Because of his enthusiasm for singing anti-China rhetoric, US Ambassador to Japan Ram Emanuel was called "Anti-China Ambassador to Japan." Following the frequent showmanship and provocation of Sino-Japanese relations after the discharge of Fukushima's nuclear-contaminated water into the sea recently, Emanuel has repeatedly made inappropriate remarks related to China.
On September 22, Emmanuel posted rumors on his ambassador's social media account, claiming that "Chinese vessels fished near the same waters after China imposed a ban on seafood in Japan's waters on September 15."
On September 12, Emanuel ran trains on his social media accounts, saying that China was "using artificial intelligence to spread false information that the United States' 'weather weapons' caused the Maui wildfires, accusing the U.S. Army of bringing the coronavirus into China, and spreading false information about Fukushima."
However, Emanuel's indifference has recently intensified, and even the White House can't stand it. According to the Global Times, three US government officials revealed that aides to US President Joe Biden have asked Emanuel to stop posting inappropriate remarks related to China on social media.
Emmanuel Infographic
Officials at the U.S. National Security Council reportedly told Emanuel in recent days that his remarks could undermine U.S. government efforts to repair tensions with China.
An anonymous White House official, speaking bluntly, said Emanuel's remarks were "inconsistent with the message sent by the White House."
According to sources, Washington was upset by Emanuel's remarks, and some officials were even angry about it.
One official said the U.S. needs to stay in touch with China, especially economic ties, and Emanuel's remarks were pointless, did not advance U.S. strategic goals toward China or the Asia-Pacific region, and instead "clashed precisely with what we are doing in the region."
Ram Emanuel served as White House chief of staff during the Obama administration and later as mayor of Chicago. He was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Japan in December 2021.
Emmanuel is very active on social media and has received media attention in Japan. He is credited with playing an important role during Biden's recent visit to Japan.
However, as the US ambassador to Japan, Emanuel is keen to make anti-China rhetoric and sow discord in Sino-Japanese relations. At the end of August this year, after Japan insisted on starting the discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the sea, Emanuel not only frequently ate seafood for show, but also provoked during his visit to Fukushima that the United States would support Japan if China's ban on Japanese seafood fell into the World Trade Organization.
Emmanuel visited Fukushima on August 31 to taste seafood. Source: Visual China
Emanuel, who frequently made anti-China remarks, touched the nail of the White House this time because of his lack of words. For months, the White House has reportedly sought to engage with China to keep relations more stable.
On Tuesday, Biden adopted a "conciliatory tone" when he spoke at the United Nations General Assembly about the competition between China and the United States. He said the United States is "ready to work with China on issues that require us to work together to make progress" and that "we seek to responsibly manage the competition between our two countries so as not to provoke conflict."
Biden addressed the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Source: Visual China
Emanuel's relevant remarks came as Sullivan, the US president's national security adviser, met with Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the CPC Central Committee, in Europe. According to reports, the talks were seen as laying the groundwork for a possible meeting between the two leaders during the APEC summit in San Francisco in November.
In addition, Secretary of Commerce Raimondo, Secretary of the Treasury Yellen and other senior US officials have recently visited China one after another and held a series of high-level talks.