China Won't Allow Itself to Be 'Hijacked'
By Iran or the West
According to this editorial from China's state-controlled Global
Times, both Iran and the West are badly mistaken to believe that
Beijing can be pressured into supporting one side or the other in the ongoing
dispute over Iran's nuclear program. The article warns that for China,
sanctions are nearly out of the question.
Global mechanisms for coordinating the activities of the major powers
are once again under great stress. In determining the approach to Iran's
nuclear program, the United States and France seek a "comprehensive agreement" on sanctions;
Britain and Germany are unlikely to have any objections; Russia has begun to
waver and China hasn't abandoned its last-ditch effort to reach a negotiates
settlement.
Over
the years, the West and Iran have had an ongoing conflict; the West fears that
Iran will take this opportunity to develop nuclear weapons, while Iran insists
that it has the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy.
For
decades, because of the West, Iran has endured a hostile international
environment. Thus, both sides have lost essential trust in one another. In the
past few years, the use of sanctions as a threat has not only failed to
resolve the problem, it has increased the level of resentment and suspicion.
Past sanctions haven't resolved the problem, and newer ones are unlikely to
prove effective. This is something the West must seriously consider.
When
a state faces life or death, any government would be desperate. Only patience,
patience and more patience, can bring all the parties to achieve a minimum
level of trust. Resorting to launching missiles, increasing the level of
uranium enrichment, or imposing tougher sanctions will only increase the level
of resentment and suspicion.
However,
some in the West and Iran don't want to listen. Both believe that if they're tough,
the other side will eventually give way. This isn't rational - and the two have
even extended this attitude to China. Both think that as long as they pressure
China, it will "choose sides" in disregard of its own interests, and bow
its head.
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
This
is an unrealistic way of thinking. China certainly has economic interests in
Iran andit is legitimate for Chinese diplomacy to safeguard its interests
overseas. China has never denied this fact. At the same time, in regard
to regional issues, China has consistently maintained a balance among the
powers. This has been China's goal all along. But China isn't after
one or
the other goal.
No one can try and use any one of these objectives to hijack China. All parties must
understand that China's own nationalinterests rise above those of
other countries. Putting extreme pressure on China will most likely result
in a rejection from
the Chinese side.
Iran
and the West must make concessions to keep the situation from escalating and
getting out of hand. China will by no means vote at the U.N. Security Council
for a full stop on the Iranian nuclear issue. All parties must be clear that
the reason China is in such a tough position is the difficulty ofbringing the two sidestogether. China doesn't want
to push the Iran issue to the point of confrontation where there is
no turning back. Parties
that pressure China are actually putting pressure on the entire Persian Gulf
situation.
Recently,
Western media has tried to use the Iran issue to isolate China, which is
extremely shallow. China is a big country whose interests must be respected.
Allowances must be made for China's difficulties. China's opposition to
sanctions must be understood.
Posted
by WORLDMEETS.US
The
major countries must work together and discuss the issue of Iran. U.S. trade
negotiator Charlene Barshefsky once said that in order to reach an agreement,
it must benefit all sides. Otherwise an agreement will never be reached, and even
if it is, it won't be carried out. Her words certainly apply to discussions on
the Iran issue. As far as a large country like China is concerned, anyone who
wants to use force or other means to harm Iran will definitely pay the
price.
*
Wang Wen [王文] is the International Forum
editor of the Global Times. He studied at Lanzhou University, Hong Kong Baptist
University, Nanjing University, Johns Hopkins University and others. His major
works include 'World Governance: A Study of the History of Ideas', and 'Mind
Powers: 66 Chinese and Foreign Scholars on China and the World'.
