"Afghan Issue Will Have Aftermath," "Must Abandon US-Led Small Groups Like AUKUS and Quad"
Firmly Oppose Political Manipulation Such as COVID-19 Originating from Wuhan, China
[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed discomfort with the new security alliance 'AUKUS' formed by the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, stating that 'small groups' and 'zero-sum games' should be avoided.
President Xi also indirectly criticized the Biden administration by mentioning issues such as the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan, American unilateralism, and China's responsibility for the origin of COVID-19.
In his keynote speech at the United Nations (UN) General Assembly held in New York on the 21st (local time), President Xi emphasized, "Democracy is not the patent of any one country but the right of all peoples," and added, "For the common values of human peace and development, fairness, justice, democracy, and freedom, we must abandon small groups and zero-sum games." The 'small groups' mentioned by President Xi refer to security alliances led by the U.S. to contain China, such as AUKUS and the Quad (the security dialogue among the United States, Japan, Australia, and India).
He stated, "The success of one country does not necessarily mean the failure of another," and warned, "External military intervention and so-called democratic transformation bring tremendous aftereffects." This remark is interpreted as a reference to the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, implying that the Afghanistan issue could remain a long-term concern for neighboring countries and the world.
President Xi further said, "We (China) have never and will never invade or bully others, nor seek hegemony."
He reiterated the practice of multilateralism, saying, "The UN is an international order based on international law." The core of President Xi's speech is that international order should be stabilized and international issues discussed within the framework of the UN, not under U.S. leadership.
President Xi also stated the Chinese government's stance on the environment. He said, "China will do its utmost to achieve carbon neutrality by 2060," and pledged not to build (or support) any new overseas coal power projects.
Regarding COVID-19, President Xi announced that China would donate 100 million dollars to COVAX and provide an additional 100 million vaccine doses free of charge to developing countries within the year. He emphasized, "China supports and participates in the scientific investigation of the origin of COVID-19 worldwide but firmly opposes political manipulation."
Finally, President Xi said, "The world stands once again at a crossroads in history," and added, "Let us firmly uphold the belief that we can face global threats and challenges together, build a community with a shared future for mankind, and create a better world together."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
