“Men can’t live without face, trees can’t live without bark.”
– Old Chinese proverb.
For thousands of years, China has been a “shame-based culture”. However, it is interesting to note it has nothing to do with individual guilt or feeling bad about their actions. The fact is the whole `losing face’ thing is all about self-preservation as long as you don’t get caught.
The expression “to save face” comes from the Chinese word for face (miànzi), which describes one’s reputation or dignity in social contexts. In China, losing face has deep cultural ramifications. Losing face means causing embarrassment to oneself and the entire family. Xi Jinping has spent his entire life trying to build his social prestige and reputation, as he concentrated on getting all the powers to favour him.
When Xi Jinping took control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 2012, he had himself at a very personal level experienced the shame of losing face even though he is a ‘Princeling’. His father Xi Zhongxun, was a political commissar and chief of the party’s propaganda department and supervised cultural and education policies.
Xi as a boy had to endure several hardships because of his father’s falling out with the party. Mao who fashioned himself after Joseph Stalin had no qualms when it came to purging party leaders and their families. In, 1962 he was purged from all party positions and was accused of leading an anti-party movement. During Mao’s great cultural revolution Xi’s father was jailed and spent long periods in confinement and had to go through ‘re-education’ and ‘rehabilitation’. In China and in any left or right-wing authoritarian regime when an individual falls from grace the entire family has to suffer the consequences.
The unexpected stand by India in Ladakh at both political and military level probably stunned the Chinese leader. If one would read the Chinese state media reports with regards to the de-escalation at the Galwan Valley, they are blaming India for the clash that led to the death of 20 Indian soldiers and that of nearly 50 Chinese soldiers as per some news reports.
It is ironic that after China who initiated the conflict now wants India to help save face and has taken affront when we did not extend them the courtesy. The Problem Xi now faces is that if he is ousted, he will be taking a lot of people who are either his backers or simply guilty by association. Chinese society has always functioned on the basis of personal relationships and this has consequences.
That is why any claim of withdrawal cannot be trusted even after it has been verified. To save face, Xi would tell a lie if it serves to protect his face. i.e to protect his political capital. After the death of Mao in 1976, Xi Jinping is the most powerful leader who has ensured that all the power is concetrated in him. For him, it is not a case of right or wrong but, protecting himself as an individual, the group that supports him, and his standing in the party.
Saving face can be called as a method to help a person avoid embarrassment but in reality, it only promotes bad behaviour. If this old cultural practice was only limited to one’s own society, perhaps it can be tolerated. However, the same cannot be applied to international relations. China is bullying practically all its neighbours and when it suffers a setback, it cannot be accommodated. India has absolutely zero obligation to help Xi Jinping save his face.
In 2016, when there was a standoff at Doklam, where India and China last clashed in 1967, India did not gloat at the climb down of China, nor did Prime Minister Narendra Modi tried to rub Xi’s nose on the dirt. He showed magnanimity and also Modi clearly understood the concept of saving face and allowed Xi to claim the responsibility of easing the tension. But such bad behaviour cannot be tolerated every time and in Ladakh, India decided to stand toe to toe against China.
For Xi, it is impossible to admit failure because failure is seen as a sign of weakness which is true in almost any country. However, failure is seen as a symptom of powerlessness in communist China. The COVID-19 crisis has put a great strain on the global economy, China at this time needs friends, instead, it has decided to open multiple fronts against its entire South-East Asian neighbourhood.
Xi Jinping has the power to spin news within China, but he does not have the power to spin his narratives at the global stage. For a very long time, countries across the world were looking for an opportunity to stand against China due to its aggressive economic policies and expansionism.
Any celebration on the part of India at the withdrawal of China from Ladakh would be an act of naivety on our part. Xi will not take this lying down and psychologically, losing face can sometimes be so insulting that will lead to create an enemy for life to seek revenge.
For decades India has avoided any confrontation with China fearing retaliation that might cost us heavily. But this is further from the truth because fear does not make lasting peace and it is important to stand against bullies and never acquiesce.
When PM Modi addressed the Indian Armed Force personnel at the Nimmoo Brigade Headquarters in Ladakh he clearly rattled Xi. Modi said, “ bravery is a pre-requisite for peace and the weak can never initiate peace”. India admitted the loss of its soldiers and they were given funerals as heroes. However, there is no official confirmation on how many Chinese soldiers were killed by the Indian Army. Nor their funerals televised in Chinese state TV.
When Modi invoked the mighty Sudarshana Chakra, the celestial weapon of Lord Vishnu which was also carried by Lord Krishna in his avatar, it is a clear indication that the days of niceties are over. Krishna had promised his aunt, mother of Shishupala that he will forgive 100 of his transgressions. China has now exhausted its transgressions after it ambushed our soldiers and from now on any act of aggression will be met with aggression.
Strength respects strength and China under Xi Jinping understands only that language. Modi has started offensive defense and there is no turning back from that. As the master strategist, Chanakya said, “Once you start working on something, don’t be afraid of failure and don’t abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest”.
For India, there is no turning back and we cannot settle for anything less than what we deserve. A war or an intense limited conflict with China is very much on the cards because those who refuse to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
The time has come for India to counter Sun Tzuwith Chanakya’s wisdom. Chankya said never take your enemy at his word. China may have withdrawn but it is nothing but an act of deceit so we feel a sense of accomplishment and victory. But that can be detrimental to our interests. A person’s character is revealed during intense trouble and India now has a leader who has the strength and the sagacity to lead our country.
To admit defeat or failure is like losing face with China and it clear India is going to no longer extend this courtesy. Xi Jinping has to be given a moment of pause and it is evident he will start a new conflict in coming months with India or any of his other neighbours. But India will be more than ready to give a fitting reply using any means necessary.