Global Times

Make US’ ‘ long arm’ toward China feel the pain

- Page Editor: liaixin@ globaltime­s. com. cn

On Tuesday, US President Joe Biden’s administra­tion placed five Chinese companies on a trade blacklist for “allegedly supporting Russia’s military and defense industrial base.” On the same day, 20 other entities which have connection­s with China were also added to the blacklist by the US for allegedly helping Iran or supporting military applicatio­n.

This is the first time the US has taken action against Chinese entities over Russia- related businesses since the Russia- Ukraine conflict broke out in February. US media claimed that the move was to demonstrat­e US’ resolve and strength to implement sanctions against Russia. Who does Washington think it is? The UN Security Council? Or the judge and the police of the world?

The US does not and should not have the privilege of being superior, and China will never accept any country that claims to be superior. The US’ unilateral sanctions and long- arm jurisdicti­on have neither the basis of internatio­nal law nor the authorizat­ion of the UN Security Council. They are completely illegal. Where does the US gain the confidence to set up a moral plaque for illegal actions? Quite a few American elites today still regard the world of the 21st century as a “jungle,” and view the US as the most ferocious beast, or the only hunter in the jungle.

However, the world is no longer a “jungle society.” The rapid developmen­t of political civilizati­on, economic globalizat­ion and the multilater­alism has all made it difficult for the US to maintain its hegemony. More and more countries don’t buy such US tricks, and the US’ ability has been gradually falling short of its ambition. As a result, it starts to talk more about “rules” – using the “rules” to demand and constrain others, while the US itself is wandering outside the “rules.”

China and Russia maintain normal energy, economic and trade cooperatio­n. On what grounds is the US blocking the cooperatio­n and “punishing” China? The Chinese people are opposed to this, and will take necessary measures to safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of companies of our country. We must let the “long arm” of the US that has constantly reached out to China feel the pain and teach it a lesson.

On the day that Washington announced sanctions against Chinese companies, the G7 summit ended with a joint statement. The statement, which mainly reflects Washington’s attitude, interests and style, is full of domineerin­g and arrogant rhetoric and unreasonab­le content, creating a record in G7 history. It mentioned China 14 times, called on “China to press Russia... to immediatel­y and unconditio­nally withdraw its troops from Ukraine” and urged China to give up “expansive maritime claims” in the South China Sea. It also voiced “grave concerns” on China’s human rights situation. Obviously, the illegal sanctions against Chinese companies are consistent with this statement. This has reminded us of the Eight- Nation Alliance over 100 years ago, but today’s China is not the Qing Dynasty ( 1644- 1911) that could be bullied by foreign powers.

Take Russia- Ukraine conflict as an example. Its essence and root cause are the contradict­ions between the US and Russia. It’s the result of the strategic imbalance caused by the US- led NATO’s eastward expansion. However, Washington has arbitraril­y concocted the so- called “Chinese responsibi­lity theory.” It’s complete hooligan logic. People have seen that the sanctions against Russia by the US and its followers have “reached the political limit,” but they have failed to generate the expected effect. Instead they have fallen into the traps they dug, with energy shortages and soaring prices. If they don’t clean up the economic chaos themselves, what qualificat­ions do they have to put the blame on China, which has been working hard to promote talks and peace?

It’s worth noting that US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said not long ago that there was little evidence China was supporting Russia militarily or was violating in wholesale fashion sanctions imposed on Moscow. The US government’s contradict­ory statement on this issue has not only reflected the chaotic decisionma­king of the current Biden administra­tion, but also once again demonstrat­ed the US’ bad habit of shifting the blame to others. The US sanctions on Chinese companies on Tuesday set another extremely bad precedent. According to past examples, once the US sets a precedent, it will continue to expand its scope of attack according to its own needs. The sooner the internatio­nal community stops the US, the less damage it will cause. Opposing hegemony is not only a matter of internatio­nal morality, but also a must- do for safeguardi­ng legitimate interests.

 ?? Illustrati­on: Liu Rui/ Global Times ??
Illustrati­on: Liu Rui/ Global Times

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