556 { China’s Quest
Chinese authorities duly carried out an investigation, found no banned
chemicals, and so informed the US embassy. Paramount leader Jiang Zemin
gave a personal assurance to this effect to Ambassador Stapleton Roy, who
believed that such a direct assurance from Jiang should be credited.
While all this was going on, the Yinhe proceeded on its journey across
the Indian Ocean, closely watched by US planes and warships. International
media carried photographs of the ship along with accounts of its alleged
cargo. On reaching the Strait of Hormuz at the entrance to the Gulf, the ship
dropped anchor and waited. It began running low on water and food, and
conditions for the crew deteriorated. These hardships and US military sur-
veillance of the Yinhe, along with accounts of China’s protestations to the
United States, were covered extensively by China’s media. Eventually, an
agreement was reached in which the Yinhe entered a Saudi Arabian port for
a thorough inspection by Saudi officials under close watch by US and PRC
officials. The banned chemicals were not found. China demanded a public
apology, compensation for losses suffered by the Chinese shipping company,
and a guarantee against future repetitions. The US State Department merely
expressed “regrets” for the “inconveniences” suffered by the Chinese com-
pany, while asserting that the United States would continue vigorous enforce-
ment of the CWC. Two weeks into the standoff, China went public about the
episode, with Xinhua detailing the episode as American bullying, tarnishing
China’s reputation, and injuring its commerce and freedom of navigation, as
well as its relations with other countries. Once again CCP propaganda reso-
nated with public opinion. Nationalist resentment rallied around the CCP
government in the face of US bullying.^54 China’s media strongly condemned
US policies and arrogant attitudes. “This is a show of hegemonism and power
politics pure and simple,” an MFA statement said.^55 As with US opposition to
Beijing’s Olympics bid, US handling of the Yinhe was deeply resented by the
Chinese populace. The CCP’s anti-US indoctrination began to gain traction.
The crucial political logic regarding China’s internal political arrangements
was left unstated: what patriotic Chinese would embrace any ideas coming
from a hostile power that humiliates China in these ways?