Geopolitical confrontation, geopolitical competition, and the Three Observations (on Ukraine)
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:
王毅外长在纽约联合国总部强调，加沙冲突不应该被边缘化，同样需要国际社会予以重视。?
As Foreign Minister Wang Yi stressed at the U.N. headquarters in New York, the Gaza conflict should not be sidelined and requires adequate international attention.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on February 19, 2025)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 中国历来主张非洲不应被边缘化。在中非合作蓬勃发展起来后，其他大国也把目光重新投向非洲，中方对此表示欢迎。希望各方都像中国一样，加大对非重视，增加对非投入，支持非洲发展。我们也愿意在尊重非方意愿基础上，开展更多三方合作、多方合作。?
China always holds that Africa should not be marginalized. While China-Africa cooperation thrives, other major countries have again turned their eyes to Africa. China welcomes that. We hope that, like China, all sides will pay greater attention to Africa and increase input to support Africa’s development. China stands ready for more trilateral and multilateral cooperation on the basis of respecting the will of Africa.? (Wang Yi Meets the Press_2024_03_07)?
?? 巴以局势升温再度提醒世人，巴勒斯坦问题不应被边缘化。?
The escalating Palestine-Israel situation once again reminds us that the Palestine question should not be marginalized.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on April 18, 2022)?
?? 原住民长期遭受歧视、被边缘化，甚至无法见到预约的医生。他们缺乏自来水、健康食品和基本公用设施，相关医疗机构资金严重不足。?
The Indigenous people suffer from persistent “discrimination, marginalization, inability to see preferred clinicians, and systemic underfunding” of relevant medical services, as well as lack of access to running water, healthy food and basic public utilities.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on April 6, 2022)?
?? 巴勒斯坦问题不应被边缘化，更不应被世界遗忘。?
The Palestinian issue should not be marginalized, still less should it fall into oblivion.? (Xi_Jinping_Speech_Work Together for a Bright Future of China-Arab Relations_共同开创中阿关系的美好未来_2016_01_21)
Today’s quote:
中国同马来西亚等国的免签安排成效显著，“澜湄签证”正式落地。?
The visa-free arrangement between China and other countries, including Malaysia, has produced remarkable results, and the “Lancang-Mekong visa” policy was officially launched.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on February 19, 2025)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 中国同泰国、马来西亚、新加坡、老挝等国的免签安排成效显著，“澜湄签证”正式落地。?
Visa-free arrangement between China and Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore and Laos produced remarkable results, and the “Lancang-Mekong visa” policy was officially implemented.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on November 18, 2024)
与此同时，加沙地区严峻的人道局势也需要国际社会持续关注和加大支持。近期，中国政府通过约旦向加沙提供了紧急人道援助物资，包含6万个食品包，首批约1.2万个食品包已经启运。中国作为负责任大国，将继续同国际社会一道，为缓解加沙人道危机、实现中东长治久安作出不懈努力。?
Meanwhile, the severe humanitarian situation in Gaza also needs greater and continuous attention and support from the international community. Recently, the Chinese government has provided Gaza with humanitarian emergency aid, consisting of 60,000 food parcels, which will be transported from Jordan. The initial shipment, which includes about 12,000 food parcels, was sent out. As a responsible major country, China will continue to work with the international community to make relentless efforts for the deescalation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the lasting peace and security in the Middle East.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on February 19, 2025)
坚持以友好协商的亚洲方式妥善处理和化解分歧是中国同东盟国家发展关系的宝贵经验。?
What China takes away from growing its relations with ASEAN is to properly handle and solve differences through the Asian Way of friendly consultation.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on February 19, 2025)
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Terms to note from the PRC Ministry of Foreign Affairs press conference from [2025.2.18]
Event quote:
叙利亚应坚定反对任何形式的恐怖主义和极端势力。我们注意到，各方普遍认为当前情况下，解除联合国安理会1267委员会涉叙利亚相关组织及其骨干成员制裁的条件不具备，中方也持严重保留态度。我们敦促叙利亚新政权采取切实举措，积极回应包括中方在内的国际社会的反恐关切。?
Syria must firmly opposes all forms of terrorist and extremist forces. We noted it is widely believed that currently, conditions are not yet ready for removing the relevant Syrian organization and its key members from the sanctions list of the UN Security Council’s 1267 Committee, and China also has serious reservations about this. We urge the new Syrian authorities to take concrete measures to actively respond to the concerns of the international community, including China, regarding terrorism.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on February 18, 2025)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 安理会1267委员会作为重要的国际反恐机制，根据安理会决议授权，将恐怖分子或组织列入制裁清单，有利于加强国际反恐合作，共同应对恐怖主义威胁。。。。我们还要指出的是，安理会1267委员会就恐怖组织或个人的列名及程序有明确规范。中方一贯严格根据委员会规则和程序，以建设性、负责任的态度参与1267委员会工作。?
As an important international counter-terrorism mechanism, the 1267 Committee of the Security Council is mandated by the UN body’s resolution to put terrorists or terrorist organizations on its sanctions list, which is conducive to strengthening international counter-terrorism cooperation and the joint fight against terrorist threats.? ... It also needs to be pointed out that the committee has clear guidelines regarding the designation of terrorist organizations and individuals and related procedures. China takes part in the work of the committee in a constructive and responsible manner in strict accordance with these rules and procedures.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on January 17, 2023)?
?? 安理会1267委员会就恐怖组织或个人的列名及程序有明确规范。中方一贯严格根据委员会规则和程序，以建设性、负责任的态度参与1267委员会工作。我们希望其他成员也能这样做。?
The committee [1267 Committee of the UN Security Council] has clear guidelines regarding the designation of terrorist organizations and individuals and related procedures. China always takes part in the work of the committee in a constructive and responsible manner in strict accordance with these rules and procedures. We hope other members will do the same.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on August 11, 2022)?
?? 中方强调，“东伊运”是联合国安理会1267委员会列名的恐怖组织，一直活动猖獗，不仅严重危害中国的安全稳定，也是国际社会的现实威胁。?
The Chinese side stressed that the ETIM is a terrorist organization listed by the 1267 Committee of the UN Security Council. Its rampant activities not only seriously endanger China’s security and stability, but also pose a real threat to the international community.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on December 23, 2021)
Event quote:
我们希望各方能够共同解决危机的根源性问题，找到均衡、有效、可持续的安全架构，实现欧洲的长治久安。与此同时，我们始终认为，亚太地区是各国发展的高地，而不应成为地缘政治对抗的棋局。?
We hope that parties will work together to address the root cause of the [Ukraine] crisis, establish a balanced, effective and sustainable security architecture and realize lasting peace in Europe. In the meanwhile, we believe that the Asia-Pacific is a stellar example of development, rather than a chessboard of geopolitical confrontation.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on February 18, 2025)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 印方官员无端炒作所谓“中国军事威胁”，严重违反两国领导人关于中印“互不构成威胁”的战略指引，煽动地缘政治对抗，是不负责任的，也是危险的，我们对此表示坚决反对，并向印方提出严正交涉。?
The Indian official played up the so-called "China military threat" groundlessly. It runs counter to the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries that China and India pose no threat to each other. These irresponsible words can only incite geopolitical confrontation and are very dangerous. China firmly opposes that and has lodged solemn representations with the Indian side.? (Regular Press Conference of the Ministry of National Defense on November 25, 2021)
?? 一段时间来，美方在售台武器、加强美台官方军事联系等方面消极动作不断，包括出台7.5亿美元售台武器计划，美军机降落台湾岛，军舰频频过航台湾海峡等，持续在南海和中国周边兴风作浪、炫耀武力，人为挑动地缘政治对抗，充分暴露了美国是地区和平稳定破坏者、团结合作搅局者、麻烦制造者的真实面目。?
For some time, the US has been making negative moves by selling arms to Taiwan and strengthening its official and military ties with Taiwan, including the launch of a $750 million arms sale plan to Taiwan, the landing of US military aircraft in Taiwan and frequent sailing of US warships across the Taiwan Strait. The US has been stirring up trouble, flexing muscles in the South China Sea and China’s neighboring areas and stoking geopolitical confrontation. This has fully revealed that the US is a troublemaker, a saboteur of regional peace and stability, and a spoiler of solidarity and cooperation.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on October 14, 2021)
Event quote:
中国到拉美开展投资经贸合作，从来不搞所谓地缘政治竞争，也从来不搞所谓势力范围那一套。?
In economic, trade and investment cooperation with Latin America, China never seeks so-called geopolitical competition or resorts to the tricks of carving out spheres of influence.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on February 18, 2025)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 我想强调，中国在中东地区没有任何私利，尊重中东国家主人翁地位，反对在中东搞地缘政治竞争，无意也不会去填补所谓“真空”或搞排他小圈子。?
I want to stress that China pursues no selfish interest whatsoever in the Middle East. We respect the stature of Middle East countries as the masters of this region and oppose geopolitical competition in the Middle East. China has no intention to and will not seek to fill so-called vacuum or put up exclusive blocs.? (Foreign Ministry Spokesperson’s Remarks on Saudi Arabia-Iran Talks in Beijing_2023_03_11)?
?? 中方反对谋求单方面军事优势、损害他国安全、加剧地缘政治竞争、渲染对立对抗、破坏国际安全秩序和全球战略稳定的行为。?
China opposes the moves to seek unilateral military advantage, undermine others’ security, escalate geopolitical competition, hype up opposition and confrontation, and undermine international security order and global strategic stability.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on February 10, 2022)
Event quote:
无论国际形势如何变化，中方始终为和平奔走，为促谈努力，事实和形势的发展也再次证明，习近平主席提出的“四个应该”“三点思考”等原则主张客观公正、理性务实。中方将继续以此为遵循，为政治解决危机、实现和平发挥建设性作用。中方和全球南方国家共同发起的“和平之友”小组，也将继续汇聚劝和促谈的共识。?
No matter how the international landscape evolves, China has always been working vigorously to facilitate talks for peace. Facts and the development of the situation have once again proven that the principles and propositions put forward by President Xi Jinping, including the four points about what must be done and the three observations, are objective, impartial, rational, and pragmatic. We will continue to follow these principles and play a constructive role in the political settlement of the crisis and the realization of peace. The “Friends of Peace” group, initiated by China and other members of the Global South, will continue to build consensus for promoting peace talks.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on February 18, 2025)?
Previous PRC history of the term:
?? 你提到今天中方发布的《关于政治解决乌克兰危机的中国立场》，我想首先向大家介绍一下这个文件。习近平主席提出的“四个应该”“四个共同”和“三点思考”，是中方处理乌克兰问题的根本遵循。?
On China’s Position on the Political Settlement of the Ukraine Crisis released earlier today, let me briefly go over the document. President Xi Jinping has put forward four principles, called for joint efforts in four areas and shared three observations on Ukraine, which outline China’s fundamental approach to the issue.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on February 24, 2023)?
?? 乌克兰危机爆发以来，习近平主席提出“四个应该”“四个共同”“三点思考”，为推动政治解决乌克兰危机指明了正确方向。?
After the outbreak of the Ukraine crisis, President Xi Jinping put forward four principles, called for joint efforts in four areas and shared three observations on Ukraine, which point the right way forward for promoting the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on February 24, 2023)?
?? 习近平主席提出“四个应该”“四个共同”“三点思考”，深刻指出冲突战争没有赢家，复杂问题没有简单答案，大国对抗必须避免，为缓和局势、推动政治解决危机指明了正确方向。?
President Xi Jinping outlined the four principles, called for joint efforts in four areas and shared three observations on Ukraine. He noted perceptively that conflicts and wars produce no winner; there is no simple solution to a complex issue; and confrontation between major countries must be avoided. This points the right way forward for the deescalation of tensions and political settlement of the crisis.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on February 24, 2023)?
?? 在乌克兰问题上，中方始终站在和平一边，始终坚持习近平主席提出的“四个应该”“四个共同”“三点思考”，秉持客观公正立场，积极劝和促谈。?
On the Ukraine issue, China always stands on the side of peace. We have followed the four principles, called for joint efforts in four areas and shared three observations on Ukraine as outlined by President Xi Jinping, taken an objective and just position, and worked actively to promote peace talks.? (Foreign Ministry Regular Press Conference on February 22, 2023)
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