How China is using the pandemic crisis for a harder diplomatic stance. (Not a vilifying article !)
The covid-19 pandemic, as we all know, is highly accelerating in and around the world, leaving the people with a crisis like never before. With a huge spike in the worldwide cases each day, the world is now completely clueless of what the future holds. Not to forget, aggravating mental health issues, stress and anxiety that comes along with it. While almost the whole world has come to a halt, countries like Taiwan, China, Vietnam, New Zealand, and Sweden etc are back to their regular life now. While most of these countries pose as an inspiration for their incredible leadership skills, a well planned steps by the government and also co-operative citizens, China stands out for reasons even more than that. Being one of the first countries to revive itself out of the crisis, apart from being a role model to other nations, it is also using this time to put up a firm diplomatic stance amongst other nations. Based on all the events that happened during this period of time, I am listing the chronological events that show their smart/power move. However, this article is not entirely focused to promote enmity or negativity, which has highly increased towards the Asian community, but rather point out my observations from the news as it is.
• China reports zero new cases as of March 19.
• Australia calls for independent investigation into the spread of the virus. China retaliates by imposing taxes on Australian imports.
• China rejects investigation into origin of the disease by WHO.
• China starts increasing prices of testing kits supplied to other countries. Several countries deny kits as a lot of those were reported to be ‘not in working condition’.
• China moves forward with ‘National Security Law’ for Hong Kong amidst the pandemic; warns Taiwan against supporting protestors.
• Japanese Coast Guard reports appearance of four Chinese vessels; said they were being spotted regularly since April 14.
• China , Malaysia continue to be in the standoff for weeks after a Malaysian authorized ship reportedly saw Chinese vessels near their zone.
• Indonesia faces similar treatment. Their foreign minister wrote to UN showing their objection against china trying to claim their territories on the grounds of “so called historic rights”.
• China and Vietnam fight over oil exploration in the south China sea. Two Chinese ships said to have attacked a Vietnamese fishing boat
• Chinese fighter intrude Taiwan territory; It already claims Taiwan is “not a separate country”.
• Philippines opposes china’s sea claim; says Chinese vessels aimed for the weapons control radar of their navy ship.
• Nepal starts re-drawing its map, including Indian territories, presumably as a result of pressure from china; Nepal forces start bombarding Uttarakhand villages with anti-India songs; Firing at the border leaves one soldier dead.
• Standoff with India begins as Beijing sends more troops to Sikkim-china (Tibet Autonomous Region) border.
• Meanwhile 6000 more soldiers send to borders in eastern Ladakh, Galwan valley and Pangong lake. India also moves its troops closer to the line of actual control.
• Tensions begin with escalating fights and clash between soldiers of both nations. Chinese military helicopters seen flying close to LAC.
• China orders armed forces to strengthen forces and be ready for war.
• Standoff worsens to a violent confrontation, leaving around 20 Indian soldiers dead and several injured.
• China refuses to reveal number of casualties.
• Followed by a day after the India-china dispute, china reaches out to Bangladesh by offering to waive off 97% tariff on goods that are being traded with china.
• Australia claims its government and private sector has been under a sustained cyber-attack.
While these continuous incidents will definitely paint a negative picture, it will be ignorant of us of the world history if we think that China is the only bully. China is doing what a second world country will do; to gradually increase their power so as to stand up against the west and its allies. China is doing it smartly by border management and stepping up their infrastructure, which according to Former Indian ambassador to Beijing and Washington D.C. Nirupama Rao, is a key role in the defense of the country. This aggression of china in the 21st century is nothing compared to the same, sometimes even worse behavior carried by the west. Western countries have invaded several nations in the past under the act of restoring “freedom” and “democracy” and still continue to do so by building military bases in almost every other nation. In simple words, the US and its allies like being the world’s police while their western media and soft image have brainwashed people into forgetting their dark side and develop a favorable image of them when their own countries have a lot of explaining to do in terms of issues like immigration crisis and system racism and furthermore . China, on the other side is not pretending to be anything and thus, using a direct attack. These subsequent attacks on its neighbors clearly shows that more than rivalry, it is even more determined in becoming Asia’s leading superpower, which I am assuming it already is. China can still become the largest superpower by expanding its friendship and support instead of territory during these difficult times and developing its relations with allies. So instead of aggressive intent and fight backs, diplomacy is the key.
