In the latest example of bullying, China has detained with no public explanation Cheng Lei, an Australian citizen and television anchor for a Beijing media outlet. Australia has faced the brunt of Beijing’s ire since the spring for daring to back an independent inquiry into the origins of the coronavirus. Over the weekend China launched a new probe of Aussie wine exports, threatening another trade blow. The message from tariffs and detentions is that if countries take political positions that offend China’s Communist Party, Beijing will use its superior strength to inflict reprisals. China seems to think bullying diplomacy will bend other countries to its will on issues like Hong Kong, Taiwan, the coronavirus, human rights and the South China Sea.

Source: Wall Street Journal August 31, 2020 23:26 UTC