China’s New Twitter Diplomacy in Africa Ramps Up Fast as Envoys Use the Platform to Challenge U.S. and Other Critics

A Tweet posted this weekend by China's ambassador to South Africa, Lin Songtian, following a recent press conference he held where the ambassador accused the U.S. of fomenting unrest in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

The Chinese government’s rapid adoption of Twitter over the past several months now appears to be entering a new phase as envoys across the continent are using the social media platform to launch much more pointed attacks against the United States and other critics. 

Over the weekend, for example, Ambassador Lin Songtian in South Africa posted a Tweet where he accused Washington of having “evil intention(s)” for what he claims is the U.S. desire to foment unrest in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.

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by Eric Olander

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