Virus Outbreak: China showers EU with virus aidPROPAGANDA PUSH: Aid is much needed, but China is consciously exercising its soft power in supplying it, a Mercator Institute for China Studies analyst saidBloombergThe Chinese ambassador to Estonia last month accused the Baltic nation’s intelligence service of having a “Cold War mindset” for labeling China a threat, warning that its “distorted” conclusions damaged bilateral relations. A Chinese aid team arrive at Fiumicino International Airport in Rome on Thursday last week. The result is a battle for hearts and minds that China seems to be winning, at least for the moment. Aid is much needed, but in supplying it, China is consciously exercising its soft power, she said. Xi this week described China’s mass deployment of medical aid to Europe as an effort to further a “Health Silk Road,” stretching his Belt and Road Initiative.

Source: Taipei Times March 19, 2020 16:01 UTC