Chinese social media is awash with criticisms of the US, ranging from sarcastic takes on Beijing’s official line to ‘armchair generals’ advising Tehran on fighting America. Platforms are tightly controlled, with most published comments heavily critical of the United States.
Social media is tightly controlled and most of the comments published have been heavily critical of the United States. These tend to echo Beijing’s official position by accusing Washington of violating Iranian sovereignty and adopting classic “hegemonic” behaviour, even if the tone is much more informal. In contrast to Beijing’s official statements, the dominant reactions online are characterised by sarcasm and mockery, with the US embassy’s official accounts being a particular target. While the official US accounts largely repost or translate official statements about the war, the reply sections are quickly flooded with angry comments about what the US military calls “precision” strikes. Online responses range from sarcastic variants on Beijing’s official line to ‘armchair generals’ telling Tehran how best to fight America.