China has surpassed the needed threshold and can protect its territorial integrity

by Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan
The Saker Blog

“Anyone attempting to split China in any part of the country will end with a crushed body and shattered bones”, Chinese President Xi Jinping was quoted as saying during his meeting with Nepali Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli, during his visit to Nepal on 13 October 2019.

It is a very serious statement by a powerful President of China, who holds political, executive and military powers, a rising superpower of the world. Those who know President Xi’s nature and personality can understand that he is a person of high character and usually avoids such strong statements. Overall, Chinese are more mature and rational in approach and are not in a habit of boasting or giving extreme statements. China, a civilization of several thousand years of long history, has passed many rise and fall cycles. Varied experiences have taught the Chinese many bitter lessons too. This blessing in disguise has made the Chinese nation even wiser and more united. Generally speaking, the Chinese are more tolerant, flexible and accommodating.

Chinese and Indian guards at the border during the "Doklam standoff". Common sense fortunately prevailed.

China is following its policy of “Peace and Development” and has shown flexibility on many occasions like the 2017 Doklam incident ("the Doklam standoff") when Chinese and Indian armies came face to face but China played diplomacy and averted a war, which saved both nations from a big disaster. In the trade war between China and the US, China has observed patience a lot and tried its best to avoid any tension, but finally, has been left with no option except reciprocating as circumstances advise.

China is not playing aggressive policy on all international issues, whether it was the Iraq war, or Libya war or the Syrian crisis, or the Afghan issue. China is showing a great deal of tolerance and trying to resolve all differences through peaceful dialogue according to the UN charter.

China being an emerging geopolitical power, has an interest in a stable, and peaceful world. China is promoting diplomacy, understanding, cultural integration, free and fair trade, globalization and prosperity. China is keen on maintaining a stable and safe world order.

But it has been noticed that some mischievous nations are trying to destabilize China and instigate separatist movements using agitation and unrest. There is evidence of foreign hands in the case of Hong Kong unrest and the Xinjiang issue. Supplying arms to Taiwan and supporting the Independence of Taiwan is also a challenge to the “One China” policy.

Weaponising grievances, real or imagined
The British practiced the “Divide and Rule” policy for their colonization grip during the last two centuries. The Americans followed with a similar approach and penetrated into a country under the umbrella of friendship, diplomacy, democracy, freedom of expression, human rights, aid and development, etc., but at the same time identified the disgruntled or destitute people in the society. They cultivated them and supported them, even helped them financially and once matured and trained, exploited them against their own state. The worst thing is they practice this exercise with their own friends. “When you have American Friends, you may not need Enemies” goes the wise proverb. When they are your apparent friends, simultaneously, they may be harming you.

Media war, trade war, visa sanctions, blacklisting Chinese companies, etc., are all means of hybrid war launched against China. China is fully aware of all such threats and still not openly retaliating, due to its age-old wisdom and deep strategy. China has set its goals of development and wanted to achieve its targets peacefully. China does not want any confrontation with any nation on any issue until it reaches the final destination pre-set by its “China Dream”.

On 24 October 2019, Vice President Mike Pence delivered remarks at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars about the future of the U.S. relationship with China as both countries work to resolve their outstanding differences over trade. While a deal is expected and some understanding has been reached already, such sentiments, as expressed by the US Vice President seem inappropriate, especially at this critical moment, when negotiations are underway to improve US-China trade relations. While the world has high expectations from the ongoing negotiations, negative and insulting remarks may harm talks. (Pence has apparently been specialising in this kind of errand. He seems to relish the opportunity to display a great deal of jingoistic exceptionalism.—Ed)

China is a nation of several minorities with the majority of Han nationality. All minorities, along with the majority Han, have been living in harmony  for ages and respect each other and respect each other’s culture, traditions, habits, religion, ideology, and lifestyle. Even before the liberation of China in 1949. The Chinese constitution provides full protection of its minorities. Even during cultural revolutions, minorities were respected to a great extent.

The Chinese system of governance is very robust and comprehensive. It has its own approach to a robust democracy, which might be very different from Western-Style democracy. The Chinese public trusts its leadership and strengthen their hands, while Chinese leadership protects the public and works hard for their welfare. The Chinese people and government are on the same page, there is no deficiency of trust on either side. China can resolve its domestic issues. Although, China can opt to use of force to settle minor issues, it always hesitates to use force and prefers to observe restraint and patience. On the issue of Hong Kong, China has shown maximum flexibility and it is hoped that the residents of Hong Kong will son realize this and restore restore the city's normal routine life.  Beijing has met its original and basic demand of extradition already.

China believes in the basic principles set by the United Nations Charter and abides by them strictly. That is inter alia noninterference in other country’s domestic affairs. In the history of modern China since 1949, China never indulged in meddling in the domestic issues of any other nation. China maintains its relations with all nations on the basis of equality, mutual respect, mutual interests and non-interference toward each other's domestic affairs. And expects other nations will follow a similar policy of non-interference into Chinese affairs. China is a sovereign state and possesses the capacity to handle all its issues.

China has developed in all dimensions, including economy, S&T, defense, etc., to a stage where no other country can challenge it. China has surpassed the threshold of foreign conspiracies. China can face any challenge posed to its sovereignty conveniently.

The latest statement by China is based on its preparedness to face any challenge. China is an important global power and is playing a role to maintain peace and stability in the region and worldwide. China’s role in the multipolar world is instrumental. China has modernized its armed forces on similar lines of any advanced country in the world. The Chinese Armed Forces are smart and equipped with the latest hi-tech weaponry systems. The use of high-tech and advanced technologies has made Chinese defense unique and unbeatable. China enjoys and maintains supremacy in many aspects of the defense sector too.

Although China does not have any aggressive motives it has kept itself ready to face any threat, from any country, any moment and in any form. Those who expect to compete with China, contain China, or curtail China, will not succeed. They are living in a “fool’s paradise”. Those days have gone, when China accepted the supremacy of some other countries. Now China is an equal partner in maintaining the World Order and major stakeholders on all fronts.

China is the second-largest economy and growing at a fast pace. As stated, China’s development is in all dimensions and very much sustainable. Those who used to say the Chinese Economy was a “Bubble Economy” were mistaken and proved wrong. The world has witnessed Chinese sustainable developments. The Chinese economy is based on its abundance of natural resources and a huge workforce. Chinese mineral sector and Agriculture are the basis of Chinese Industrialization. The Chinese workforce is competitive and well trained. The efficient and qualified human resources, plus indigenous raw material have made China more competitive. No other country can compete in China in the manufacturing sector. Chinese achievements in education, science, technology, and innovation, have made China enter the hi-tech sector, too.

I think the way forward is only to cooperate with China and join the rise of China and maybe become the beneficiary of China’s rise. China believes in Peace and promotes peace. Those nations who accept China’s rise and become a partner in its course of development will be beneficiaries too. Those who miss the train may repent later.

Especially, BRI is a mega initiative of China for promoting Connectivity, Infrastructure, People to People Contact, Trade, Business, Culture and Understandings among various nations, and ultimately promoting World Peace, Stability and Prosperity. Those who understand China, are joining BRI and some of the countries are already enjoying the fruits of BRI. Pakistan is the biggest beneficiary of BRI initiatives and managing the Flagship project of “China-Pakistan Economic Corridor” (CPEC). Those who do not understand China, or are jealous of China’s achievements and development and are trying to compete with China or trying to counter China, or curtail China, or contain China, are mistaken and will be proved wrong. China has already crossed that threshold and emerged a geopolitical power already. The world must realize the Chinese potential and recognize the Chinese role in Global “Peace, Stability and Prosperity”.  The Chinese President’s remarks in Nepal to protect its territorial integrity should be taken seriously. It is not a tweet message, which can be U-turned. It is a message from a serious, mature and strong leader.