New Delhi, Nov. 19 -- Chinese official and social media reactions to the Delhi and Islamabad terror attacks reveal subtle but deliberate differences in diplomatic language, signalling Beijing's stronger alignment with Pakistan. On one hand, state media maintained a factual tone, yet shifts in terminology, emphasis and timing of commentaries by news bloggers exposed deeper strategic preferences.

Meanwhile, social-media discourse was far more speculative and often framed India as reactive, reinforcing long-standing foreign-policy narratives. Together, these layers of response reflect how China's media ecosystem shapes domestic perceptions of South Asia, even when official messaging appears restrained.

Shaping Public Discourse

Official st...