Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd (Kevin Rudd) on Sina Weibo, a popular social media site in China, criticized Australian Prime Minister Tan Bao in Chinese for saying he had "delusional delusions" against Beijing and his "ubiquitous" policy against China. And published a number of issues related to China ideas.
According to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, a post published a photo of Mr. Rudd studying Xi Jinping`s speech at the 19th National Congress of the Communist Party of China in 2017, accompanied by "China entering a New era."
The former Australian prime minister, who writes and blogs in Chinese, has a personal view of Australia-China relations supported by more than six hundred and twelve thousand nine hundred and ninety nine followers.
On April 24, Rudd wrote: "I just criticized Tan Po on Australian television because he destroyed Sino-Australian relations for the sake of domestic political interests. It is very irresponsible. "
In a separate post in April, he added: "frankly speaking, it is irresponsible and problematic to say that the Australian people have stood up." "this is an insult to the Chinese people, Chinese Australians and Australians," Rudd continued.
"I have always called on Australia to attach importance to friendly relations with China, to establish a systematic and comprehensive strategic relationship between China and Australia, and not to be delusional," he said.
Although Mr Rudd`s disagreement with Mr Tan dates back a few years, the last two clashes took place in 2016, when he considered but refused to nominate Mr Rudd to the post of secretary-general of the United Nations, saying Mr Rudd lacked the temperament to hold the post. But Mr Rudd also bewildered observers by expressing his views on Chinese social media.
"these posts reflect the personal enmity between him and Tan Bao, and perhaps his personal will to involve himself," said Kevin Carrico, a lecturer in China studies at Macquarie University (Macquarie University).
A press spokesman for Kevin Rudd was asked to comment on the issue, but he replied that the former prime minister was not in a position to comment on the issue for the time being.
In the comments, Chinese netizens were divided, with some admiring Mr Rudd`s ability to express his language in Chinese, while others accused Mr Rudd of working too hard.
(photo source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
"you know what Chinese people like to hear," said one Weibo netizen. "he claims to be a bridge between China and the West, but he is actually repeating the same populist nonsense to both sides," wrote another netizen. In fact, he is a cunning, two-sided politician. "
But Dr. Pradeep Taneja, a professor of Chinese politics and international relations at the University of Melbourne, (University of Melbourne), said the main user group for Weibo is people born after the 1990s, and Kevin Rudd has succeeded in winning the hearts of young Chinese.
