Hurt feelings and old friends

Whether Mercedes, Dolce Gabbana, Ronald Reagan, or the K-pop stars of BTS – they have all been accused by Beijing of "hurting the feelings of the Chinese people". The accusation has become a popular political slogan and is used by Beijing to interfere in foreign affairs. However, those who hurt feelings can just as quickly become "time-honored friends of the Chinese people". Three state or business visits to Beijing are enough if one spares oneself vociferous criticism, as Angela Merkel's example proves.

Last updated: 24. July 2025