Khalid Taimur Akram
The US administration's actions are a classic example of lifting a rock only to drop it on one's own feet. The United States has been trying to portray China as a threat to global peace and security, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, while delivering a speech at George Washington University in May, outlining the administration's policy toward China. Targeting China's foreign policy, Blinken tried to smear China's global image with false narratives and accusations.
CAI MENG/CHINA DAILY
However, there is much historical evidence to rip off the US' mask and revealthe truth behind its anti-China propaganda.
Over the past two decades, the US' systematic ambiguity and elite-entrenched political process have diminished its international standing. The US claims China poses the most serious long-term challenge to the world order. The assumed corollary is that the US will defend the world order and international institutions, follow international law and principles, abide by global agreements, and help maintain global peace and security while protecting the rights of individuals and sovereign states. That is ironic given the US' own policies and flawed democratic structure.
The US has frequently violated international order and interfered in the internal affairs of other countries. And it is sitting on a mountain of failed international policies and misadventures.
In contrast, the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative proposed by President Xi Jinping are a promising response to help the world recover from the recent setbacks, including the COVID-19 pandemic, and achieve the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The two initiatives, which have received a positive response from the international community, will also help reform the global governance system, making it fairer and more equitable.
The world still remembers how Western countries, including the US, colonized or controlled Asian, African and Latin American countries and plundered their resources. The imprints of their barbaric acts and tyranny are still visible. As such, the US' false cover of democracy cannot last long if it continues to pursue its vicious agenda of subjugating other countries.
Countries trust China more than the US, for they believe China can bring nations closer, as it has already introduced many innovative initiatives and projects for global development and shared prosperity, while the US follows the path of negative propaganda against other countries, especially China.
The US is a self-proclaimed pioneer of a robust democratic structure. But it has never followed the true spirit of democracy or believed in cooperation, an essential element of democracy. US capitalist elites are seeking a way out of the crisis their misadventures have created by making China a scapegoat. But they will fail even in that endeavor owing to their polarized political system and dystopian administration.
Rooted in capitalism, the US' strategies and abhorrence for other states reflect its dysfunctional system and Cold War mentality. Policies based on so-called US-style democratic principles have failed to unite countries to deal with common challenges. Only China has been sincerely trying to enhance global cooperation, as was evident at the height of the pandemic when it supplied medicines, including vaccines, and medical equipment to many countries across the world.
Constant efforts and new proposals for economic cooperation and joint collaboration have made President Xi one of the world's most visionary leaders. Thus, his popularity and China's global outreach cannot be diminished by US belligerence and rhetoric.
China follows a people-centered philosophy, and has launched robust initiatives and projects to achieve common prosperity, uphold peace and justice, and promote sustainable development. Over the last decade, despite the changes in the world order, China has emerged as a leader in uniting countries to achieve common goals. And its people-centered approach has enabled it to remove all obstacles and move forward.
China's actions are rooted in its history, culture and traditional values, and democratic values along with the implementation of grand projects manifest China's rise. Democracy is a shared value, not something which can be owned by one state alone. There is no fixed model for democracy. And the US cannot lay claim to be most virtuous practitioner of democracy.
The US will certainly face opposition globally for using lies and rhetoric to attack another country. And despite its fierce anti-China campaign, it will never be able to contain China's rise.
The author is executive director of Pakistan Research Center for a Community with Shared Future
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