Chinese President Xi Jinping's diplomatic charm offensive in Southeast Asia is drawing sharp international criticism after Ho Ching, the influential wife of former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, publicly shared a commentary comparing Xi's leadership style to that of a mafia boss. The article, written by Singapore-based commentator Michael Petraeus and published April 18 on the platform Critical Spectator, argues that Xi has governed "like a gang boss" over the past 12 years, severely damaging China's global standing.
Ho Ching shared the article on Facebook on April 21, amplifying its reach and stirring debate across political and diplomatic circles. Petraeus contends that Xi's recent outreach efforts to Vietnam, Malaysia, and Cambodia come too late to undo the regional distrust bred by years of coercive Chinese foreign policy. "Xi has been acting like a gang boss, making offers that cannot be refused, and now expects his victims to treat him as a friend and partner," Petraeus wrote.
The commentary singles out China's aggressive activities in the South China Sea-including the enforcement of the "nine-dash line," construction of military outposts on disputed islands, and harassment of Southeast Asian fishing vessels-as examples of policies that contradict Xi's stated support for multilateralism and peaceful engagement.
The article also criticizes China's contradictory stance on protectionism. Despite repeated commitments made upon joining the World Trade Organization, China has maintained restrictions on foreign firms and failed to uphold intellectual property standards while accusing others of protectionist behavior. Petraeus describes this as a core hypocrisy undermining China's international credibility.
Petraeus compares Xi to Don Corleone, the mafia patriarch from The Godfather, noting how Beijing has used economic leverage and the Belt and Road Initiative to pressure weaker countries. The article argues that the "debt trap" nature of Chinese infrastructure projects has further eroded goodwill in Southeast Asia, where skepticism toward China's intentions remains widespread.
The timing of Ho Ching's endorsement has sparked speculation. Cai Shenkun, an independent Chinese commentator, questioned whether her move was accidental or a deliberate signal. "Is Ho Ching aware of more internal information within the CCP? Is Xi being held accountable for his diplomatic failures?" Cai asked, noting Ho's longstanding ties to Chinese institutions through her advisory role at Tsinghua University.
Petraeus also cited Xi's alignment with Russia during its war in Ukraine as evidence of China's deepening confrontation with the West, complicating its diplomatic overtures in Europe and beyond. "This is seen as a war against the entire West," he wrote.
Though Ho's post offered no comment of her own, its publication is significant given Singapore's traditionally pragmatic stance on China and Temasek Holdings' deep economic ties to the country. Her choice to amplify such a scathing critique of Xi is widely viewed as a rare and notable rebuke from within the region.
