After the failure of “wolf warrior diplomacy, debt trap diplomacy, new form of colonization and Muslim genocide in Xinjiang”, the United States and some allies were in need of a new narrative. A narrative which can help them to undermine China. The US did not disappoint its allies and provided them a new slogan of “balloon the spy” to run propaganda and malicious campaigns.
Now the US is tirelessly fanning up to make it a big issue. Politicians are not leaving any stone unturned to blame China, trying to use the incident to create opportunities for diplomatic and security conflicts. They are successful to some extent, as Secretary of State Antony Blinken has postponed his planned visit to China and more Chinese companies have been blacklisted. Although, the visit was important in the context of ongoing tough situation, but the cancellation is not a surprise.
Form the US reaction it is clear that situation has been further complicated. The analysis of events indicates that the US is preparing for a prolonged conflict with China. To achieve the objective, the US has adopted a new strategy, as, old strategies of intimidation have been failed miserably.
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Decades ago, the US and allies tried to use 1989 Beijing protest to pressurize China. They wanted to create a wedge between people of China and Communist of Party of China, but they failed. Second, they took intimidation to next level, which led to South China Sea air incident. Third, they have blatantly interfered in Hong Kong and presented rioters as heroes of democracy. It was a well calculated move to intimidate China and push its Hong Kong region to rebel against the Communist Party of China. Again, it failed, as overwhelming majority of Hong Kong people refused to buy the Western narrative. Then Ms Nancy Pelosi paid a high-profile visit to Taiwan of China in an ultimate move to drag Beijing into conflict. Fortunately, Beijing showed restrain and did not fall into the trap.
However, peace can only be achieved through inclusive development and social justice. Thus, world should put efforts to promote inclusive development and social justice for each and every human, without any distinction of race, religion, or color. The best way to do so is cooperation.
Shakeel Ahmad Ramay
From here, after the backlash of Nancy Pelosi visit, the US changed its strategy in containing China. Those anti-Beijing elements were desperate to find ways to impose conflict on China, and came up with the idea of using a civilian aircraft to create fuss and try to pave a way for conflict. It was identified as a starting point.
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The US is presenting the accidentally wayward balloon as gross violation of national sovereignty and has started to build momentum against China, waging a new propaganda and malicious campaign against China with loudspeakers of Western media. The US feels it is good chance to convert the incidents into conflict.
It seems the US and allies are hell bent to start a conflict with China, as all other options to contain China have been exhausted. Right now, China is showing restraint and is not falling into the trap. However, it does not impact the determination of the US and allies. The US military-industrial complex is really pushing, as the complex sees it as excellent opportunity to fulfill their dream of containing China. So, they are assertive and are asking politicians and President Joe Biden administration to convert the incident into more actions against China. They have also deployed usual instruments of narrative building like so called independent think-tanks and liberal media houses.
Peace-loving people and countries are disturbed and are asking the US not to blow it up further. World is already full of problems, conflicts, and wars already, mostly beyond the capacity of any individual country or group of countries like EU or US-led NATO.
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Thus, it would be wise to resolve this non-issue in a peaceful way. It is not an option, but a need of the time. There is need of cooperation among all and there are many avenues and programs for countries to work together, such as the United Nations, sustainable development goals etc.
China has also presented two unique ideas; 1) Global Development Initiative (GDI) and 2) Global Security Initiative (GSI) to build the cooperation. The initiatives have been designed to achieve the goals of global development and sustainable peace. These two initiatives have all the ingredients which can help our world to sort out their problems and pave a way for sustainable peace.
For that purpose, powerful countries need to come out of mentality of self-interest. They have to say goodbye to slogans of my country first and my way is the best way. They need to realize and comprehend that world is home to diversity in term of culture, governance, economy, and social behaviors. Therefore, no single system or country can take care of everyone’s needs. We need to give space to diversity and promote culture of respect.
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In the conclusion, we as human and countries must absorb that we are a closely knitted community of human beings and the planet. We are dependent on each other, in one way or other way. Therefore, the best way to ensure peaceful coexistence, we must learn to respect each other.
We must believe that peace is pre-requisite for sustainability of humanity and planet. However, peace can only be achieved through inclusive development and social justice. Thus, world should put efforts to promote inclusive development and social justice for each and every human, without any distinction of race, religion, or color. The best way to do so is cooperation.
The author, a political economist, is CEO of the Asian Institute of Eco-civilization Research and Development in Pakistan, and author of book "Understanding of China for Future Cooperation".
The views do not necessarily reflect those of China Daily.