By Zhong Sheng
“China is doing very badly.” That was the remark made by some U.S. politicians as China’s GDP grew 6.3 percent year on year in the first half of 2019. China’s economy maintained stability while making steady progress, but they just turned a blind eye to the medium-high growth rate.
Positively responding to U.S. concerns, China has implemented strict management and control of fentanyl-related substances. However, some U.S. politicians slandered China as the main source of such substances in the U.S. and blamed China for the fentanyl abuse in their country.
Following the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, China and the Association Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries actively advanced the consultations on the Code of Conduct (COC) in the South China Sea and finished the first reading of the single draft negotiating text of the COC ahead of schedule.
Nonetheless, some Americans drove a wedge between China and ASEAN countries, alleging that “China is blocking development in the South China Sea through coercive means,” and “China’s coercive behaviors to its Southeast Asian neighbors threaten regional peace and stability.”
However, they neglected the fact that the international community is sharp-eyed, and their ticks to stir up troubles over China would neither cover up the facts nor distort the truth.
In disguise of the so-called “America first” strategy, some U.S. officials arbitrarily escalated the economic and trade friction with China by fabricating stories that the U.S. is “losing” and China steals intellectual property and forces technology transfers.
This will only make more and more U.S. companies and consumers fall into the victims and put global economy at risk.
By hyping up the so-called “China threat”, these American politicians alleged that China poses threat to the U.S. and developing countries, and even ridiculously claimed that China’s foreign aid is a “debt trap.”
Unsurprisingly, such malicious and false accusations received public criticism from global state leaders, as well as insightful Americans who have issued open letters to call for a stop of taking China as an enemy.
History has long proved that in the face of competition during development, to smear and suppress others is never a correct approach, and countries must solve their own problems and enhance their own strength, as a country must be able to ensure economic growth, uphold justice and have an open mind for win-win cooperation.
“The Chinese are a proud people with a long history, and the accusations, provocations, threats and disrespect being directed their way are having a predictable effect. What kind of shining example does America set by actively seeking to thwart the progress of one-fifth of humanity?”
This question was raised by Susan Thornto, former U.S. Acting Assistant Secretary of State, in an article published on Bloomberg. What she said voiced the grievances of the U.S. society and reflected the American public’s anxiety about the damage to the U.S. international image.
Respecting facts and being responsible for one’s words and practices are fundamental morality and norms guiding international relations. If a country gives up such bottom line, international morality and justice will be completely destroyed.
A Chinese saying goes that one should not say or do anything that goes against public morality. China has respected such a code of conduct since ancient times, thus has the very confidence in not yielding to provocation of those who stir up troubles, just as another proverb goes, “an empty sack cannot stand upright.”
We suggest that the U.S. politicians not overestimate their ability to make troubles, or indulge in the illusion of manipulating the world at their own will. They should know that justice delayed is never justice denied.
(Zhong Sheng is a pen name often used by People’s Daily to express its views on foreign policy)
