New Books in Political Science Dylan Loh, "China's Rising Foreign Ministry: Practices and Representations of Assertive Diplomacy" (Stanford UP, 2025)
Jan 7, 2026
Dylan Loh, an Associate Professor at Nanyang Technological University and author of China's Rising Foreign Ministry, explores the evolution of China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs into a powerful global player. He discusses the emergence of 'wolf warrior' diplomacy, the intricacies of institutional loyalty among diplomats, and how social media reshapes diplomatic practices. Loh also shares insights from his extensive interviews with Chinese diplomats, reflecting on Beijing's strategic communications and its quest for influence in ASEAN. Expect fascinating perspectives on the future of international relations.
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Diplomats Shape Policy Through Practice
- Diplomats matter because they have real latitude in implementation and messaging within top-level directions.
- Dylan Loh shows diplomats shape foreign policy through choices in practice, not by overruling leaders.
Fieldwork Built On Guanxi And Persistence
- Dylan Loh conducted 104 interviews using snowball sampling and guanxi during fieldwork in 2016–2018.
- He relied on introductions and repeated requests to build access before COVID tightened research possibilities.
Nationality And Identity Shape Access
- Positionality mattered: Singaporean nationality and Chinese language helped open doors and build affinity.
- Loh contrasts this with a German colleague who received less access despite similar approaches.
