China's final warning

"China's final warning" (Russian: Последнее китайское предупреждение) is a Russian proverb that originated in the former Soviet Union, to refer to a warning that carries no real consequences.

Origin

Relations between the People's Republic of China and the United States of America during the 1950s and 1960s were strained due to the Taiwan Strait issues. American military fighter jets regularly patrolled the Taiwan Strait, which led to formal protests being regularly lodged by the Chinese Communist Party in the form of a "final warning", for their fighter manoeuvres in the strait. However, no real consequences were given for ignoring the "final warnings".

The People's Republic of China released their first "final warning" to the United States for their reconnaissance flights on 7 September 1958, during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis. At the time, the United States considered the Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of China, and conducted reconnaissance flights in waters controlled by the People's Republic of China. China would then record such incidents, and issue a "final warning" through diplomatic channels for each incident that occurred. More than 900 Chinese "final warnings" had been issued by the end of 1964.

Modern usage

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the proverb has remained a common metaphorical catchphrase within the post-Soviet countries. The term is also widely used in Estonia.

See also

• Hurting the feelings of the Chinese people
• Paper tiger
• The Boy Who Cried Wolf
• Ultimatum