Conflicts: China: Escalation with the USA would have “catastrophic consequences”

The sound gets rougher. First, head of state and party leader Xi Jinping accuses the US and the West of wanting to prevent China’s rise in the world.

A little later, at his first press conference in Beijing, his new foreign minister, Qin Gang, warned of “catastrophic consequences” if the United States “don’t step on the brakes and continue to follow the wrong path.” Then “no amount of guard rails” would be able to prevent a “derailment” from occurring, “which leads to conflict and confrontation”.

The international environment for China has “changed dramatically,” Xi Jinping complained to delegates of the Consultative Conference, an advisory body, during the annual session of the People’s Congress. “Western countries in particular, led by the US, are pursuing all-out containment, encirclement and suppression of China, posing unprecedented severe challenges for China’s development.” The head of state does not usually speak so openly.

What is China outraged about?

The allegation by the USA in the Ukraine war that China could supply weapons to Russia has greatly angered Beijing. Also that China, as a friend of Russia, has a special responsibility to influence its friend, Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“China didn’t create the crisis. It’s not a party in the crisis and didn’t supply weapons to either side,” says Qin Gang. “Why on earth should China be blamed or even sanctioned or threatened? This is completely unacceptable.”

But what exactly is China proposing?

Apart from a general call for a ceasefire and peace talks, China takes no initiative. The “legitimate security interests of all parties” are immediately mentioned. With this formulation, China always makes it clear that it backs Russian interests.

Russia is never portrayed as an aggressor in China. No, the conflict is essentially “an outbreak of problems” in the security architecture in Europe, says the foreign minister, meaning NATO.

China’s position paper disappointed

Qin Gang once again refers to the Chinese position paper on the Ukraine war presented in February, which calls for respect for sovereignty, an end to a “Cold War mentality”, a ceasefire and the resumption of peace negotiations. It had disappointed internationally – also because it did not even provide for the withdrawal of Russian troops from occupied areas in Ukraine.

China laments that efforts for peace talks are being undermined. From the US? “There seems to be an invisible hand pushing for the conflict to protract and escalate, using the Ukraine crisis to advance a specific geopolitical agenda,” says Qin Gang.

“Either hostilities cease, peace is restored and the process of a peaceful settlement begins – or more fuel is poured on the fire and the crisis spreads and spirals out of control,” says the minister, referring to the arms shipments to Ukraine.

That’s what China is really about

Whether it’s Ukraine or the rivalry with the US – for China everything revolves around Taiwan. Qin Gang compares US arms deliveries to the democratic island republic with arms aid to Ukraine. In Ukraine, the US talks about protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, but in Taiwan it supports secessionist forces, he argues.

China wants to “work towards peaceful reunification,” but reserves the right to “take all necessary measures,” the minister said. China regards Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic and ultimately threatens conquest if “reunification” cannot be achieved otherwise. However, Taiwan was never part of the communist People’s Republic founded in 1949 and has long considered itself independent.

Beijing sees wrong game of the USA

By viewing China as the main adversary and the most serious geopolitical challenge, US China policy has deviated from the “rational path,” says the Secretary of State. Although Washington speaks of competition, in reality it wants to suppress China in all areas.

“If an athlete, instead of concentrating on doing their best, is always trying to outsmart or even injure the other, then that is not a fair competition, but a malicious confrontation and foul play.”

China is firmly on Russia’s side

In the geopolitical rivalry with the US, China is making a joint front with its “strategic partner” Russia. Qin Gang praises the relationship as a “model for new international relations”. It is not an alliance and not directed confrontationally against third parties. “The more turbulent the world is, the more steadily Russian-Chinese relations should progress.”

And what about Europe?

China wants to drive a wedge between Europe and the US. The Germans and other Europeans are courted and asked to become more independent. “We hope that Europe, which has endured the suffering of the war in Ukraine, will learn from its pain and achieve genuine strategic autonomy and long-term stability,” says Qin Gang, calling for conciliatory cooperation.

Xinhua, Chinese Xinhua to People’s Congress