By Global Times Published: Mar 07, 2023 11:35 PM
Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang attends a press conference on China’s foreign policy and foreign relations on the sidelines of the first session of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) in Beijing, capital of China, March 7, 2023. Photo: XinhuaOn Tuesday, Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang answered questions from journalists both home and abroad about China’s foreign policy and external relations. The foreign minister’s press conference is one of the highlights of the two sessions every year. In particular, this year’s press conference is the first after three years that the Chinese foreign minister met with the press in-person and the first since Qin took the post. It has naturally received attention from all sides.
In 114 minutes, Qin answered a total of 14 questions, using lively and humorous language to vividly explain the goals and missions of China’s diplomacy, as well as clearly express the country’s propositions and position on major-country relations, neighborhood diplomacy and hot issues. His words reflected the continuity and certainty of China’s diplomacy, as well as Qin’s personal style. Sincerity, frankness, broad-mindedness and self-confidence are people’s prominent impressions of this press conference.
The press covered a very comprehensive range of topics, while not avoiding sharp topics of concern to the world. For example, in terms of foreign exchanges, Qin expressed his firm will to develop friendship and cooperation with other countries, noting that China will generate new opportunities for the world with its new development. When talking about the Belt and Road Initiative, he said « its cooperation is conducted through consultation, and its partnerships are built with friendship and good faith. » In fact, from the press conference, the world intuitively feels that China will firmly safeguard its core interests and always be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order. This is also the overall style of Chinese diplomacy in the new era.
International public opinion has particularly paid attention to Qin’s statement on China-US relations, which from one aspect highlights the significance of this bilateral relationship and also shows the outside world’s realistic concerns about China-US relations. Qin bluntly pointed out that the US’ perception and views of China are seriously distorted, which is like « the first button in a shirt being put wrong. » If the US does not hit the brake but continues to speed down the wrong path, there will « surely be conflict and confrontation. » He also mentioned that the China-US relationship should be determined by the common interests and shared responsibilities of the two countries and by the friendship between the Chinese and American peoples, rather than by US domestic politics or the hysterical neo-McCarthyism. This is not only a warning to Washington but also shows the Chinese side’s responsible and serious attitude toward China-US relations.
We have noticed that some Western media are scrutinizing this press conference with a magnifying glass, attempting to label Chinese diplomacy as « moderate » or « hard-line, » but this is clearly a misdirection. In fact, Qin has made it very clear at the press conference that the so-called « wolf warrior diplomacy » is a narrative trap. In China’s diplomacy, there is no shortage of goodwill and kindness, but if faced with jackals or wolves, Chinese diplomats would have no choice but to confront them head-on and protect our motherland, said Qin. In other words, wherever China’s national interests lie and wherever the morality of maintaining peace and stability lies, Chinese diplomats will stand there.
« It is worth emphasizing that the narrative trap mentioned by Qin is precisely the despicable means that Washington has repeatedly used in recent years to seek geopolitical private interests. Taking advantage of its public opinion hegemony, Washington has constantly set narrative traps such as the « Chinese debt trap, » « rules of international order, » and « democracy vs. authoritarianism, » and by continuously smearing China, it attempts to trip up China while covering up its own unpopular actions of starting a new cold war under the name of « competition. » It’s clear that the US policy toward China has completely deviated from the rational and healthy track, and the US cannot expect China not to respond in words or actions. This is absolutely impossible. »
At the same time, Qin also stated that the American people, just like the Chinese people, are friendly, kind and sincere, and want a better life and a better world. While confronting wolves head-on, China’s diplomacy has never given up the pursuit of unity, cooperation, and peaceful development. This is reflected prominently in China’s growing circle of friends. China is having more and more new friends and increasingly closer old friends. In the eyes of the vast majority of normal countries in the international community, China is a friendly, enthusiastic, and willing-to-share good neighbor and partner. Some Western media and public opinion claim that China’s diplomacy is becoming increasingly « tough, » and some even feel targeted during the press conference, which just shows who the « wolves » are in today’s international relations – they know it very well.
What a China that always focuses on development, with great certainty and a strong sense of responsibility, will bring to the world is a sense of stability and steadfastness, and this will first be conveyed through diplomacy. As Qin said, the new journey of China’s diplomacy will be an expedition with glories and dreams, and it will also be a long voyage through stormy seas. The harder the mission, the more glorious its accomplishment. We look forward to China’s diplomacy in the new era to have more outstanding performances under the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy.
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Arouse vigilance, opposition around the world against ‘wolves’: Global Times editorial
By Global Times Published: Mar 09, 2023 
First, let’s take a look at the headlines of several US media articles in recent days: The Wall Street Journal – « U.S., China Plunge Further Into a Spiral of Hostility; » The Washington Post – « The U.S.-China rift is only growing wider; » and The Washington Times – « We’ve entered a new Cold War with China. » These are these media outlets’ latest interpretations of China-US relations. Although their perspectives and positions are different, we can feel the tense atmosphere.
These headlines have indirectly confirmed the warning issued by Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang on Tuesday: « If the US does not hit the brake but continues to speed down the wrong path, no amount of guardrails can prevent derailing, and there will surely be conflict and confrontation. » In our Wednesday editorial, we noted that some US media are trying to label Chinese diplomacy and portray China as the one responsible for escalating tensions in China-US relations. Who exactly is hurting the bilateral ties and even world peace by showing its sharp claws? In order to avoid having a misperception, we need to answer this question correctly.
We have noticed that many US media outlets have mentioned the « signs of easing in China-US tensions » that emerged in the China-US relationship just a few weeks ago and have used this to indicate the fragility of the world’s most important bilateral relationship. So what has caused China-US relations to become tense again? Is it because China’s telling the truth? Clearly not. It is the Pentagon’s sending of a sidewinder missile to an altitude of 20,000 meters, as well as the appearance of the F-22 fighter aircraft, like a group performance, that has turned an accidental incident caused by irresistible forces into a diplomatic crisis. The US side’s distorted mentality toward China is the main culprit for undermining the China-US relationship.
Some in the US are eager to criticize China, even when China just speaks the truth. This itself is part of the fangs of the « wolf. » In recent years, the US’ containment and suppression of China in politics, economy, technology, culture, and other fields all conform to the behavioral characteristics of a « wolf. » Some anti-China politicians in Washington who are constantly targeting and attacking China are a vivid portrayal of the « wolf » image.
In recent years, the US has not only launched a trade war against China, but has also implemented technology sanctions and sought « decoupling, » and the US Congress has constantly introduced anti-China bills aimed at containing and suppressing China. The Biden administration claims it « does not seek conflict » but, in reality, continues to supply weapons to the island of Taiwan and conduct frequent close-in reconnaissance at China’s doorstep. At the same time, the US is also trying hard to push for the Asia-Pacificization of NATO, forming a « wolf pack » led by the top wolf. Even the US ambassador to China has repeatedly provoked the China-US relationship publicly and on social media since taking office. This is the truth behind Washington’s so-called « managing the competition responsibly » and « not seeking conflict. »
The US is a country that places great emphasis on the right to self-defense, and the « stand your ground » laws implemented in most states give citizens a great deal of autonomy to defend themselves against threats, even using lethal weapons. However, in international relations, Washington clearly presents a different face. When it relentlessly presses China like a hungry wolf with an insatiable appetite for geopolitics, China will be portrayed as the « No.1 threat » if it picks up weapons for self-defense, and the US will constantly elevate its offensive posture. But where exactly has China « threatened » the US? We are afraid that many Americans have no answer to that. For many Washington elites, China’s development and the Chinese people’s desire for a better life are a kind of « original sin, » because, in Washington’s memory, wealth is accumulated through plunder and slaughter.
One noteworthy detail is that this year’s Government Work Report continues to focus on domestic development and does not mention the US at all. In fact, this is basically the same case with similar reports in the past. In contrast, the US State of the Union Address in recent years mentions China every year. This clearly reflects the fundamentally different development approaches of the two countries: China does not rely on war, colonization, or plunder but has developed its own path to Chinese modernization, while it seems that Washington cannot find the « motivation » for its own development without creating conflicts with other countries. In other words, China’s development relies on its own hard work and wisdom, while Washington is still immersed in the old hegemonic, domineering and bullying dream.
In response to Qin’s remarks, the White House stated later on Tuesday that the US is seeking competition and « We do not seek conflict, and we do not want conflict. » This is the often-used rhetoric by the US side, and it cannot be said that they are lying, as conflict is certainly not beneficial to anyone. However, Washington hopes China will not respond in words or action when slandered or attacked; how can this be possible? An article in a US media outlet quoted a former US senior official as saying, « The more resolutely and unapologetically we take steps to defend our national security, the more that boundaries will be respected. » When such media said this, even if they had a tiny bit of empathy, China-US relations would not have been so damaged by them, and world peace and development would have been less threatened.
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Le « Global Times » est l’organe quasi-officiel du gouvernement chinois en anglais.
ARTOFUS
Ces deux éditoriaux , venant après la conférence de presse très ferme , voire même inhabituellement lourde de menaçes, du ministre des Affaires étrangères Qin Gang, doivent certainement être lus avec plus d’attention que n’en montrent ici nos « main-stream medias » subventionnés !!!!!
MEMORABILIA 