By Janice Kortkamp
GUEST EDITORIAL
China of course hasn’t been shredding one country after another in endless wars sold with pure lies like the US war machine has. Reports usually say at least a million people, but in reality many millions are dead now because of US wars and interventions just in the past 20 years. Tens of millions have been displaced from their homes. Economies and infrastructures of several countries have been laid waste. Trillions have been spent and trillions more are unaccounted for by the Pentagon. Thousands of Americans have been killed in these conflicts with thousands more suffering from PTSD, drug and alcohol abuse and addictions, unemployment, homelessness, while suicides among veterans and active serving are far above even the horrific civilian rates.
Denouncing the sanctimonious gangster state. This is a sociopathic global regime managed through stunning hypocrisy.
Here’s a basic summary of the situation as I’ve seen it: If you were the leader of a country, who would you prefer to deal with? Global Power A that hands you a business deal and says, “We think this is a good deal but it’s up to you to take it or leave it.” Or Global Power B that says, “Here’s our deal – if you don’t take it we might decide to kill you (either politically or physically), ruin your economy, and take over your country.” China has been Global Power A and the US has been Global Power B - and America’s deals typically also involve demands like being allowed to establish a military base, voting with the US on UN resolutions, and going along with US policies in (or against) other countries their region. John Perkins’ “Confessions of an Economic Hitman” is essential reading on America’s mafia-like operations around the globe.
I’ve spent time with people involved in development, industry, and politics in the Middle East as well as Central and South America, Caribbean, Africa, and Southeast Asia as part of my research and I’ve always asked them this question, “Which country’s government do you prefer to deal with?” The answer, 100% of the time, has been China. At first, years ago, it surprised me but no more.
It’s important to note that this is about which government to deal with, not people. In general I’ve gotten the impression that most favor working with European and American business/industrial people.
“It’s total rubbish!” He exclaimed. “China and Russia both are building up their middle classes while we’re destroying our own,” and went on to describe how the US was behaving stupidly, recklessly, viciously and shortsightedly around the world while both China and Russia had become the rational players in the global economic/diplomatic game to which I couldn’t agree more.
Left leaning and socialist friends/analysts I follow are saying the same. Ajamu Baraka is an American political activist and an Associate fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies. He is a former Green Party nominee for Vice President of the United States in the 2016 election, and currently serves as the national organizer and spokesperson for the Black Alliance for Peace. In his article for Global Times, “No to the new cold war with China: an African American perspective,” he wrote about the necessity to oppose the US imperialist aggression against China calling it, “an existential threat to all of humanity.” To which I couldn’t agree more.
I’ve seen how US government policies have been driving one country after another into China’s arms. Sanctions [akin to a medieval siege], America’s now favorite way of punishing entire populations into starvation and submission, are one way it happens. Because the US doesn’t just put economic sanctions on a country it’s targeting for regime change – it strong arms all other countries to hold to the sanctions as well. Like a Mafioso godfather thug, the US threatens any and all countries wanting to do business in, invest in, or send assistance to sanctioned countries … with sanctions. So, say if a country wants to participate in trade or investment with Syria – the US threatens them with getting cut off from the global economy for their own products and financial dealings. It’s a brutal, murderous racket.
Now China has the economic clout and strength enough to defy US sanctions. Countries that have been cut off by the US for importing and exporting goods and making financial transactions have found a savior in China.
Here’s a specific example. Before the US and allies terrorist proxy regime change attempt war against Syria began, Syria was investing heavily into American and European medical technology/equipment. Equipment like MRI and CAT scan machines need replacement parts and supplies which they were cut off from getting from the West because of the sanctions. So China steps in and provides the channels for them to get what they need to operate the critical, lifesaving machines.
Another example. China’s Belt and Road project - a global, modern version of the old Silk Road trading routes - is viewed by many developing countries as a hopeful economic means to increase prosperity. Countries wanting to be a part of the Belt and Road though are also threatened by the US with punishment for entering into these agreements with China.
I’ve heard Americans screeching about how the Chinese government led by the Communist Party is "forcing" other countries to be like them and become communist systems. I’ve found no evidence of this being true while there is constant and plentiful evidence of the United States forcing other nations to follow US [capitalist] dictates on their own domestic and foreign policies often under threat of outright destruction should they not obey.
It’s not all a bouquet of roses when dealing with the Chinese government. The complaint I’ve heard most is how they use almost all their own skilled labor, engineers and managers for the big projects when governments would usually prefer their own people to be included at the higher levels.
This is why it’s important to change the terminology in this situation. Were the United States to act rationally and honorably; work towards mutually respectful and beneficial relations with the nations of the world; if we were to think generationally/long term; if we would stop putting the priority on responding using the big stick of the military empire and instead focused on nuanced, ethical diplomatic and trade relations … the world would be far more stable, prosperous, and safe for people to live out their lives.
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