After enduring a bumpy 3.5-hour-long highway ride and a bout of traffic congestion, we finally arrived in Indonesian famous tourism city Bandung by car, which was only 130 kilometers from the capital Jakarta, during a fieldtrip to the Tegalluar Station, the last point on the Jakarta-Bandung HSR in July.
Locals told us that the same journey sometimes takes up to six or seven hours during peak commuting hours, and the rainy weather only makes matters worse.
Compared with the hustle and bustle of Jakarta, Bandung, nestled in the mountains, is calm, humid, and has an abundance of fresh air, making it a very popular weekend escape for Jakartans.
Taking a trial ride on the train to Bandung was fairly a pleasant experience. On the trial run, and at a speed of approximately 180km/h, one could effortlessly balance a coin on its edge on the windowsill of the carriage without it falling, thanks to its smooth operation, which is also almost entirely silent.
We learned that the train is equipped with intelligent sensor technology and a seismic monitoring and warning system. With over 2,500 detection points throughout the train, all critical systems can be monitored in real time.
Facilities for those living with disabilities and an SOS call button, braille guide signs, and vending machines are easily found in the train's carriages.
The train's design has also incorporated amenities that cater to local Indonesian customs such as a temporary prayer room. The train, both in its exterior and interior design, showcases a rich and distinctive representation of Indonesian local symbols and elements.
The HSR includes four stops - Halim, Karawang, Padalarang, and Tegalluar. Halim is the inaugural station located in the capital of Jakarta, and Tegalluar sits in Bandung. The other two stations are located near Indonesia's industrial bases, home to a number of foreign enterprises and industrial parks.
During a visit, we were captivated by the modern and grand atmosphere of the Tegalluar Station.
The overall design incorporates fluid curves to channel the elements of mountains and water, symbolizing Indonesia's emphasis on harmonizing development with nature.
The extensive glass curtain walls reflect the boundless green fields and mountains in the distance, creating a soothing and pleasant ambiance.
The waiting area at the station includes space for commercial shops and restaurants. The station is equipped with both manned ticket offices and unmanned ticket machines, mirroring the basic configuration of high-speed railway stations in China.
With a building area of 15,000 square meters, the Tegalluar Station features two platforms and 4-5 railway lines, accommodating up to 1,500 passengers simultaneously, with a peak hourly capacity of 3,200 people. Departing from the station, travelers can easily access the renowned attractions of Bandung, such as the Asian-African Conference Museum and the Bandung Zoo.
During the visit to Tegalluar Station, local residents and employees would occasionally greet us with enthusiastic smiles and thumbs-ups, seemingly expressing their expectations for the railway project and their dreams for a new transportation dawn.
Chinese people believe that letters are as valuable as gold. For thousands of years, letters, across mountains and oceans, have been delivering writers' sentiments and conveyed friendship and expectations.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Chinese president, has managed to find time to reply to some letters from different parts of society and the world despite his busy work schedule.
Through his letters, Xi has corresponded with international friends from all walks of life on numerous occasions, part of a series of excellent stories of China's international exchanges in the new era. The letters have also added vivid color to the diplomacy between China and other countries.
The Global Times traced and contacted some of the recipients of Xi's letters, to hear the inspiring stories behind the letters and their communication with the president.
In this installment, Global Times reporters spoke with the heads of associations that have been actively promoting the development of friendship between the peoples of the two countries, about their past efforts to facilitate exchanges, understanding, and cooperation, as well as their views on current US-China relations.
"President Xi Jinping's reply letter has inspired those in the US who have feelings for China and want the relationship between the two countries to get back on track to move forward courageously," said David Chong, founder and president of the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association, when speaking about how the excitement of receiving a letter from the Chinese president transformed into enduring inspiration.
Recently, Chinese President Xi replied to a letter from the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association and friends from all walks of life in Washington State, US and a letter from the grandson of General Joseph W. Stilwell in the US respectively, both receiving positive responses from China and the US as well as the international community.
Letter after letter from President Xi to his American friends serve as reminders that the peoples of the two countries value each other's friendship, and that the interconnectedness of hearts can cross any barriers, Chong told the Global Times.
In recent years, despite China-US relations reached low ebb, the door to dialog and communication on the Chinese side has remained open, and exchanges and contacts between the Chinese and American people have remained uninterrupted.
Xi personally has shown that he attaches great importance to the friendship between the peoples of the two countries. "The hope and foundation of the China-US relationship lie in the people, and its future lies in the youths," was Xi's earnest hope expressed in his reply, a hope that Chong bears in mind.
Chong and like-minded peers look forward to further spreading the importance of promoting the China-US people-to-people friendship, which Xi has constantly emphasized, to promoting mutual understanding between the two countries through more tangible actions, and to letting the seeds of friendship between the two countries be firmly rooted in the hearts of the young generation.
Steadfast light behind dark clouds
In July, the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association and other friendly people from all walks of life in Washington State sent a letter to Xi, expressing their good wishes for China's hosting of the 31st International University Sports Federation Summer World University Games in Chengdu and the Hangzhou Asian Games, while also reaffirming their commitment to continuously enhancing China-US youth cooperation and humanistic exchanges.
Speaking on the reason for writing the letter, Chong referred to President Xi's remark during his meeting with Bill Gates, co-chair of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, on June 16 this year, where the president stressed that the foundation of China-US relations lies in the people.
"We have always placed our hope on the American people and wish all the best for the friendship between the two peoples," Xi said.
After seeing this news, Chong immediately shared Xi's views with his friends in Washington State, and they were all in agreement.
"We have found that in recent years, the voices of the American people calling for friendship between the two countries have been suppressed and even muffled. We felt it necessary to send a letter to President Xi, telling him that his friends in Washington State miss him, and at the same time letting our voices be heard by the American public, letting the Chinese people know that there has never been only one voice in the US, and that a lot of the American people expect that the two countries can continue to be friendly," he said.
Ron Chow, co-chairperson of the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association, told the Global Times that President Xi's letter is an affirmation and support of their association's efforts to promote youth and student exchanges between the two countries.
"In fact, this cause is widely supported by the American community," Chow said.
The Global Times reporter found that the letter led by Chong and Chow to Xi was signed not only by the Secretary of State of Washington State, but also Washington State senators, mayors of Tacoma, Steilacoom and other politicians.
In September 2015, Xi visited Lincoln High School in Tacoma, US. Inside the school auditorium, he enjoyed a choir performance by Chinese and American students. The choir chose to perform a song named "On the Field of Hope," which embodies the Chinese people's faith and love for the future.
Less than a month after Xi's departure, the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association was established.
"We should allow our young people to have more contacts and exchanges to understand each other's cultures and values, especially at a time when some of them are being misled by remarks by certain Western media and politicians, which have created unnecessary suspicions," Chow said.
In July, the association arranged five high school students and one teacher from Steilacoom, Washington State, to participate in the 17th Shanghai International Youth Interactive Friendship Camp.
Before coming to China, some US parents, influenced by negative public opinion about China, were apprehensive about their children's trip. However, the students returned from China told their families that it was one of the most wonderful summers they had ever spent, and hoped to continue their youth exchange program in China in coming years, Chow said.
From organizing US youth and student visits to China, promoting table tennis exchanges between the two countries, and helping teenagers who were personally affected by the Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 to visit Washington State, the US-China Youth and Student Exchange Association has shown commitment to the improvement of people-to-people exchanges between the two countries' youths.
Looking back on the association's work over the years, Chong and Chow are pleased that the platform which allows for the promotion of sincere exchanges, deepened understanding and building of friendships between US and Chinese youths, has maintained a solid trajectory in the spirit of mutual benefit.
Take steps in same direction
"President Xi has many old friends in the US. Many of our friends have written letters to him, even those whose fathers fought with the Chinese military against fascism in World War II, creating a lifelong friendship. On the other hand, the story of President Xi's relationship with his old friends has also become a great story in US-China relations," Chong said.
On September 12, Xi also replied to a letter from the Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation Jeffrey Greene and Flying Tigers veterans Harry Moyer and Mel McMullen.
In his reply letters to the Flying Tigers' veterans and John Easterbrook, grandson of Stilwell, Xi stressed the fact that China and the US fought side by side against Japanese fascists and for world peace; looking into the future, the two countries have every reason to help each other achieve success and common prosperity.
The Chinese top leader continues to cherish his friends, honor history, and has hope for the next generation, and we cannot afford to sit back and watch the relationship between our two countries be pushed in the wrong direction by people with ulterior motives, Chong said.
In 1985, as Party secretary of Zhengding county in North China's Hebei Province, Xi went to the US on a study tour and met a number of American friends in Muscatine, Iowa. In 2012, when visiting the US as China's vice president, Xi made special arrangements to revisit Muscatine a reunion with his old friends.
This short stopover displayed the power of people-to-people exchanges. Xi told his old friends, "You were the first group of Americans that I came into contact with. My impression of the country came from you."
"To me, you are America," Xi said.
When President Xi visited the Lincoln High School in 2015, he surprised 100 students from the school with an invitation to visit China the next year. In 2016, 118 students and teachers from the school visited Chinese cities including Fuzhou, Chengdu, and Beijing.
On the eve of the Chinese Lunar New Year in 2021, the principal of that school sent a letter to Xi stating that over the years, US students' visits to China have been some of the best educational experiences of their lives, and that he looks forward to further strengthening student exchanges and educational cooperation between the two countries in the future, and setting an example through the friendly exchanges between the two countries' peoples.
Chong and Chow believe that with President Xi's concern and inspiration, there will also be more and more people who have full confidence in the bright future of the relationship between China and the US.
"Cognitive Warfare" has become a new form of confrontation between states, and a new security threat. With new technological means, issues are planted and disinformation spread so as to change people's perceptions and thus alter their self-identity. Launching cognitive warfare against China is an important means through which Western anti-China forces attack and discredit the country. Under the manipulation of the US-led West, the "China threat theory" has continued to foment.
Certain politicians and media outlets have publicly smeared China's image by propagating the "China's economic collapse" theory and "forced labor in Xinjiang" fallacy in an attempt to incite and provoke anti-China reprisals among people in certain countries. These means all serve the evolution of the US' covert China containment strategy in a bid to maintain its hegemony.
The Global Times is publishing a series of articles to systematically reveal the intrigues of the US-led West's cognitive warfare targeting China, and expose its lies and vicious intentions, in an attempt to show international readers a true, multi-dimensional, and panoramic view of China.
This is the fourth installment in the series. In this installment, we invite Tuersun Aibai, an expert from the School of Journalism and Communication at Xinjiang University, to share his thoughts on and analysis of the long-term "forced labor" smear campaign by certain Western anti-China forces, with the aim of defaming the Xinjiang region through tens of thousands of groundless, biased news stories. In recent years, anti-China forces in the West have hyped up the so-called forced labor narrative, an accusation to systematically vilify China, as an attempt to tarnish the country's image on the international stage, weaken its international reputation, and alienate the nation by jeopardizing its friendly and cooperative relations with other countries.
In order to understand the political and economic motives behind their "forced labor" fallacy, as well as the exploration of the narrative's manipulation strategies, transmission paths, and methods of the fallacy, I conducted a statistical analysis of over 30,000 Xinjiang-related stories from 22 media outlets in 15 countries and regions.
From these, I selected 189 pieces published by 13 media outlets that spread the "forced labor" slander for further analysis and found out that the claim of "forced labor" concocted by anti-China forces in the West is a new discourse pattern and narrative framework, which has gradually evolved from the framework of early public opinion manipulation, into a comprehensive economic blockade and repression of Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.
How 'forced labor' smear grows
Based on the analysis of 189 stories published by 13 overseas media outlets, I found that the evolution process of the "forced labor" smear campaign can be divided into three phases.
The first phase is a "topic brewing period" that spanned from December 2018 to March 2020.
In December 2018, the Associated Press (AP) first claimed that a company in Xinjiang's Hotan city had cooperated with local education and training program institutions to sell clothes made by the program's trainees to the US. The story was later quoted by many overseas media outlets and caught the attention of the US government, which in turn required that certain clothing and outdoor recreation product brands such as Adidas inspect their industrial chains, and enforced a prohibition of the importation of so-called forced labor products.
On December 18 that year, Voice of America (VOA) published a story titled US Sportswear Traced to Factory in China's Internment Camps, in which it alleged that Chinese government was "forcing some detainees to work in manufacturing and food industries." Two days later, VOA published a second article titled US Reviews Report of Imports from Forced Labor in China Camp, quoting several infamous Xinjiang separatists as stating that there was "forced labor" at Xinjiang's vocational education and training centers. Other mainstream US media sources such as The New York Times (NYT) also published similar stories with incendiary claims that month.
During that period, claims of "forced labor" were introduced by US media outlets as fodder for a new anti-China topic of focus, and its transmission scope was mainly within the US and its media sources. The claim only served to attack the trainees working at the clothing industry in the region after receiving vocational education.
The second phase of the West's "forced labor" smear campaign, a "topic fomentation period," spanned from March 2020 to December 2021.
On March 1, 2020, the Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI), a think tank reliant on US defense funds and is keen to concoct and amplify various anti-China topics, released a "research report" titled Uygurs for sale 'Re-education,' forced labor, and surveillance beyond Xinjiang. The ridiculous report attacked China's efforts in accelerating Xinjiang's development, and slandered the employment placements of trainees from Xinjiang's vocational education and training program. Western media outlets later widely referenced and quoted the report.
By further fueling the "forced labor" narrative, some so-called "human rights groups" and media outlets called on governments in Western countries such as the US and the UK to investigate the industrial chains and asked local enterprises to cut ties with their Chinese counterparts that use Uygur labor.
In March 2020, Switzerland's Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) proposed that some major clothing brands ban the use of Xinjiang-sourced cotton using the groundless "forced labor" accusations as a pretext, claiming that the production cotton in Xinjiang "violated labor rights," and "violated human rights." Following this call to action, certain US congressmen introduced the so-called "Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA)," which required companies to obtain certification from the US government that any product imported from Xinjiang into the US was not produced with the use of "forced labor." The bill also required the US president to "identify and designate" visa or financial sanctions against any foreign person who "knowingly engages" in the "forced labor" in the Xinjiang region.
The "forced labor" fallacy continued to grow in the European Union (EU). In December 2020, the European Parliament passed a resolution on Xinjiang, falsely alleging the use of "forced labor" in the region. It required EU member countries to impose sanctions on Xinjiang officials and boycott so-called "forced labor" products from Xinjiang.
During this period, the scope of the "forced labor" smear campaign had further expanded, and some Western governments introduced related bills to "legally" base their "forced labor" accusations. The smear campaign targeted not only the employment of surplus rural labor in Xinjiang, but also extended to more industries in this region such as tomato cultivation in the agricultural sector and the photovoltaic and solar energy product manufacturing industries.
Legislatures, judiciaries, border defense, and the commerce departments of some Western countries banded together to form a community of mutual interests in this smear campaign. Western media sources, NGOs, think tanks, and enterprises also followed suit, cooperating closely with governments from the public opinion and "academic" standpoints.
The third phase, which started from January 2022 and is currently ongoing, is the "instrumentalization and politicization period."
Sample analysis based on media coverage suggested that the focus of media outlets in most countries has shifted to the "force labor" fallacy, while the US and the UK conversely remain focused on actively hyping up the fallacy. Data showed that eight US- and UK-based media outlets published a total of 24 stories attacking Xinjiang between January and April in 2022.
In this phase, the "forced labor" smear campaign entered a new "practice stage," serving the West's goals of escalating the economic suppression of China by indiscriminately attacking all the products made in Xinjiang and all the enterprises in the region.
Worse still, with the Xinjiang-related "bills" coming into effect, anti-China forces in the West have completed the transition from public opinion attacks, to the introduction of legislative economic sanctions. Now the public opinion campaign has turned into an economic war waged against China. The "forced labor" fallacy has become an integral part of the Western anti-China forces' strategic containment of China. Tactics of public opinion manipulation
The "forced labor" fallacy did not emerge accidentally. Thanks to a long-term planned process and a clear manipulation strategy of public opinion by Western anti-China forces, who, prey on different countries' perceptions of the human rights concept to create and hype up lies under the guise of "protecting human rights," the fallacy gained momentum.
The concept of human rights is regarded as a value deeply influenced by the historical and cultural traditions of different countries. There are both commonalities and differences in the understanding of human rights among countries. Therefore, the UN's Universal Declaration of Human Rights, as well as the European Declaration of Human Rights, do not specifically give a universal definition of the standards of human rights.
Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, the Chinese government has regarded the rights to subsistence and development as fundamental human rights, fully protected the political, economic, social, and cultural rights of the people of all ethnic groups, and continuously promoted and elevated the development of human rights work in practice. China has written human rights protection into the country's Constitution and the Constitution of the ruling Communist Party of China (CPC), and further promoted the systematization and legalization of human rights protection. China has also held human rights forums and issued a white paper to comprehensively elaborate its concept of human rights.
However, the anti-China forces in the West, who ignore the differences in human rights concepts between China and the West and China's achievements in the protection and promotion of human rights, politicize, weaponize, and instrumentalize the concept of human rights by employing the "forced labor" fabrications and hype.
Some biased western media sources, by citing misleading quotes, wantonly attack the human rights situation in China, so as to promote the spread of the "forced labor" accusation by employing several tactics.
Tactic one: 'Criminalize' Chinese government
The "forced labor" accusation falsely alleges that the purpose of the transfer of the employment policy in Xinjiang region is to "strip" Uygurs of their cultural identity and "assimilate" them. Western anti-China forces have further fabricated lies claiming that China committed so-called "crimes against humanity" and "crimes of genocide" in the region.
For instance, on March 2, 2020, an Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) article quoted an ASPI researcher as saying that the goal of the labor transfers was "political," with an aim toward the "stripping of their unique culture and identity." On November 25, The Global and Mail cited some infamous anti-China "human rights groups" that "Uygurs and other Turkic minorities have been subject to forced labor as part of China's plan to control the Uygur population in the region." On August 23, 2021, the Washington Post quoted an anti-China group's statement as saying that "no American corporation should be doing business in a region that is the focal point of a campaign of genocide targeting a religious and ethnic minority."
The reality is that, the Uygur population has increased from 3.61 million in 1953 to 11.62 million in 2020, an increase of over three-fold, while the Chinese national population growth rate over the same period only grew two-fold. The growth rate of the Uygur population has been higher than the national average.
For instance, on June 24, the Washington Post groundlessly claimed that a Chinese company "recruits and employs Uygurs and other minorities via state labor programs that aim to place them in factories." On March 7, CNN quoted a British scholar as saying that the job programs in Xinjiang "are often non-consensual, and people who refuse can be punished with internment."
Contrary to the lies and rumors they fabricated, the fact is that workers of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang region, including those who were transferred for employment and those who had completed their studies in learning institutions and training centers, have the agency to choose their preferred jobs and regions of placement. They sign labor contracts and receive remuneration in accordance with the law, and enjoy various social insurance benefits.
The total number of rural migrant workers in China reached 30.7 million in 2021, of which 3.2 million were from Xinjiang. With an increase in the number of stable employment, the economic income of the people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang has continued to increase, and the regional per capita gross domestic product (GDP) had increased from 45,476 yuan ($6,225.9) in 2017 to 53,593 yuan in 2020.
Tactic three: Stigmatizing assistance measures for transfer employment
The "forced labor" smear campaign claims that the Chinese government assigns staff to "monitor" Uygur employees, and even defames the existence of administrators of ethnic and religious affairs for Uygur employees at local companies, terming it as "monitoring."
On April 27, 2021, The Guardian quoted a member of an Australian anti-China group as saying that Uygurs were "held in secure compounds, working extremely long hours and under constant surveillance, and with political indoctrination as part of their daily routine." On March 9, 2020, a Washington Post article even ridiculously described the psychological counseling rooms as having been set for the purpose of thought policing Uygur employees.
Such psychological rooms, far from solely being found in Xinjiang, are part and parcel of many Chinese and foreign enterprises to help relieve psychological pressure experienced by employees. This is a common international practice. In November 2019, Chinese authorities issued the Specification of Healthy Enterprise Construction (trial), which requires employers to attach importance to their employees' physical and mental health, and encourages enterprises to set up mental health counseling rooms.
Tactic four: Distorting service work for labor transfer employment
On March 2, 2020, ABC quoted an ASPI researcher and separatist as saying that Uygur workers "are often transported across China in special segregated trains," and "authorities and factory bosses continue to closely monitor them." On April 27, 2021, The Guardian claimed that Uygurs employees "have limited or no communications with their families; mothers have been separated from their babies and families have been torn apart," citing the words of an anti-China separatist.
China fully protects the legitimate rights and interests of workers of all ethnic groups in law, policy, and practices, which advocate equal pay for equal work without discrimination against any ethnic groups. Chinese laws expressly stipulate that Uygur people enjoy the same rights as other ethnic groups, and Chinese enterprises have no right to and nor should they restrict their freedom.
Chinese citizens enjoy freedom of religious belief, and the state guarantees normal religious activities. Uygur employees participate in religious activities on the premise that they abide by China's laws and regulations, the enterprise's rules, and normal work routines.
Tactic five: Attacking China by citing misleading, tendentious claims
Based on my analysis of 189 stories from 13 media outlets, I found that when hyping up the "forced labor" smear, overseas anti-China media sources mainly cited "research report" published by the ASPI and anti-China scholar Laura Murphy, and the remarks of the separatist organization "World Uyghur Congress" along with its affiliated bodies.
A considerable number of their Xinjiang-related stories cited anti-China politicians and scholars to support their narratives, lack field research and first-hand information. The stories did not provide any reliable information, let alone contain actual interviews conducted with Uygur employees.
For example, in the article Canadian watchdog asked to probe allegations that imports made with forced labor in China published on April 11, 2022, The Globe and Mail quoted an "executive director" of a so-called "Uygur rights advocacy project" based in Ottawa as saying that he hopes a probe will drive Canada to take greater action against imports made using "forced labor."
Obviously, some Western media outlets achieve their goals of misleading their audiences and spreading fallacies by unilaterally quoting false statements made by some anonymous and anti-China sources, and using sensational and biased headlines. Their stories and quotes, without investigating the actual situation on the ground in Xinjiang region, lack verifiability. The information they convey in their stories is full of malicious speculation and lies.
Western anti-China forces concocted the "forced labor" fallacy as a means to serve their goal of suppressing China's economic development. To clarify the lies and show the world a real Xinjiang, China should make more efforts in several aspects, such as focusing on the international communication with the Arab world and developing countries, strengthen the public dissemination of accurate information, while also paying close attention to the slanderous tactics employed by anti-China forces to defame China.
"The most famous classic novel of China, A Journey to the West, as a matter of fact, is one of the few that have been translated and dubbed using Greenlandic voices for our national broadcasting TV. This shows that even though we are very far away from each other, we can build a bridge and a common future with mutual understanding and efforts," said Vivian Motzfeldt, Greenlandic minister for statehood and foreign affairs, at the official opening of the Greenlandic Representation on Monday at the Royal Danish Embassy in Beijing.
The reception was attended by the Danish Ambassador to China Thomas Østrup Møller, Greenlandic Minister for Statehood and Foreign Affairs Vivian Motzfeldt, head of the Greenland Representation in Beijing Jacob Isbosethsen, as well as other ministers and ambassadors.
"Royal Greenland has been present in Qingdao for 20 years now. Other companies, like Polar Seafood have also contributed a lot in exports and trade with China," Motzfeldt said.
She expressed her gratitude to the Chinese government and the Chinese People's Institute for Foreign Affairs for the cooperation between Greenland and China.
In addition, the Danish Embassy held an insightful seminar on tourism on Tuesday at the Greenland Representation in Beijing.
In her opening speech at the event, Motzfeldt emphasized the importance of tourism to the Greenlandic economy.
"The Government of Greenland has invested a lot in a new tourism policy and strategy. The Parliament and Government have decided to expand the runways and build three new airports in Nuuk, Ilulissat, and Qagortoq," she told the Global Times.
Air Greenland CEO Jacob Nitter Sørensen, head of Visa and Consular Affairs at the Royal Danish Embassy Charlotte Duelund, Polar Club 66 Co Ltd director Joe Chan, and other guests also introduced Greenlandic gastronomy, beautiful Arctic Circle, and other practical travel tips.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol on the sidelines of the leaders' meetings on East Asia cooperation held in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Thursday, which has garnered extensive attention from both Chinese and South Korean public opinion, especially the latter. Li pointed out that China and South Korea should continuously make the pie of cooperation bigger and better achieve mutual benefit and win-win results while Yoon said the South Korean side is willing to work together with China to practice multilateralism and free trade, and promote the stable and healthy development of the South Korea-China relationship. The meeting itself and the content of the talks have both sent a positive signal. They have brought about a new opportunity, making it possible for China-South Korea ties to get out of the twists and turns caused by the South Korean government's participation in the US strategy of containing China and incorrect comments made about matters pertaining to China's primary national interests.
This diplomatic setback between China and South Korea could have been avoided and was unnecessary from the perspective of the Chinese side. It doesn't serve the interests of both China and South Korea. The fault definitely lies with the South Korean administration, as China's policy toward South Korea has been consistent and stable, playing with open cards. However, the South Korean government's perspective is quite different from China's and has shown certain biases, which has been actively echoed by external third-party factors, resulting in adverse effects on the China-South Korea relationship and the situation in Northeast Asia.
Given such a situation, it is objectively necessary for China and South Korea to strengthen high-level communication, resolve or manage differences as much as possible, eliminate misunderstandings, and avoid damaging existing cooperation. There are no irreconcilable contradictions between China and South Korea, and most of the current problems are artificially created. This has made people feel regrettable toward the current diplomatic setback between China and South Korea. Fortunately, both China and South Korea still have the willingness to improve relations and meet each other halfway. The scope of cooperation between the two countries is extensive and solid, and regional issues and common challenges also drive China and South Korea to coordinate and cooperate. If such China-South Korea relations are ruined by the South Korean side, then Seoul really needs to reflect on it.
Yoon called for the early realization of a "South Korea-Japan-China summit" in Jakarta on Wednesday. He emphasized that South Korea is currently facing complex crises such as geopolitical competition and climate change and the reactivation of cooperation among South Korea, Japan and China will become a stepping stone for a new leap in ASEAN Plus Three cooperation. These remarks are highly consistent with the position frequently expressed by China. However, South Korean media noticed that Yoon changed the order of the commonly used "South Korea-China-Japan" expression in South Korea to "South Korea-Japan-China." Many South Koreans find it strange, with some netizens sarcastically saying the correct order should be "Japan-South Korea-China."
It's evident that the Yoon government has made great effort to express a friendly attitude toward Japan. However, Seoul should observe and consider the concerns, worries, and opposition that have already emerged in South Korea and its surrounding areas. The South Korean government's willingness to promote "reconciliation" with Japan by compromising its historical dignity is on one hand a result of the Yoon government's adjustment of its foreign strategy, as well as the content of a script already written by Washington on the other.
After the US-Japan-South Korea Camp David Summit, Seoul, which felt highly valued, clearly gained a great sense of satisfaction in the "friendship" among the three countries, even though this satisfaction came at the expense of South Korea's own interests and the promotion of confrontation in Northeast Asia. There is a huge gap between Seoul's self-perception and the views of the outside world, including South Korean society, which needs to be corrected. Seoul needs to truly devote its efforts to dwelling on how to truly integrate South Korea into the general trend of regional peace and stability, rather than prioritizing how to rank China, Japan and South Korea and making itself appear more and more like an "uncertain factor."
At least for now, we have many reasons to doubt that South Korea is transforming from a relatively independent and balanced role within the US alliance system to an outpost for the US to contain China in Northeast Asia. In this situation, particularly when South Korea emphasizes its "close relationship" with Japan, the balance among China, Japan, and South Korea may be disrupted, which should be taken seriously by the South Korean side. This time, Yoon said, "a new chapter in South Korea-US-Japan cooperation was opened through the recent improvement in South Korea-Japan relations." This so-called "new chapter" has completely different meanings for different countries.
South Korea is the chair country for China-Japan-South Korea trilateral cooperation, and China has always supported South Korea in playing an active role in promoting trilateral cooperation. Yoon said South Korea plans to work closely with Japan and China to revive trilateral cooperation mechanisms in the near future. If cooperation between the three countries is revitalized, greater momentum will be injected into the cooperation between ASEAN and China, Japan, and South Korea (10+3). We hope that South Korea can truly implement these words and respond to everyone's concerns.
In January 2020, I attended the 6th China-Australia High-level Dialogue in Sydney's Intercontinental Hotel near the picturesque Circular Quay. Although bilateral relations between China and Australia already started to chill after the then Australian government unwarrantedly accused China of "political interference" and recklessly imposed a blanket ban on Huawei, both sides during the meeting positively expressed a desire to put an end to the decline of the relationship. We pledged to meet again in the following year in Beijing to seek further mutual understanding and promote improvement to the bilateral ties.
No one had anticipated that China-Australia relations would plunge to their historically lowest point as the Morrison administration continued to align with the US' Indo-Pacific Strategy and further antagonize China as an opponent. Although both sides had hoped for the Beijing rendezvous, regretfully, it did not materialize.
After the Labor government took office in May 2022, glimmers of hope for the improvement of the bilateral relations coalesced into brighter glows as the Albanese team put a decisive end to the anti-China "megaphone diplomacy" adopted by the previous administration. China and Australia worked together to renew contacts, leading to a bilateral summit in Bali six months later, in November, between President Xi Jinping and Albanese. In December, China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi reached a consensus with his Australian counterpart Penny Wong, who was visiting Beijing on the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relationship between China and Australia, that the two sides should maintain high-level engagement, and commence or restart dialogue in areas including bilateral relations, economy and trade, and regional and international issues.
I had a sense of déjà vu when I walked into the spacious meeting room to participate in the 7th round of the dialogue, which finally took place on September 7 in the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse compound. The Australian side sent an 18-member delegation consisting of current and former government officials, and representatives from the business, education and academic circles to participate in the "track 1.5" dialogue. Amid pleasantries and formalities, there were indeed genuine aspirations to restore the relationship which had been insensitively and viciously devastated in the past three years.
The atmosphere during this year's dialogue was encouragingly candid, friendly and warm. While stating differences in the perceptions and assessments of various matters and topics, both sides also tried their best to identify common interests.
Disparities in the two countries' systems of governance and cultural traditions do exist, as in any other international relations, but the differences should not be amplified or even distorted to hinder or sabotage the stability of bilateral collaboration and exchanges.
There have been no historical or territorial disputes between the two countries and China has never posed any threat to Australia. Australia's close ties with the US should not naturally position Canberra as an adversary of China. As Li Zhaoxing, China's former foreign minister and head of the Chinese delegation to this year's dialogue said, Australia's bonds with its allies should not be in conflict with its ties with its other partners.
Despite the diplomatic upheavals during the past several years, China-Australia trade relations have been developing with vigorous dynamism. China has remained Australia's biggest trade partner for 14 years. Frictions and disputes can take place as in any international trade relations, but such disagreements should not be ideologized and politicized with the cold war mentality, which would only exacerbate problems rather than bring about resolutions.
It is heartening to see China and Australia have been carrying out proactive and conducive discussions and negotiations to seek solutions to the existing trade disputes. The recent resolution of the barley case is another promising step to steer the trade relations to the track of full recovery and consolidation with a constructive spirit on both sides.
During the sessions at the dialogue, I was thrilled to see a news alert on my phone that Anthony Albanese, Australia's Prime Minister, affirmed his long-anticipated visit to China within the year. The visit will obviously serve as a very positive move which will not only stabilize the bilateral relations, but also revitalize and strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership.
China and Australia are two important countries and key economies in the Asia-Pacific. Our proactive and constructive partnership will not only contribute to the economic development and cultural diversity in both countries, but also the peace, stability and prosperity of the region, and also of the world.
I look forward to the new stage our bilateral relations will achieve when the next round of High-level Dialogue takes place in Australia next year.
China's plan to make Fujian Province a demonstration zone for the integrated development across the Taiwan Straits, jointly issued by the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council on Tuesday, is an important measure to promote cross-Straits integrated development and the process of peaceful reunification, and a major policy boon for the people of Taiwan.
This circular of more than 4,000-words, with 6 major items and 21 specific measures, presents a panoramic view and visualization of the future scenarios of cross-Straits integration and development, especially for Taiwan compatriots who will develop on the mainland, and it stipulates specific provisions to ensure the effect of the policy on the ground. For the people of the mainland and Taiwan, this means not only personal opportunities and development, but also genuine and lasting peace. It is obviously a policy of great strength and breadth to benefit Taiwan, but its significance is not limited to the economic, social and cross-Straits exchanges. More importantly, it is the fruit of the Chinese government's comprehensive thinking on cross-Straits integration and development, and it also reflects the CPC Central Committee's utmost sincerity for peaceful reunification and utmost goodwill toward the compatriots in Taiwan. Anyone who hopes for peace and stability as well as for the shared well-being of people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits will not reject such goodwill.
On the same day, defense authority of Taiwan region released its latest defense report, claiming that "reservists may have to attend urban warfare." The two documents, one is talking about peace and the other about war; one focuses on development and the other on destruction, outlining two diametrically opposed destinies for Taiwan island. The move of the DPP authorities in Taiwan is not only deliberately opposed to the mainland, but also opposed to the interests and wishes of people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits.
The DPP authorities have always been afraid that the people on the island will feel sincerity and goodwill from the mainland. This time, they have deliberately ignored the impact of the circular through self-deception by burying their head in the sand. On the other hand, they have distorted and discredited the circular and made every effort to mislead the people on the island. A DPP legislator said that the circular was "digging a hole for the Taiwanese to jump into", which is one of the typically vicious and distorted remarks.
We must admit that the DPP has a skillful approach to deceiving the people on the island. If we want more compatriots in Taiwan to receive and accurately understand the decisions and deployments of this circular, there is still much work to be done. Fujian, as a demonstration zone for exploring cross-Straits integrated development, as long as the central government's policies are implemented well, will undoubtedly create a demonstration effect, win the reputation among Taiwan compatriots and enterprises, and fundamentally establish immunity against the DPP's manipulation of public opinion.
According to data released on September 11 by the executive authority in Taiwan, since Tsai Ing-wen took office in 2016, investment from Taiwan in the mainland has sharply declined by 44 percent, while investment in other countries and regions have surged by 96 percent. This data, which the DPP touts as an achievement, is actually a consequence of the DPP's various measures to sever economic and trade ties across the Taiwan Straits. The DPP has intensified political opposition and hostility towards the mainland, promoted economic "decoupling" from the mainland, made deliberate efforts in "de-Sinicization" in terms of culture and history, and increased military preparations and external collusion. These manipulations have created a very grim situation in cross-Straits relations.
The circular, issued in this context, has gone through a gradual deepening process. From the heartfelt call that "the two sides of the Taiwan Straits are one family," to the establishment of a demonstration zone for cross-Straits integrated development, the central government's policy on Taiwan has continuously advanced based on the actual development needs of Taiwan people in the mainland. This is conducive to further improving the business environment related to Taiwan, deepening cross-Straits industrial cooperation, and at the same time, it serves as a countermeasure to block the DPP's attempts to reverse the situation.
Economic and trade relationships are resilient; even in challenging times, they can find their way. However, when constrained by the political hostilities, progress can be extremely difficult. Both sides of the Taiwan Straits share a common language and origin, and blood runs thicker than water. In the face of political tension and economic and trade exchanges being obstructed, strengthening social connections between the two sides becomes particularly important. The establishment and practice of the Fujian demonstration zone will elevate both the depth and breadth of people-to-people exchanges across the Straits to a new level.
We must be fully prepared both psychologically and in our actions to counter the interference and disruption by the DPP as well as external forces. Based on the experiences of recent years, it's not difficult to discern that whatever the DPP vigorously promotes and celebrates with fanfare is typically detrimental to Taiwan's interests, undermining the foundation of peace across the Taiwan Straits. Conversely, what they deliberately avoid or protest against is often in the true interest of people on both sides of the Straits and conducive to cross-Straits peace and stability. The DPP's persistent "pro-independence" agenda, coupled with provocations from countries like the US and Japan, has been intensifying, which push us to continually strengthen our capacity to counteract separatist activities while advocating for peaceful reunification.
Editor's Note: This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping. Through the lens of foreign pundits, we take a look at 10 years of the BRI - how it achieves win-win cooperation between China and participating countries of the BRI and how it has given the people of these countries a sense of fulfillment.
The Mexican Chamber of Commerce in China (MexCham) vice president Victor Cadena (Cadena) shared his views in an interview with Global Times (GT) reporter Qian Jiayin. He believes that the core values of the BRI, which embody inclusiveness and win-win development, provide a prosperous foundation for long-term cooperation between Chinese and Mexican enterprises.
This is the 14th piece of the series.
GT: How do you evaluate the achievements and impact of the BRI? The circle of friends who are jointly building the BRI has expanded to 21 countries in Latin America. In your opinion, why is this initiative becoming increasingly popular in Latin America?
Cadena: The BRI has been successful because its core values are inclusiveness and win-win development. Solid institutions such as the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) have been created to finance cross-border infrastructure and multiple projects while fostering multilateral trade not just between China and the corresponding country but globally. MexCham actively participates in forums and exhibitions related to some BRI, and the BRI has provided convenience for Mexican companies to come to China.
GT: MexCham has been established for 16 years, and you have witnessed the development of China-Mexico economic and trade relations after the implementation of the BRI. What changes has the BRI brought to the MexCham?
Cadena: Mexico and China are old partners and friends. This year, we celebrate the 51st anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 16th anniversary of MexCham. Bilateral trade has been growing year on year, and last year our bilateral trade was around $130 billion, the highest record ever, compared to $86.6 billion in 2021. Hence, China is Mexico's second largest trading partner globally, just behind the US, and Mexico is China's second largest trading partner in Latin America, with Brazil being its largest in the region.
GT: What advantages does the BRI provide for Mexican companies to develop in China?
Cadena: The Mexican government has not formally endorsed the BRI, and Mexico is not a member of the AIIB. The reasons are mainly related to geopolitics; however, as I mentioned, Mexico and China have very close political and economic relations. Proof of that is our bilateral trade, which has been growing year on year and last year was $130 billion, the highest ever. This amount is much larger than the bilateral trade between China and other Latin American countries with whom China has Free trade agreements (FTA).
Mexico and China do not have an FTA with each other, but we do have different bilateral instruments that provide legal certainty for bilateral trade and investments, such as a bilateral treaty for avoiding double taxation and a bilateral treaty for protecting bilateral investments, just to mention a few. In addition, Mexico and China have elevated their relations to the level of "comprehensive strategic partnership," which is a special category given by the governments of both countries.
GT: The US has always concocted various arguments to smear China's economic activities in Latin America, such as "debt traps," China's so-called expanding influence in Latin America and plans to build military facility. How much do you think these arguments can affect China-Latin America's economic cooperation? Will countries in Latin America buy into these arguments?
Cadena: Mexico is an independent, sovereign, autonomous country, and a member of international organizations such as the UN and WTO. Mexico has solid and mature economic and political relations with all countries worldwide, including China and the US. There are no foreign troops from any country in Mexico. A clear evidence of Mexico's peaceful and solid relations with both the US and China is the fact that the US and China are Mexico's largest trading partners.
The main trading partner of Latin America is China; in most countries in Latin America, China ranks as the largest or second-largest trading partner and source of foreign direct investment. These facts show the relevance of China in Latin America. This trend is more likely to continue in the short and medium term.
GT: What are the differences between China and the US in the approaches of conducting economic and trade cooperation with Latin America?
Cadena: According to the US official figures, in the first six months of 2023, the US' largest trading partner was Mexico. Before Mexico, this position was held by China. This position is probably temporary and will likely change somewhere in the future. The so called US-Mexico-Canada Agreement, formerly called the North American Free Trade Agreement, has been in force for almost 30 years and provides a mature platform for companies manufacturing, assembling, and trading goods and services in the North American region.
In fact, thousands of Chinese companies have been settled in Mexico over the last three decades, and in particular, over the last 3 years, there has been a new wave of Chinese companies arriving and eager to establish their offices and plants in Mexico as a consequence of the so called near-shoring effect. In a similar way, more and more Mexican companies and businesses are coming to China. In this sense, Mexico provides a mature and competitive platform for Chinese and foreign companies to manufacture or assemble their products and later export them to the US with zero tariffs due to the FTA. This is a win-win situation, as I consider Mexico and China to be complementary economies. In terms of exports, Mexico is different than most Latin American countries in the sense that a large amount of its exports are manufactured rather than primary, non-processed goods.
GT: In your opinion, in which areas do you think there is still potential for future economic and trade cooperation between Chinese and Mexican companies?
Cadena: Beyond the growing and huge bilateral trade between Mexico and China, I believe there is still more room for development in terms of communication between China and Mexico in several aspects. Cultural and academic exchanges are also important. Like China, Mexico is also a millennial civilization with a rich history and culture and is also the largest Spanish-speaking country worldwide. Before COVID, Mexico was the first country in Latin America with direct passenger flights to China. These flights haven't resumed, but we hope they will soon, as people's connectivity is very important. Mexico was also the most visited country in Latin America by Chinese tourists. Mexico ranks among the top 10 most visited countries, and the tourism industry is very well developed. Political exchanges are permanent and fluent. I trust our trade, political and cultural exchanges will continue growing in the years to come.
MexCham participates actively in trade and investment exhibitions and summits all over China. As an example, over the last few weeks, we headed a 30-member Mexican business delegation to Changsha, Hunan Province. In September, with Mexican companies we participated in the China International Fair for Trade in Services (Beijing) and China International Fair for Investment and Trade (Xiamen) with a Mexican pavilion, and business conferences in Anhui and Shandong. In August, in Mexico we received a delegation from Chongqing, and in October we will receive another from Shandong. I am very confident and positive about the Mexico-China relationship; we are old friends and good partners. We look forward to more Mexican companies in China and more Chinese companies in Mexico. Win-win long-term cooperation is the foundation for mutual sustainable growth and prosperity.
Recently, European politicians have been clamoring for anti-subsidy measures against Chinese electric vehicles. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for a corresponding investigation in her annual State of the Union address, which received positive responses from French Minister for European Affairs Laurence Boone, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, and Minister for Economic Affairs Robert Habeck. For a while, the specter of trade protectionism seems to have returned to the continent that has been waving the banner of "open markets" for decades.
In recent years, the EU has continuously dressed up its foreign trade policies with concepts such as "fair trade" and "open strategic autonomy." However, in practice, it has continuously promoted restrictive measures in various fields through policy-making and legislative processes, such as formulating "competition rules" and so-called due diligence for supply chains. This time, the EU's argument is that huge state subsidies are distorting the market and "Europe is open for competition. Not for a race to the bottom."
However, in the eyes of the outside world, the EU wields the tariff stick with its unilaterally determined standards and reasons, using the banner of "fairness" to impose unfair measures on enterprises and products of other countries, essentially aiming to protect its domestic companies and market. Meanwhile, the EU and some member states are vigorously implementing subsidy policies. For example, issued in February, the EU's "Green Deal Industrial Plan" significantly relaxes the regulation of industrial subsidies, and the French government's "Green Industry Act" proposes tax exemptions of 20 percent to 45 percent for renewable energy equipment, heat pumps and battery manufacturers.
In fact, the so-called actions of the EU are more driven by concerns over the impact of China's electric vehicle industry on its traditional fuel-powered car industry. European car companies have invested heavily in traditional car technology and industry centered on internal combustion engines, making it difficult for them to adapt to the massive industrial transformation brought about by the revolution of electric vehicles, hence their call for political measures. Tu Le, the founder of Sino Auto Insights, stated that the EU's initiation of the investigation "says as much about the lack of competitiveness of European EVs."
On the other hand, the EU's investigation into "distorting market subsidies" targeting Chinese electric vehicles is completely unfounded and untenable. Chinese companies began investing in electric vehicle research and development and industrial investment as early as 15 years ago and have benefited from China's high-quality development process, relying on continuous independent innovation, a comprehensive industry chain system, and a large domestic market. In 2022, China's electric vehicle market will account for 59 percent of the global market. At the same time, the claim that Chinese car companies are distorting the European electric vehicle market is a complete lie. In 2022, the market share of Chinese electric vehicles in the EU was only about eight percent.
The European industry itself has also expressed opposition and concerns about resorting to protectionist measures to seek competitiveness. Ola Kaellenius, CEO of Mercedes-Benz, stated that "if we look at the success of the WTO over the last 30 years, globalization, reducing trade barriers and promoting free trade have driven an enormous amount of economic growth and wealth generation," and companies oppose using political means to undermine the system centered around WTO rules.
For the EU, the pursuit of so-called trade fairness through protective measures is likely to backfire. In recent years, the EU has implemented various measures in the field of trade with China, not out of genuine economic considerations but rather as a result of its increasing emphasis on China as an economic and systemic competitor and adversary. These actions, driven by political bias, are bound to create a gap between the vision of cooperation and mutual benefit among enterprises. From the perspective of current industry development, the EU's initiation of anti-subsidy investigations against China is baseless and will only unilaterally increase the risk of trade disputes and escalate tensions between China and the EU.
The visit of Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, to China for the high-level EU-China economic and trade dialogue reflects the EU's desire to continue dialogue with China in the economic and trade fields. However, at the same time, the EU is preparing unilateral measures against China's electric vehicle industry, which is likely to raise doubts about its sincerity. The EU should realize that hoping to gain an advantage through "playing cards" and creating leverage will not bring benefits to the game but rather push the existing mutually beneficial relationship between the two sides toward a worse future, ultimately imposing unnecessary costs on its own economy and even its green transformation process.
