Thread by @RushDoshi

A leaked Chinese propaganda guidance obtained by @CDT provides some very unique insights about PRC preferences, strategy, and public opinion management for the US-China trade war. Everyone should read it. Here are 6 quick takeaways:

chinadigitaltimes.net/2018/06/minitr…

1) The guidance suggests the PRC wants to frame the trade war to its people as US-led containment:

"The trade conflict is really a war against China’s rise, to see who has the greater stamina. This is absolutely no time for irresolution or reticence."

2) The PRC fears this won't end soon:

"All media should prepare well for protracted conflict. Don’t follow the American sides’ fluctuating declarations."

3) The PRC knows Made in China 2025 is a major problem. Rather than change end it, they think it is better to hide it:

"To re-emphasize: do not make further use of "Made in China 2025," or there will be consequences."

Indeed, the phrase has largely stopped showing up in Xinhua.

4) They don't want a war of words with Trump, perhaps because they fear he's quite good at them:

"Don’t attack Trump’s vulgarity; don’t make this a war of insults."

5) Unsurprisingly, their strategy is to pit U.S. interest groups against each other:

We should "strike accurately and carefully, splitting apart different domestic groups in US. "

6) There is an awareness that public opinion could become more inflamed on this issue:

We should "hold public opinion at a good level without escalating it."

For more of the remarkable @CDT collection of propaganda circulars dating back to 2011, see below. I've cited some of these from time to time in my doctoral work and they really are a valuable service.

chinadigitaltimes.net/china/directiv…