Why is Zhang the Chinese bully still in Prague?
U.S. Amb. to Germany Richard Grenell is so disliked and so isolated, according to Der Spiegel, that no one who does not absolutely have to meet with him avoids it, including Angela Merkel. An example of Grenell's abrasive style is a tweet last week admonishing the German foreign ministry to quit talking about its country's 2% Nato commitment and to put its words into action. The closest equivalent to Grenell in Prague isn't by any means U.S. Amb. Stephen King, but Chinese Amb. Zhang Jianmin. He wrote in MFD on March 29 that any action that violates the One-China policy is unacceptable. Just prior to this, he had had Taiwan's representative removed from a meeting. Like Grenell, Zhang is isolated. PM Andrej Babiš has said that he does not plan to ever speak with him again. If Grenell is still in Berlin, it's because Donald Trump thinks that browbeating the Germans will change their policies. Could it be that Zhang the Chinese bully is only getting started?
Glossary of difficult words
bully - a person who uses strength or influence to harm or intimidate those who are weaker;abrasive - showing little concern for the feelings of others;
to admonish - to remind a person of his or her duties; to reprimand firmly;
to browbeat - to intimidate (someone), typically into doing something, with stern or abusive words.