China and the West: A Crossroads

In the past year, Chinese engagement with the rest of the world has noticeably become tense. Many countries are now openly expressing disagreement with China, something the CCP has not been taking kindly. How has Chinese engaged with the rest of the world changed over the course of the Pandemic? We can look at China’s evolving engagement with the United Kingdom and Australia to answer this question.

First, let’s look at the UK and China. The most recent conflict to note is that the UK is changing their extradition deal with Hong Kong to prevent the extradited being sent to China. This decision is supported by Australia and Canada. The UK also offered asylum to Hong Kong refugees, and China accused the UK of “brutal meddling”. Further adding to China’s frustrations, the UK accuses China of Human Rights Violations due to footage of blindfolded Uighur muslims being loaded onto trains. China’s envoy to the UK denied the existence of camps, claiming the footage was a “prisoner transfer”. The UK expressed that they “[…] want a positive relationship with China but […] can’t see behaviour like that and not call it out.” While the UK is taking a slow approach, Australia is already feeling the consequences.

Tensions between Australia and China run high already due to a few decisions made by both parties. Australia has attempted to rally the international community into starting an inquiry into the Chinese response and clarity to the virus, seperate from those being conducted by WHO. Their image is already damaged by international suspicion and, of course, being the source of the virus. This has some speculating that China’s sanctions are deliberately retaliatory. China is imposing economic tariffs on beef and barley from Australia, potentially done as retaliation for Australia’s explicit call to action. The Australian government has stated that they will not “bend a knee”, despite how heavily Australia relies on trade with China. Australia will hold China accountable, and is putting these political priorities before their economic priorities.

Countries seem to be taking different stances against China. From simply denouncing, to economic sanctions and open threats, China, the UK, and Australia are managing the conflict differently. Countries are taking action out of a feeling of necessity, not outright aggression. Likewise, China is seemingly retaliating when other countries “meddle” in their affairs, but have not explicitly instigated anything as of yet.

– Alejandro M. Garcia

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Works Cited:

“China Says Australia Is the Cause of Trade Tensions. From Huawei to Coronavirus, Here’s How Relations Soured.” ABC News, 7 June 2020, www.abc.net.au/news/2020-06-07/australia-china-racism-coronavirus-how-did-relationship-get-here/12330250.

Scott, Jason, and James Mayger. “Australia Takes Tougher Stance on China as Trade Booms.” Bloomberg.com, Bloomberg, 16 July 2020, www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-07-16/australia-takes-tougher-stance-on-china-as-trade-booms.

“UK Accuses China of ‘Gross’ Human Rights Abuses against Uighurs.” BBC News, BBC, 19 July 2020, www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-53463403.

“UK to Change Extradition Deal with Hong Kong – PM.” BBC News, BBC, 20 July 2020, www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-53463405.