Bochen (JuanP) China:
“China's Indo-Pacific Neighbors Stand Up To Its Hegemonic Ambitions”
https://www.theepochtimes.com/chinas-ne ... 47202.html“After finding itself cornered over the handling of the novel coronavirus, appropriately named the “CCP virus,” China is embracing an offensive mode globally. The Chinese foreign ministry has now instructed its ambassadors to aggressively defend its interests and reputation, even if at the cost of diplomatic niceties. Following what has been named “wolf warrior” diplomacy, these diplomats are now actively pushing the Chinese regime’s agenda by employing the tools of attacks, fake news, propaganda, and conspiracy theories. However, countries around the world, instead of being cowed down, are now standing up to this diplomatic offensive and China’s hegemonic ambitions… Australia, which for years, has had a prosperous trade relationship with China and flourishing people-to-people contact, is now willing to take on the growing brazenness from Beijing… However, as Beijing continues to push the envelope, Jakarta has demonstrated that it’s no longer willing to be a docile witness to the former’s antics… Re-alignment caused by the Chinese aggressiveness is not just limited to its neighbors. In Europe, which has been touted by Beijing as the continent receiving the windfall from China’s ambitious infrastructure connectivity project, the Belt and Road Initiative, the consensus is emerging to counter China. Most recently, a new coalition of legislators from 16 European countries and the European Union was set up called the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China… This push on political issues is matched by a growing squeeze on Chinese technology companies, which for years have had free rein in markets around the world by offering cheaper low-quality alternatives—hardware and software. However, it appears that Beijing’s hegemonic pursuits may have been nipped in the bud. Following India’s ban of more than 50 Chinese apps, the United States is contemplating a similar move. Besides, the United States, the UK, too, has made up its mind, as evident from its decision to exclude Huawei from its 5G network. France, too, is taking steps to restrict Huawei’s role in its telecom network. Even as the global community is united in its response to tackling the mess created by the CCP virus pandemic, Beijing is evidently on a different trip as its actions in Ladakh, the South China Sea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong demonstrate. U.S. officials have already described China as the "most dangerous military rival.” Unless Beijing takes steps to correct its mistakes, dial down its rhetoric, and address the disputes, it’s likely that this growing surge of anti-China sentiment may turn into a tsunami.”
