupings with Pakistan and Bangladesh, which appear to exclude India. His role in border talks with India following standoffs along the Line of Actual Control has also been closely scrutinized.
Wang’s vision for international mediation, as demonstrated by the new center in Hong Kong, aims to transcend zero-sum mentalities. However, seasoned diplomats suggest that Wang’s version of “win-win” may be more advantageous to Beijing. As one insider remarked: “When Beijing says ‘win-win’, it means China must ‘win twice’.”
First Piper 