The Chinese government is starting to push back against the Trump Administration’s efforts to spur change in the Communist nation.
“It’s time for the US to give up its wishful thinking of changing China and stopping 1.4 billion people in their historic march toward modernization,” said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Wang also warned the US not to “challenge China’s red line on Taiwan” after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo congratulated Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen on her second inauguration.
“Some US political forces are taking hostage of China-US relations, attempting to push the ties to the brink of so-called ‘new Cold War,'” warned Wang. “This is dangerous and will endanger global peace.”
The striking comment follows much finger pointing regarding COVID-19, with both nations claiming the other failed to respond properly to the pandemic. President Trump has blamed the scope of the pandemic squarely on the Communist Party and has threatened to pull all funding from the World Health Organization based on its relationship with Beijing.
At least one Chinese official claims the United States military planted COVID-19 in Wuhan.
The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened a relationship already strained by trade disputes and tariffs on Chinese telecom companies. Last week, China announced a controversial proposal designed to stamp out the protests in Hong Kong.
The Trump Administration is prepared to respond with economic sanctions if the law passes and may revoke the special trade status that allows Hong Kong to function as an international financial hub.
“We are trying hard to come out of an economic disaster,” said Mr. Pompeo. “But a knockdown fight with China has been thrust upon us…The takeover of Hong Kong is the writing on the wall.”
Author’s Note:
China is sending a clear signal here that it has had enough with Trump’s negotiations. This could be a bluff, but if China is willing to go back to Cold War status, then it is willing to give up a great deal of wealth in order to maintain its totalitarian ways.
This could benefit America in some ways if the war doesn’t happen overnight. A gradual weaning away from China could be our best bet.