Wang Yi and the “Ghost of McCarthyism”

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (王毅) has been getting what seems to be a clear uptick in attention in China’s party-state media ever since his launch late last month of a new “Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy.” Both yesterday and today, media have widely reported Wang’s “exclusive interview” with the official Xinhua News Agency. A Chinese transcript of the interview appears prominently on page three of today’s People’s Daily.

Releasing a video of the interview yesterday, Xinhua emphasized Wang’s remarks about the US being unqualified to lead a coalition of “clean countries” on data protection and 5G technology, and his point that US “bullying” was challenging the global order. CGTN reported that Wang had drawn “a clear bottom line” for China’s relationship with the United States, set out the conditions for cooperation, and “clarified China’s position” on a number of key issues.

What many media seem to be emphasizing today as the central takeaway – though there are plenty of broadsides in the interview – is that China remains calm, cool-headed and ready to talk in the face of an “impulsive and restless” United States. Indeed, the headline on the interview transcript appearing in the People’s Daily today suggests China wishes to send the signal that its door is open. The headline reads: “There is a Need to Create a Clear Framework for China-US Relations.”

That said, the positions Wang Yi reiterates on core issues, from Huawei to Hong Kong, are unlikely to move the conversation. They boil down to a refusal to concede any ground, pinning the blame purely on the “arrogance” and “Cold War thinking” of “certain US politicians,” and a “conspiracy” to “resurrect the ghost of McCarthyism.” One would be hard-pressed to detect anywhere in Wang’s remarks an attempt to really understand the anxieties about China that have seized not just “certain politicians” in the US, but governments and a broad range of constituencies, from academics and activists to business groups, in many places in the world.

Wang’s answer to concerns over Huawei and 5G, for example, boils down to a simple insistence that Chinese technology products are safe, and a reminder that it was the US that gave us surveillance programs like Prism and Echelon.

Today, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a full transcript of Wang’s remarks in English. Skeptical of the official translation, however, we have focused on a number of our selections and have translated these under subject headings in the hope that readers find this useful.

A few things to note about the transcript of Wang’s interview. First, it seems that he did not address the issue of Taiwan or the planned trip by US Health Secretary Alex M. Azar II.  Second, there is no mention of Xinjiang, and issue that has focussed concern internationally. Third, there is no reference in the interview to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), or to the “ancient silk road,” though BRI has of course been central to China’s foreign policy in recent years. One can guess that the decision to omit mention of the BRI might have been prompted by the fact that it too has grown controversial, becoming a “global trail of trouble.”

Finally, we note that there is no mention in the interview of “Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy,” a phrase Wang Yi has emphasized recently as a shorthand for China’s new approach to foreign policy in the “new era.” The omission perhaps makes sense if we understand, as we have written about quite a bit, that “Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy” is largely a phrase for internal CCP consumption, more about consolidating Xi’s power as China’s “core” leader than attempting to focus or explain Chinese diplomacy to the rest of the world. Two phrases that are referenced in Wang’s interview are “community of common destiny for mankind,” mentioned twice, and “new type of international relations.”

Some selected CMP translations follow:

ON A “NEW COLD WAR”

Xinhua News Agency Reporter: In the recent period, the American side has taken a series of negative actions that have damaged people-to-people exchange between China and the US, including harassment of Chinese students studying abroad, interference with normal academic exchanges, restricting Chinese media and so on. Many people believe that the ghost of McCarthyism is returning to America. Do you believe that China and the US will really enter a “new Cold War”?

Wang Yi: Lately, China-US relations have faced their most difficult situation since the establishment of relations, and exchange and cooperation have been seriously upset in various areas. The fundamental reason for this is that a subset of political forces within the United States has, out of prejudice and hatred for China, employed the power in their disposal to manufacture certain lies to maliciously smear China’s name, and they have used various excuses to obstruct normal exchanges between China and the United States. Their goal in doing this is exactly to resurrect the ghost of McCarthyism, damaging relations between China and the US, inciting mutual opposition between the people of both countries, damaging the foundation of mutual trust between our countries, and in this way to drag China and the United States into conflict and confrontation once again, pushing the world into turmoil and division.

The Chinese side will not allow this conspiracy to succeed. We firmly oppose this manufactured “new Cold War,” because this goes entirely against the fundamental interests of the people of both China and the US, and goes entirely against the global trend of development and progress. We cannot repeat the hurt and pain caused to the people of the world by those years of the Cold War. It is the universal aspiration of all the countries of the world to seek peace and promote development. If anyone wishes to provoke a “new Cold War” in the 21st century, then they stand in opposition to historical progress, and they are the greatest destroyer of international cooperation. And so they must be nailed to the pillar of historical shame.

China today is not the Soviet Union of those years. Nor do we wish to become a second America. China has never sought to export its ideology and has never interfered in the internal affairs of other. As the world’s largest developing country and a permanent member of the Security Council, China will continue to unswervingly follow the path of peaceful development, unswervingly pursue an open strategy of mutual benefit and win-win, and will persevere in being a promoter of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of the international order.

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ON HONG KONG

Xinhua News Agency Reporter: Recently, the problem of Hong Kong has been extremely prominent in relations between China and the United States. The American side believes that in implementing the Hong Kong National Security Law China has abandoned “one country, two systems,” and it has brought a number of sanctions against Hong Kong. Will the US cause even more trouble on the question of Hong Kong?

Wang Yi: Hong Kong is a part of Chinese territory, and Hong Kong affairs belong to China’s internal affairs. Not interfering in internal affairs is a basic principal in international relations, and no country will permit other countries to wantonly damage their sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the most recent Human Rights Council of the UN, more than 70 countries supported China’s position, censuring the use of the Hong Kong issue to interfere in China’s internal affairs, showing the common voice and just position of international society.

National security legislation is the foundation of safety and security of life in a country, and it is also a common legal practice in every country. The enactment of the Hong Kong National Security Law has remedied long-standing legal loopholes in Hong Kong, and it ensures that the “one country, two systems” policy remains firmly on the track of the rule of law into the future, and also ensures the long-term stability of Hong Kong. Millions of Hong Kong citizens have voluntarily signed a petition in support of the National Security Law, which demonstrates that the people of Hong Kong desire a peaceful and stable life. This also shows that the enactment of the National Security Law has won popular support, and that it is imperative.

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ON CONSULATE CLOSURES

Xinhua News Agency Reporter: Recently, the US side closed the Chinese Consulate in Houston, saying that the consulate was a hub for spying and the theft of intellectual property. China has already responded, shutting down the American Consulate in Chengdu. Do you not worry about a continued escalation of China-US “diplomatic war”?

Wang Yi: The Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Houston was the first general consulate to be established in the United States after the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, and it has always been an important symbol of friendly relations between China and the US. Over more than 40 years, the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Houston has played an important role in promoting friendship and cooperation between the people of the two countries, and in the midst of the epidemic also took the initiative in conquering a difficult situation, building an important bridge in the American south for cooperation between China and the US on the epidemic response.  Closing such a consulate general with important historical and practical significance tantamount to closing a window of communication and mutual understanding between the people of China and the people of the United States, which damages the normal development of US-China relations and civic friendship. Moreover, all of the reasons given by the United States are merely the casual attribution of guilt and empty talk, and they have not presented a shred of evidence to support [their claims].

China will not of course sit idly by simply ignore the arrogance and unreason of the US. Our responses have been reasonable, legitimate and legal, complying fully with diplomatic norms. China has neither the intention nor the interest in fighting a “diplomatic war” with the United States, because this will only cause further damage to the interests of the people of our two countries. Launching a “diplomatic war” is not a demonstration of the strength of the United States, but rather exposes the United States’ growing lack of confidence. If the US continues to repeat its mistakes, China will continue to follow suit to the end.

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ON HUAWEI:

Xinhua News Agency Reporter: The United States has contained and suppressed Huawei in a comprehensive manner, and has threatened to join other countries in creating a “Clean Network Alliance.” Many people believe the actions of the US in fact show its inner sense of anxiety and fear. What are your thoughts about this?

Wang Yi: In the absence of any real evidence,  the United States has made an all-out effort globally to constrain and strike out against a Chinese private enterprise, playing out a textbook case of bullying. Anyone can see clearly that the goal of the United States is to protect its own monopoly position in science and technology, depriving other countries of their normal right to development. This undisguised hegemonic conduct not only undermines international fair trade rules, but also undermines the free global market environment. I want to emphasize again that the many Chinese enterprises that have lately suffered unilateral sanctions from the United States, including Huawei, are innocent. Their technologies and products are also safe, and they have never presented a danger to any country. Quite the contrary, we can behind programs like “Prism” and “Echelon” the shadow of America. The bad practices of the US in eavesdropping and carrying out surveillance on other countries is well known to the world. The US, which has long since been sullied [by its own behavior], is not in any position to create an “alliance of clean nations.”

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ON ATTACKING THE CCP

Xinhua News Agency Reporter: Certain American politicians have recently launched repeated attacks on the Chinese Communist Party, making an effort to disturb the relationship between the Chinese Communist Party and the people. What is the impetus behind the United States doing this now, as China and the US have had diplomatic relations for 41 years?

Wang Yi: Next year marks the 100^th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party. Looking back over these 100 years, it is because of the Chinese Communist Party that the Chinese people have fully broken away from colonialism and the fate of enslavement, and truly realized the liberation and independence of our people; it has been under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party that we have found the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics, building China as the world’s number-two economy from a place of economic backwardness; and it is under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party that we have . . . . . released 800 million people from poverty. The great struggle carried out by the Chinese people under the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party shines through the annals of history, the most glorious chapter in the history of human modernization.

. . . .

We have confidence in the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, and at the same time we respect the right of the people’s of the world to choose their own development paths. We have no intention of engaging in a contest of systems with any country, and no intention of ideologically opposing any country. We also hope that the American side can respect China’s societal system, respect the choices of the Chinese people, and that it gives up its failed interventionism. Just as General Secretary Xi Jinping has said, we have a strong determination, a firm will, and sufficient national strength to meet any challenge, and sufficient confidence, ability, and wisdom to overcome any risks and challenges that might face us. No country in the world can stop China’s historic march toward reaching the great rejuvenation of the Chinese people.

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ON A DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE AGAINST CHINA

Xinhua News Agency Reporter: Pompeo has advocated the creation of a “democratic alliance” to deal with China, forcing other countries to choose between “freedom” and “tyranny.” But we have noticed that his remarks have had few responses internationally. Do you think that these US schemes can succeed?

Wang Yi: Acts inciting confrontation and manufacturing divisions are not uncommon in history. But ultimately the people have cast them aside. Since mankind entered the 21st century, some have rushed out to lower a new iron curtain, to create new divisions, and have played the old game of inventing new oppositions along political identities or camps. This shows obvious contempt for the progress and wisdom of mankind, and this goes against the trend of history, is incompatible with the times and runs counter to the aspirations of most countries. This cannot win the support of the people, and is bound to fail.

China is a country defeated tyranny and won its freedom from imperialism and colonialism. Freedom, democracy and rule of law were long ago written into China’s Constitution, and have already become an important part of the socialist core values of socialism with Chinese characteristics. At the same time, we understand quite deeply that freedom is not just licence, and that the foundations of freedom are rationality, law and order, and international norms. In the midst of the epidemic, according to the scientific recommendations of epidemic disease experts, the Chinese people donned their masks, and this was criticized by certain American politicians as an example of China’s “tyranny” and “lack of freedom.” As a result they have now struck themselves in their own faces.

China has since ancient times been a country that venerates “harmony” (和合), and believes that, “Division leads to contention, contention leads to chaos, and chaos leads to poverty.” China opposes the dangerous method of dividing the world into ideological sectors. To this end, we have actively advocated a new type of international relations (新型国际关系) that is cooperative and win-win, which is meant to surpass the division between different systems, to do away with zero-sum thinking . . . .