Hey there, amigos! In a fiery chat over the weekend, Chinese ambassador to the US, Xie Feng, dropped some truth bombs 💣 about the US-China relationship.
During a lively fireside chat with Harvard's Professor Graham Allison 🔥, Ambassador Xie didn't hold back. He accused the US of \"bullying\" China, saying that the current competition between the two countries isn't exactly fair play. 🏀
He pointed out that the US is slapping sanctions on Chinese companies, pressuring other nations to limit exports to China, and accusing China's clean energy products of \"overcapacity\". Talk about tough love! 😳
Xie stressed that there's no obsession with hegemony in China's DNA 🧬, and that the US has seriously miscalculated China's intentions. He asked, if the US is aware of the \"Thucydides Trap\" (you know, that idea where a rising power threatens to displace an existing one, leading to conflict), then why is it jumping right into it? 🤔
🚗 Xie: Let's Keep the Competition Fair! 🏁
Responding to the \"China overcapacity\" chatter, especially from the US, Xie acknowledged that yes, there's competition between China and the US. But hey, competition should be fair! He accused the US of keeping Chinese players out of the game even before it starts, by slapping sanctions based on its own domestic laws. Not cool, right? 😕
Even with these hurdles, Chinese companies, like those making electric vehicles 🚗⚡, lithium-ion batteries 🔋, and photovoltaic products 🌞, have managed to race ahead. But then, according to Xie, the US accuses them of being too good, causing overcapacity, and posing a threat to other contestants. Now they're being told to quit the game? That's like telling the star player to sit on the bench! 🏀🏆
He emphasized that labeling the bilateral relationship as just \"competition\" can lead to strategic risks. There's so much room for China and the US to team up and tackle global challenges together. 👐
Xie warned that if the US only aims to avoid conflict with China, then we might be closer to conflict than we think. He compared it to \"racing cars on a cliff's edge, where conceited drivers are most likely to end up falling into the abyss below.\" Yikes! Let's not go there. 😬
🌐 Xie: BRI is About Global Good Vibes ✨
Xie also chatted about China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), saying its success shows that high-quality industrial capacity isn't excessive globally. Instead, it can spark more demand and boost economic growth. 🚀
He highlighted that the BRI sticks to principles like extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. It's all about helping countries revitalize and promoting common development. Plus, it's not some geopolitical tool but an open and inclusive platform for international cooperation. Sounds pretty inviting, right? 🤝
Wrapping up, Xie said, \"China is neither Athens nor Sparta.\" In other words, assuming China will follow the same old path as past Western powers is a serious miscalculation. Those who think \"strength determines intention\" might just be projecting their own mindset onto others. Deep stuff! 🧐
Reference(s):
Chinese ambassador says U.S. made 'serious miscalculation' about China
cgtn.com
