LETTER: ‘China-bashing’ reflects lack of insight into its true objectives
China firmly opposes hegemonism in whatever form as well as unilateralism, protectionism and trade bullying
I refer to Gerrit Olivier and Michele Olivier’s article in Business Day (Pandemic may set off a change in the decrepit global architecture, (http://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/2020-08-04-pandemic-may-set-off-a-change-in-the-decrepit-global-architecture/) August 4). While I concur with their broad conclusion that “perhaps the best option left seems to be a reformed UN”, I strongly disagree with their assumption that “of major and immediate concern should be to prevent the lurking Chinese hegemony”.
This highly questionable statement not only smacks of the counterproductive Trump/Pompeo “China bashing at all costs” narrative, but also reflects a grave lack of insight into China’s true global objectives. China has experienced untold political and developmental hardships in its past — it was a victim of both colonialism and imperialism. It has, however, made phenomenal socioeconomic progress over the last few decades, with its future increasingly intertwined with the rest of...
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