The Chinese diplomacy of anger with Taiwan and the United States: is it a Beijing Opera or a sign of national trauma?

The Chinese approach to the Taiwan Strait and Sino-American rivalry is often analyzed within geopolitical and geo-economic frameworks. However, the human elements—including emotions—play an equally, if not more, significant role in Beijing’s foreign relations. Using US Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022 as a case study, along with other examples of China’s actions against Taiwan and the United States, this article demonstrates that Beijing appears to be driven by a deeply rooted desire to regain prestige, defend its honor on the global stage, and seek retribution for past grievances against former colonial powers. At the same time, China’s actions are motivated by a fear of “losing face” and a sensitivity to repeated humiliation. Thus, it can be argued that a history of traumatic humiliation serves as the primary motivation behind China’s use of the “diplomacy of anger.” Conversely, it can also be claimed that China’s emotional reactions are indicative of its rationality. Unlike coercive measures, the diplomacy of anger provides China with greater flexibility to express discontent and “punish” targets while avoiding direct confrontation with perceived adversaries.