By Global Times Published: Apr 05, 2023
Despite headwinds on Europe's China policy, such as "reducing dependence on China" rhetoric, China and the EU are also seeking opportunities for further cooperation, otherwise we would not have seen the intensive recent visits by European leaders to China. Macron and Von der Leyen's visit comes on the heels of Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez's visit to China, and they are likely to be followed by German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in mid-April.
It appears Xi’s 12 point peace plan was all he needed to liberate European capitalist. The rush to peace talks with Xi has culminated in trade agreements even for Russia and Saudi Arabia. China has definitely won this counteroffensive to Western containment. One-by-one, world leaders are lining up to sign away the only leverage they have with China, trade dollars. And what are they getting for it, business as usual and a promise to open-up.
China’s propaganda articles are very easy to access from anywhere in the world, in order to find the US position on the need to contain China I had to find a copy of Blinken’s speech:
Speech
Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State
The George Washington University
Washington, D.C. May 26, 2022
… we’ve put diplomacy back at the center of American foreign policy, to help us realize the future that Americans and people around the world seek – one where technology is used to lift people up, not suppress them; where trade and commerce support workers, raise incomes, create opportunity; where universal human rights are respected; countries are secure from coercion and aggression, and people, ideas, goods, and capital move freely; and where nations can both forge their own paths and work together effectively in common cause.
Its founding documents include the UN Charter and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which enshrined concepts like self-determination, sovereignty, the peaceful settlement of disputes. These are not Western constructs. They are reflections of the world’s shared aspirations.
Russian President Vladimir Putin poses a clear and present threat. In attacking Ukraine three months ago, he also attacked the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity, enshrined in the UN Charter, to protect all countries from being conquered or coerced. That’s why so many countries have united to oppose this aggression because they see it as a direct assault on the foundation of their own peace and security.
Now, China is a global power with extraordinary reach, influence, and ambition. It’s the second largest economy, with world-class cities and public transportation networks. It’s home to some of the world’s largest tech companies and it seeks to dominate the technologies and industries of the future. It’s rapidly modernized its military and intends to become a top tier fighting force with global reach. And it has announced its ambition to create a sphere of influence in the Indo-Pacific and to become the world’s leading power.
Xi’s message is short, widely available, and saturates the echo-sphere daily. Europe is not the only trading block being taken in by this promise of wealth and security. Central Asia, Africa, the Middle East and South America are lining up and signing on too. A formal speech from May 2022 is not effective against the all out assault China has unleashed against the US, and I am concerned Ukraine will be the one to pay the price.