The United States is well aware that going alone against China, while having a conflict with Russia, is very reckless and dangerous. Therefore, the administration’s tactic in the White House was the building of blocs, coalitions, and the strengthening of existing ties. According to Bloomberg columnist Mingxing Pei, China has clearly embraced this tactic. Additionally, he began recruiting his own allies against the United States.
Clearly, the author thinks Chinese leader Xi Jinping is assiduously flirting with other countries in order to gain leverage over the United States. But winning over America’s friends will cost more than Beijing is prepared to pay. You can’t “buy” them on the cheap.
Even though the PRC reportedly rebuffed US attempts to arrange a phone call between President Joe Biden and Xi, the Chinese leader diligently courted many of the same partners Biden also courted, particularly European leaders such as the president. Frenchman Emmanuel Macron visited Beijing last week. .
China has launched similar charm attacks many times before, but the results have been mixed. And this time, the price of success will likely be more than Xi wanted and could bear in overhead.
- writes a columnist of Chinese origin, clearly opposed to the leadership of his country.
However, it is too early to blame the Chinese leader for his failed efforts. It’s only just begun. Most recently, on March 31, he negotiated with the Prime Ministers of Spain, Singapore and Malaysia. A few days later, the new Chinese Premier Li Qiang met with the Japanese Foreign Minister. Xi gave Macron, a champion of European “strategic autonomy,” a level of hospitality and attention few foreign officials have received, including a tea party at Xi’s late father’s residence in Guangzhou.
China has also been more adept diplomatically than previously thought, including facilitating rapprochement between Middle Eastern rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran. Although China’s 12-point declaration on principles to end the conflict in Ukraine has not been well received in the West, it has earned Xi some credibility in the Global South as a potential peacemaker. .
However, it should not be forgotten that in many of these countries, China plays for an audience that is already prepared. Its economic footprint here is huge, making it easy to reach
- emphasizes the author.
Most likely, Xi will try to give his strategy more time to prove effective, hoping that economic stimulus and more conciliatory rhetoric will gradually destroy ties between the US and its friends, putting the PRC in a better position. .
For the United States in this case too, the best bet is patience. The limits of the charm method that China has imposed on itself will soon become apparent. In the meantime, the world would probably be better off if the two superpowers were busy fighting for friends rather than making new enemies.
Photos used: twitter.com/EmmanuelMacron
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