THE GUARDIAN – Simon Tisdall – Sun 25 Jul 2021 06.30 BST
Editor’s note: Friends, I am not normally alarmist or a predicter of doom, but this article in ‘the Guardian’ (https://www.theguardian.com/world/commentisfree/2021/jul/25/an-explosion-is-coming-biden-races-to-unite-allies-against-china) fills me with sadness. Coming from the premise that the Nixon era was one of engagement, the West has now revealed it has no wish to peacefully share the world with equals and bring all countries into prosperity and peace.
Under Biden, China and friends’ worst fears appear to be coming true, that rather than diplomacy and dialogue, the West is prepared to bring all to the brink of war, in order that China kowtow to their will. This is never acceptable. China was subjugated once upon a time by colonialists of all sorts, after being riven internally for centuries by strife. Under a united China, the West has now an equal in economic strength and value, as well as being a country which will not be intimidated. We must redouble our efforts to tell the truth about China and what initiatives such as the OBOR really mean for world development and unity. We must show that China is not a threat and indeed is not for world domination like other countries. Finally, we should show China cares for emerging nations and those who have less, unlike countries which wish to continue their privileged, racist and domineering ways.
I am concerned the West is filling the airwaves with lies, half-truths and twisted rhetoric, produced to inflame racist, anti-China actions. My country Austraila is a great example of how easily a whole country can be manipulated to hate an enemy created for the convenience of those wielding power and influence.
Our international 1984 has arrived. Just be aware of the dangers lurking in our midst and be wary! Anthony LEONG, Secretary General, Pacific China Friendship Association
US president is being much tougher than expected on Beijing, but a lack of solidarity will undermine his policy’s success
It’s generally accepted in Washington that once-buoyant hopes for the emergence of a free, democratic China, initially sparked by Richard Nixon’s groundbreaking 1972 visit, have sunk without trace. President Xi Jinping’s regime is now described as a “systemic rival”, “strategic competitor” or outright “threat”. The EU, Nato, the UK, and regional allies broadly agree: the era of engagement is over.
What’s lacking is agreement over what comes next. The hole where common policy and joint action should be gapes ever more dangerously amid almost daily collisions on multiple fronts with Xi’s aggressive, authoritarian one-party state. If it’s not about human rights abuses, cyberhacking, or trade, it’s Taiwan, visas, spying, maritime disputes, the Indian border, or alleged hostage-taking.
READ FULL ARTICLE HERE : THE GUARDIAN
