Coronavirus: between Paris and Beijing, health diplomacy under pressure

Another virus is currently traveling the planet: that of the mockery. Especially between China and Europe, with France in the first place. In question, the Chinese aid brought to the countries plagued by the coronavirus, or more exactly the intense communication made by the authorities of Beijing around this aid. Does this autocratic communist regime take advantage of the dispatch of doctors or masks to restore its coat of arms? This was suggested on Sunday by the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Amélie de Montchalin.

"It is sometimes easier to make propaganda, beautiful images, and sometimes to instrumentalize what is happening," she launched on France Inter, accusing China - and Russia - of "putting in scene of things ". Stung on the fly, the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs replied, lambasting "people who make cynical remarks", asking them: "What are they doing against the epidemic". And to recall that the masks ordered from China by France - more than a billion - are made by Chinese workers who work at full speed to make up for our shortcomings. Atmosphere…

"Europe has supplied 56 tons of medical equipment to the Chinese"

Scalded, the French minister refused Monday to comment, his entourage ensuring that there is "no room for controversy", and that Chinese cooperation against the coronavirus "plays a key role". Above all, do not poison things, when our country has a vital need for this material. "Let us not forget, moreover, that at the start of the crisis, Europe supplied 56 tonnes of medical equipment to the Chinese, including 17 tonnes from France," said the minister's office. . The fact remains that Amélie de Montchalin's exit was not without foundation. Obviously Beijing, which needs to maintain close economic ties with Europe, focused on its famous "silk routes", succeeds there a beautiful operation of communication with the public.

More unexpected, and shocking to some, the way the regime communicates on Twitter. The official account of the Chinese embassy in Paris multiplies the pungent messages, giving harsh lessons. Example: “Asian countries, including China, have been particularly successful in their fight against Covid-19 because they have this sense of community and good citizenship that is lacking in Western democracies. "

Asian countries, including China, have been particularly successful in their fight against Covid-19 because they have this sense of community and good citizenship that is lacking in Western democracies. 8/15

Clearly, against viruses, nothing like a good old dictatorship! However, the embassy, ​​which assumes this communication, ensures that there is nothing controversial there, but a sincere desire to help. "Our intention is not to provoke disputes, just to bring a different light", moderates Wu Xiaojun, minister-counselor of China in Paris.