Finger-pointing, false narratives, and the Group of 77
Michael Horlick, MPM, M Ed., PMP
Educator, Lexicographer, and Incurable Idealist
Terms to note from today’s PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conference:
Today’s quote:
- 。。。所谓“对华依赖”，这就是个伪命题。因为合作从来都是互利的，依存从来都是相互的。中国改革开放40多年来，不断扩大开放领域，致力于为外国投资者提供市场化、法治化、国际化的营商环境。我们愿与世界各国进一步深化合作，共享机遇。?
... the so-called “dependency on China” is a false narrative, because cooperation is mutually beneficial, and dependency is always mutual when it comes to business and trade. Over the past four decades or so since China began reform and opening-up, we have opened up more and more areas with an abiding commitment to providing a business environment that is market-oriented, law-based, and internationalized for foreign investors. China will always deepen cooperation and share opportunities with the rest of the world.?
Previous PRC history of the term:
- 。。。我们看到消息人士称，欧盟和日本领导人将于12日在东京举行峰会，制定贸易、技术和供应链等广泛领域合作蓝图，以减少对华依赖。?
...we noted that sources said the EU and Japan will hold a leaders’ summit in Tokyo on May 12, and both sides will establish a blueprint for wide-ranging cooperation from trade, to technology and supply chains in an attempt to cut their dependence on China.?
Today’s quote:
- 近日，美国联邦通信委员会发布声明称，委员会已禁止有关中国公司向美国提供电信设备和视频监控设备，并称这对美国的国家安全构成威胁。 ... 美方此举是泛化国家安全概念，滥用国家力量无理打压中国企业的又一恶劣案例。这种做法违反市场经济原则，破坏国际贸易规则，损害中国企业利益。中方对此坚决反对。?
The US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) said in a statement that it has banned multiple Chinese companies from providing telecommunications equipment and video surveillance devices, citing national security threats.?... What the US did is yet another example of its abuse of the national security concept and state power to hobble Chinese companies. Such practice is against the principles of the market economy and international trade rules and hurts Chinese companies’ interests. China is firmly against it.?
Previous PRC history of the term:
- 中国政府一贯鼓励中国企业按照市场原则和国际规则、在遵守当地法律的基础上开展对外贸易投资合作。中方坚决反对一些人泛化国家安全概念，无理打压中国企业。?
The Chinese government always encourages Chinese companies to carry out foreign trade and investment cooperation in line with local laws as well as market principles and international rules. We are firmly against some people’s moves to deliberately overstretch the concept of national security to wear down Chinese enterprises.?
Previous PRC history of the term:
- 英方泛化国家安全概念，滥用国家力量，直接干预中国企业在英正常投资合作，损害有关企业的合法权益，严重违背英方向来标榜的市场经济原则和国际经贸规则。?
The UK has overstretched the concept of national security and abused state power to directly interfere in a Chinese company’s normal investment cooperation in Britain. This violates the lawful rights and interests of the company concerned, and the market economy principles and international trade rules which the UK has long claimed itself to be a champion of.?
- 加方泛化国家安全概念，人为对中加企业间正常的经贸投资合作设置障碍的做法，与其自身标榜的市场经济原则和国际经贸规则背道而驰，不利于有关产业发展，有损全球产业链供应链的稳定。?
The Canadian side has overstretched the concept of national security and placed arbitrary curbs on normal trade and investment cooperation between China and Canadian companies. This is against the principle of market economy and international economic and trading rules the Canadian side has been talking about. It does no good to the development of the target sectors, and hurts the stability of global industrial and supply chains.?
- 任何执意打造“小院高墙”、“平行体系”的行径，任何热衷于搞排他性“小圈子”、“小集团”、分裂世界的行径，任何泛化国家安全概念、对其他国家经济科技发展进行遏制的行径，任何煽动意识形态对立、把经济科技问题政治化、武器化的行径，都严重削弱国际社会应对共同挑战的努力。?
Acts of single-mindedly building "exclusive yards with high walls" or "parallel systems", of enthusiastically putting together exclusive small circles or blocs that polarize the world, of overstretching the concept of national security to hold back economic and technological advances of other countries, and of fanning ideological antagonism and politicizing or weaponizing economic, scientific and technological issues, will gravely undercut international efforts to tackle common challenges.?
Today’s quote:
- 不干涉内政原则是国与国交往的“黄金法则”。台湾、新疆、香港事务纯属中国内政，不容外部势力指手画脚。中方维护国家主权、安全和发展利益的决心坚定不移。加方曾多次表示重视对华关系，愿本着向前看的态度致力于改善和发展对华关系。加方应言行一致，拿出诚意和善意，秉持求同存异的精神，奉行理性务实的对华政策，用行动将承诺落到实处。?
The principle of non-interference in each other’s internal affairs is a “golden rule” governing state-to-state exchanges. Affairs related to Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong are purely China’s internal affairs, and we accept no finger-pointing from external forces. The Chinese side will not waver in its resolve to safeguard the nation’s sovereignty, security and development interests. The Canadian side has said on many occasions that it attaches importance to its relations with China and would like to improve and grow the relations with eyes set on the future. The Canadian side needs to honor its words, show sincerity and goodwill, seek common ground while reserving differences, adopt reasonable and practical policies towards China, and deliver its commitments with concrete efforts.?
Previous PRC history of the term:
- ?“一带一路”建设，倡导不同民族、不同文化要“交而通”，而不是“交而恶”，彼此要多拆墙、少筑墙，把对话当作“黄金法则”用起来，大家一起做有来有往的邻居。?
The Belt and Road Initiative calls for exchanges between nations and civilizations for mutual understanding, rather than mutual resentment. It is important to remove, rather than erect, walls between each other, take dialogue as the golden rule and be good neighbors with each other.?
Today’s quote:
- 今年是中斯建交65周年暨《米胶协定》签署70周年，具有承前启后的重要意义。中方愿同斯方弘扬传统友好，巩固战略互信，深化拓展务实合作，巩固好、拓展好中斯战略合作伙伴关系，更好地造福两国和两国人民。?
This year [2022] marks the 65th anniversary of China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations, and the 70th anniversary of the Rubber-Rice Pact. It is of great significance of building on past achievements and working for fresh progress. China will work with Sri Lanka to carry forward the traditional friendship, cement strategic mutual trust, deepen and expand practical cooperation, and consolidate and expand China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership to better deliver benefits to the two countries and the two peoples.?
Previous PRC history of the term:
- 2月17日，中国共产党同斯里兰卡朝野主要政党共同举办庆祝中斯建交65周年暨《米胶协定》签署70周年大会。 ... 斯各政党高度赞赏在以习近平同志为核心的中共中央领导下，中国取得了举世瞩目的成就，感谢中方向斯提供大力支持，表示斯方视中国为真正的朋友，愿同中国共产党一道，弘扬《米胶协定》精神，以党际关系为引领，深化政治互信，推进各领域合作。?
On February 17 [2022], the Communist Party of China (CPC) and major political parties of Sri Lanka jointly held a meeting to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Sri Lanka and the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Rice-Rubber Pact. ... Sri Lanka’s political parties highly appreciated China’s remarkable achievements under the leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core and thanked China for its strong support to Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka sees China as a true friend and stands ready to work with the CPC to carry forward the spirit of the Rice-Rubber Pact, deepen political mutual trust and advance cooperation in various fields under the guidance of inter-party relations.?
- 今年初，王毅国务委员兼外长成功访问斯里兰卡，同斯方共同启动了建交65周年暨《米胶协定》签署70周年庆祝活动。中方愿同斯方一道，以建交周年为契机，弘扬“独立自强、团结互助”的米胶协定精神，进一步深化传统友谊，增进政治互信，加强团结抗疫，推动共建“一带一路”等务实合作提质升级，密切在国际和地区事务中的协调与合作，巩固好、拓展好中斯战略合作伙伴关系，更好造福两国和两国人民。?
At the beginning of this year [2022], State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi paid a successful visit to Sri Lanka, and launched the celebration of the 65th anniversary of the China-Sri Lanka diplomatic relations and the 70th anniversary of the Rubber-Rice Pact together with the Sri Lankan side. China is ready to work with Sri Lanka to take the anniversary as an opportunity to carry forward the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact characterized by independence, self-reliance, unity and mutual support, further deepen the traditional friendship, boost political mutual trust, enhance solidarity against the pandemic, jointly upgrade practical cooperation including the Belt and Road cooperation, conduct closer coordination and cooperation in international and regional affairs, and consolidate and expand China-Sri Lanka strategic cooperative partnership to better deliver benefits to the two countries and the two peoples.?
- 中方坚定支持斯方维护国家主权、独立和领土完整，愿以建交65周年暨《米胶协定》签署70周年为契机，弘扬“独立自强、团结互助”的米胶协定精神，进一步深化政治互信、携手抗击疫情、对接发展战略、弘扬多边主义，巩固拓展好中斯战略合作伙伴关系。?
China firmly supports Sri Lanka in safeguarding national sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. As we celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sri Lanka and the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Rubber-Rice Pact, China is ready to work with Sri Lanka to carry forward the spirit of the Rubber-Rice Pact characterized by independence, self-reliance, unity and mutual support, further deepen political mutual trust, fight against the epidemic together, synergize development strategies, promote multilateralism and consolidate and expand the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership.?
- 日前，德国外长贝尔伯克在《南德意志报》“欧洲经济之夜”活动上发表演讲，称中国和沙特等“富有的七十七国集团成员国”对其他国家施压以攫取绝对利益；在谈及所谓“对等”问题时，她还称外资企业无法在中国投资包括机场、港口、电网等在内的关键基础设施。?
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock delivered remarks at Süddeutsche Zeitung’s recent Night of the European Economy event. She claimed that China, Saudi Arabia and other wealthy members of the Group of 77 pressure other countries for selfish interest. Speaking on the issue of reciprocity, she said that foreign companies are not allowed to invest in critical infrastructure projects like airports, ports and grid in China.?
Today’s quote:
领英推荐
- 欧洲理事会主席米歇尔将于12月1日访华，这是党的二十大之后中国和欧盟机构领导人之间首场正式会晤。访问期间，习近平主席将同米歇尔主席举行会谈，李克强总理、栗战书委员长将分别会见。双方领导人将就中欧关系以及共同关心的国际和地区问题深入交换意见。中方高度重视发展对欧关系，愿通过此访同欧方加强战略沟通，凝聚共识，共同推动中欧关系持续健康稳定发展，为复杂动荡的国际局势注入更多稳定性。?
President of the European Council Charles Michel will visit China on December 1 [2022]. This will be the first time for an official meeting to take place between the leaders of China and the EU institutions after the 20th National Congress of the CPC. During President Michel’s visit, President Xi Jinping will have talks with him, and Premier Li Keqiang and Chairman Li Zhanshu of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress will meet with him respectively. The leaders of both sides will have an in-depth exchange of views on China-EU relations and international and regional issues of mutual interest. China attaches great importance to its relations with the EU. China hopes to strengthen strategic communication and build consensus with the European side through this visit and jointly work for sustained, sound and steady development of China-EU relations to inject more stability to complex and fluid international landscape.?
Previous PRC history of the term:
- 4月9日，李克强总理同欧洲理事会主席图斯克、欧盟委员会主席容克共同主持第二十一次中国—欧盟领导人会晤。双方积极评价中欧关系在各领域取得的进展，一致认为中国和欧盟在深化互利共赢的务实合作方面拥有广泛共同利益，在维护多边主义和开放型世界经济、反对单边主义和保护主义方面拥有共同立场，在完善全球治理、维护世界和平与稳定方面拥有共同目标。?
On April 9 [2019] , Premier Li Keqiang co-chaired the 21st China-EU Summit with President of the European Council Donald Tusk and President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker. The two sides commended the progress achieved in China-EU relations in various fields and agreed that China and the EU share extensive common interests in deepening mutually beneficial and practical cooperation, have common position in upholding multilateralism and an open world economy and opposing protectionism and unilateralism, and share common goals in terms of improving global governance and upholding world peace and stability.?
- ... 中国并非七十七国集团成员。作为最大的发展中国家，中国始终站在发展中国家一边，始终坚定维护发展中国家共同利益，为发展中国家发展提供力所能及的帮助，实现互利共赢，而不是像有些国家那样通过向发展中国家施压攫取私利。?
... China is not a member of the Group of 77. As the largest developing country, China always stands on the side of fellow developing countries, firmly upholds the common interests of the developing world, provides assistance to fellow developing countries to the best of our capability, and pursues win-win cooperation with them. Unlike some countries, we never pressure other developing countries for selfish interest.?
Today’s quote:
- ...所谓“对华依赖”，这就是个伪命题。因为合作从来都是互利的，依存从来都是相互的。
... the so-called “dependency on China” is a false narrative, because cooperation is mutually beneficial, and dependency is always mutual when it comes to business and trade.?
Previous PRC history of the term:
- 中德产业链由“互补”到“互融”，是市场规律和企业选择共同作用的结果，也是当代国际分工使然。依赖是相互的，炒作所谓“降低依赖性”是个伪命题。?
The fact that industrial chains of China and Germany have become integrated rather than mutually complementary only is the result of the combined force of the market and the choices of businesses and has been propelled by the contemporary international division of labor. Dependency is mutual. The notion of “reducing dependence” is a false narrative.?
- 所谓“一带一路”造成“债务陷阱”完全是个伪命题。“一带一路”倡议提出9年来，始终秉持共商共建共享原则，为有关国家人民带来了实实在在的利益。据世界银行测算，“一带一路”框架下的交通基础设施项目若全部得以实施，到2030年，每年将有望为全球产生1.6万亿美元收益，占全球GDP1.3%，其中90%由伙伴国分享，低收入和中低收入国家受益更多。?
To call the BRI a debt trap is a false narrative. For nine years since its inception, the BRI has followed the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits and delivered tangible benefits to partner countries and their peoples. According to World Bank forecast, if all BRI transport infrastructure projects are carried out, by 2030, the BRI will generate $1.6 trillion of revenues for the world, or 1.3% of global GDP. Up to 90% of the revenues will go to partner countries, and upper-middle- and low-income corridor economies are expected to benefit the most.?
Today’s quote:
- 日前，斯里兰卡外长萨布里表示，中方尊重斯方请求，从来没有胁迫斯贷款，中国以不同方式向斯提供大量金融支持和人道主义援助，“债务陷阱”只是西方的叙事。?
Sri Lankan Foreign Minster Ali Sabry said recently that China respected it when Sri Lanka went to China and sought funds and the Chinese never forced Sri Lanka to take money. He said that China also provided Sri Lanka with some financial facilities and credit line and also some humanitarian assistance, and that the “debt trap” is a western phrase.?
Previous PRC history of the term:
- 我们对萨布里外长有关表态表示欢迎，这是对外界一段时间以来炒作中国在斯里兰卡设置所谓“债务陷阱”的有力驳斥。我愿重申，中国对斯里兰卡援助从不附加任何政治条件，对斯投资融资从不谋取任何政治私利。中方对斯里兰卡当前面临的困难和挑战感同身受，支持有关金融机构同斯方协商并妥善解决问题。我们也一直在力所能及范围内为斯里兰卡经济社会发展提供帮助。?
We welcome Foreign Minister Ali Sabry’s remarks. This is a strong rebuttal to the narrative about so-called Chinese “debt trap” in Sri Lanka. I would like to reiterate that China’s assistance to Sri Lanka is never attached with any political strings, and we never seek any selfish political gains in China’s investment and financing in Sri Lanka. China fully relates to the difficulties and challenges faced by Sri Lanka and supports relevant financial institutions in discussing with Sri Lanka and properly resolving them. We have all along provided support to Sri Lanka’s socioeconomic development as long as our ability permits.?
- 他们还说中国的“一带一路”造成了“债务陷阱”。所谓“一带一路”造成“债务陷阱”完全是个伪命题。?
They said China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has led to debt trap. To call the BRI a debt trap is a false narrative.?
- 事实上，没有任何一个“一带一路”合作伙伴国家认可所谓“一带一路”造成“债务陷阱”的说法。事实上，美国才是“债务陷阱”的真正制造者，美国扩张性货币政策、缺乏监管的金融创新、恶意做空等行径，加剧发展中国家债务负担，对有关国家落入“债务陷阱”更是难辞其咎。?
In fact, no BRI partner has agreed to the so-called “debt trap” accusation. Rather, it is the US that should be held responsible for creating the “debt trap”. The US’s expansionary monetary policies, financial innovation with lax supervision and ill-intended short-selling are weighing down developing countries with debt burden and the very reason some countries have fallen into debt trap.?
- 近日老挝总理潘坎接受媒体采访，批驳了外界针对中老铁路的污蔑，强调所谓“中老铁路让老挝陷入债务陷阱”的言论完全是诽谤，表示中老铁路符合老挝人民的发展需要，将极大促进人员和贸易往来，为人民带来更多福祉。?
Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh of Laos in a recent interview rebuked smears targeting the China-Laos Railway, dismissing the allegation that the railway has led Laos into a debt trap as pure slander. He said the railway meets the development needs of the Lao people and will deliver greater benefits to them by giving a strong boost to personnel and trade exchange.?
Today’s quote:
- 台湾、新疆、香港事务纯属中国内政，不容外部势力指手画脚。?
Affairs related to Taiwan, Xinjiang and Hong Kong are purely China’s internal affairs, and we accept no finger-pointing from external forces.?
Previous PRC history of the term:
- 美方应正视自身在枪支暴力问题上恶劣的人权状况，采取切实行动控枪止暴，保护好美国人民的生命权，而不是到处对别的国家指手画脚，以人权为借口干涉别国内政。?
The US needs to face up to its poor human rights conditions regarding gun violence and take concrete actions on gun control to stop the violence and protect the American people’s right to life, rather than go around criticizing other countries and using human rights as a pretext to meddle in their internal affairs.?
- 铁的事实证明，美国自身存在诸如强迫劳动等严重的人权问题，根本没有资格充当“人权教师爷”对别国指手画脚，更不要说以“人权裁判官”自居，滥施单边非法制裁。?
Facts prove that the US, which has serious human rights problems such as forced labor, is in no position whatsoever to lecture other countries on human rights, still less posing as a human rights judge and adopting unilateral and illegal sanctions.?
- 个别国家政客惯于打着“宗教自由”的旗号对其他国家指手画脚、污蔑抹黑。?
Certain politicians are in the habit of using religious freedom as a pretext to criticize, discredit and smear other countries.?
- 美方官员从哪里来的底气、勇气和颜面对中国指手画脚？?
I wonder in what position the US officials are to criticize China in a patronizing and brazen manner??
Read in parallel: https://tinyurl.com/mr2nhjc3