On Monday, China’s People’s Daily newspaper published an article, “Firmly Grasp the Correct Direction of the Development of Sino-US Relations.” Written by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Yucheng, it evinces Beijing’s deep discomfort with U.S. policy toward it.

The first takeaway is that Le’s name is attached to the article. Only the fifth-highest-ranking Chinese foreign policy official, Le sits under President Xi Jinping, Central Foreign Affairs Commission chief Yang Jiechi, Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Foreign Affairs Ministry Party Secretary Qi Yu. Putting Le’s name atop the article thus shows China’s continued hypersensitivity at being perceived as weak. Le’s attachment allows Beijing to send a message to Washington, but in a way that offers a pretense against the Standing Committee being overly concerned by the state of U.S. relations.