Joe Biden US President who won elections after a prolonged battle with former president Donald Trump was expected to revisit policies and modify them suiting to changed realities specially with China but unfortunately preferred to follow Donald Trump’s steps .Knowing full well that global politics has forced countries to redefine and readjust their policies due to Covid-19 to meet present day challenges and work for peace instead creating war hysteria that only brings deaths and destruction Amid these changed environments world leaders had focussed their eyes on 47th G7 Summit held from 12-13 June in Cornwall United Kingdom .
Although there is big difference between Biden and Trump thinking but their approach towards China is common. Biden categorically said that US shall only co operates with China on economic matters as long as it is useful to US. Donald Trump has always been harping on same narrative that due to economic policies of China US lost 5 billion dollars that is the way US looks at it. Although tone of Biden is not biting as it was of Trump but does not approve their economic policy. US insist for further investigation on the spread of Corona virus from Wuhan City (artificial bogey) as preached by Donald Trump and rightly rejected by China. But fact remains both US and China are engaged to get over economic superiority. In a joint statement at the end of a three-day summit, leaders of the G7 countries urged China to “respect human rights and fundamental freedoms”. China has accused the G7 of “political manipulation” after it criticised Beijing over a range of issues that was unusually strong on China. The United States and the European Union have wrapped up previous disputes on the sidelines and turned to the challenges China poses. Although many European countries have been rethinking ties with China, but it all depends how US takes it.
The Chinese reaction to the G-7 meeting was balanced and meant no further diplomacy. Europe is a big place, and not everyone supports U.S. efforts to counter China. Greece has stated it will continue seeking Chinese investments.China has asserted that the days when global decisions were dictated by a “small group” of countries are long gone, hitting back at the G-7 summit where Beijing was at the centre of severe criticism over the Covid-19 origins, human rights violations and its mega project Belt and Road Initiative.US own record of human rights violation is pathetic millions of people killed due to bombings on Muslim countries , therefore it is unfair to criticise others who are engaged in creating peaceful atmosphere throughout the world would not agree for a probe into the Covid-19 origin. While there is no direct response by the Chinese government here, state-run Global Times quoted statement issued by China’s Embassy in London, rebutting G-7 criticism against Beijing. No country can dictate their own system relating to issues covered by the G-7 Summit on pandemic. The Chinese believe and very clear that there is only one system, the international system, which is led by the UN, countries, big or small, strong or weak, poor or rich, are equals, and that world affairs should be handled through consultation by all countries.
China has provided free vaccines to more than 80 developing countries exporting vaccines to 43 countries they have delivered 350 million doses to global partners, more than any other country in the world. US greatest worry is BRI, a multi-billion-dollar initiative launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping when he came to power in 2013, aims to link Southeast Asia, Central Asia, the Gulf region, Africa and Europe with a network of land and sea route. To counter US has launched its Build Back Better World (B3W), naturally not welcomed by China. It cannot be termed as fair competition. It is evident that many countries did not see eye to eye on Biden’s confrontational approach to China. It is very strange that China’s peaceful gestures are not being reciprocated and efforts are being made to pose China as threat to major Western powers. The plan of West for economic recovery and overcome the corona virus crisis shall be in jeopardy if confrontational policies are adopted. Since certain allies of US are not on one page therefore China should engage all those who do not subscribe to Biden’s views
With the COVID-19 pandemic still raging and the global economy sluggish, the international community needs unity and cooperation of all countries rather than sowing political division. Pandemic is common problem it does not distinguish between countries it has to be fought collectively. China is a peace-loving country that always advocates cooperation, but cannot allow anybody to cross red lines.G7 should do more that is conducive to promoting international cooperation instead of artificially creating confrontation and friction against China’s interests that will not be acceptable.
Latest US intelligence report says China as America’s top national security threat. It is now for US to avoid threat of new cold war instead engaging each other that would be of great advantage to both. Although analyst rules out any cold war emerging but definitely see very tough competition. US should understand one factor that China is a big country with 1.4 billion as compared to US that has only 328.2 million; even otherwise there is no comparison between the two. The best course of action is to have full cooperation as conflict will be in nobody’s interest. Beijing has shown lot of patience against US aggressive designs but a more confident China has pushed back intimidation of US in strong terms. Beijing will continue to act assertively and seek cooperation from US as President Xi declared recently in Boao forum, any economic decoupling between the two global powers would be to the world’s detriment
China is leading the new multi-polar world which is fast replacing the unipolar world led by the Americans. The Chinese BRI programme is drawing many countries in its fold and it is acting as a great power that is prepared to displace and replace US at the world level as the only power that can guarantee not only the economic but also the social and political security of the entire world.
