The Minister for Foreign Affairs of China – Wang Yi and his counterpart, the Minister of Foreign affairs of the Russian Federation
The Minister for Foreign Affairs of China – Wang Yi told his counterpart, the Minister of Foreign affairs of the Russian Federation – Sergey Lavrov that United States (U.S.) has lost its mind, morals and credibility.
In a telephonic conversation today, i.e., Saturday, July 18, 2020, Wang Yi expressed desire of working with Russia on global issues such as Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and regional security.
Accusing the U.S. of ‘America First policy, Wang Yi said, “The US has bluntly pursued its ‘America first’ policy, pushing egoism, unilateralism and bullying to the limit, and that’s not what a great power should be about.”
He further added, “The US, which has resorted to extreme measures and even created hotspots and confrontations in international relationships, has lost its mind, morals and credibility.”
Clearing its stand, he mentioned that China will never let a small group of anti-China forces take the lead but will firmly defend its reasonable interests and dignity. He blamed the U.S. of trying to discredit other nations.
As far as China-Russia relations are concerned, Wang Yi informed the Russian Minister that the former wants to maintain the momentum of communication at every level, and deepen anti-pandemic and practical cooperation while strengthening strategic coordination on major international and regional affairs. He also stated that China and Russia should work together with other countries to oppose the moves of U.S., that are not in the interest of the international order.
Russia agreed to what China said and opposed unilateralism. The Russian Minister said that U.S. has disrupted many economies by threatening them with sanctions.
It is to be noted that China – U.S., relations, which were already soured by the ongoing trade war, have hit the all time low now. Issues ranging from U.S. accusing China for the COVID-19 outbreak, the Uyghur Muslim detention camps in China, U.S. opposing China’s move of imposing National Security Bill on Hong Kong and China’s claim over the South China Sea, have kept the relations between the 2 super powers sour.
Recently, the President of U.S. – Donald Trump signed into law the Hong Kong Autonomy Act, a bipartisan bill passed with overwhelming support in both houses of Congress that bars Hong Kong of its special trading status with the US. It is a counter strike by U.S. after China imposed National Security Law on Hong Kong. The contradictory law has too much China interference and curtails protest and freedom of speech. Some of the key provisions of the law include:
• Hong Kong will have to establish its own national security commission to enforce the laws, with a Beijing-appointed adviser
• The Chief Executive, the supreme leader of Hong Kong will have the power to appoint judges to hear national security cases, raising fears about judicial autonomy
• China will establish a new security office in Hong Kong, with its own law enforcement personnel, neither of which would come under the local authority’s jurisdiction
• This office can send some cases to be tried in mainland China
• Crimes of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces are punishable by a maximum sentence of life in prison
• Damaging public transport facilities can be considered terrorism
• Those found guilty will not be allowed to stand for public office
• Companies can be fined if convicted under the law
• Most importantly, China will have power over how the law should be interpreted and not any Hong Kong judicial or policy body
• People suspected of breaking the law can be wire-tapped and put under surveillance
• Management of foreign non-governmental organisations and news agencies will be strengthened
• The law will also apply to non-permanent residents and people from outside Hong Kong, who are not permanent residents of Hong Kong
At the same, what’s noteworthy is China is likely to retaliate with sanctions and lobbying against U.S.
