Global Times

This Chinese poster from during the Korean War pictures U.S.

General Douglas MacArthur killing women and children and says:

'The Chinese people absolutely can't condone encroachment

by other countries without acting, and can't listen to imperialists

who think they can wantonly encroach on China's neighbors'

[Chineseposters.net, United States]

 

 

Global Times, People's Republic of China

War is No Solution in Korea or Anywhere Else

 

In this sober expression of national power from the state-run Global Times, author Dai Xu defends China's role in opposing the United States and its allies in the Korean War, and castigates the 'selfish' who fail to 'account for the interests of all parties.' He writes that the Korean War was a great victory over America, the humiliations and hardships of China's modern history, and a lesson about the idiocy of war that all nations must heed today.

 

By Dai Xu [戴旭]

 

Translated By Mark Klingman

 

June 25, 1010

 

People's Republic of China - Global Times - Original Article (Chinese)

This Korean War-era poster from China, under a depiction of an American soldier, reads, 'A Justified Noose Awaits Them!'

[Chineseposters.net, U.S.]

 

BBC NEWS VIDEO: An American photographer describes covering the Korean War, June 25, 00:04:07RealVideo

The Korean War was a costly "zero." In the contemporary history of warfare, that war was fought for over three years and on scale that nearly matched the two world wars. It began as a conventional two-sided civil war but drew in many outside parties who eventually coalesced into two huge camps, East against West, and resulted in millions of casualties. Geopolitically, the war was pointless: the two sides both began and ended at the 38th parallel. With great clarity, therefore, the war brings home to the world's politicians a simple truth of great value to future generations: war is not the best choice for resolving political problems.

 

The Korean Peninsula is a place where Chinese, American, Russian and Japanese interests intersect. Geography determined that these nations would be intertwined - and none of them can arbitrarily disregard the security of nearby countries and other powers by triggering a war. The rushed U.S. intervention in Korea led to its surprise encounter with the "wrong opponent [China]," bringing the world to the precipice of a nightmarish U.S.-Soviet nuclear war. Today, the U.S. military’s difficulties in Iraq and Afghanistan have once again have proven that "war is not the best choice for resolving political problems." This is a truth with great practical significance.

 

China will never allow anyone to play with fire on its doorstep.

 

The unexpected calamity of the Korean War demanded huge sacrifices from the Chinese people. More than any other country, China was and remains concerned about the security of the Korean Peninsula. On the other hand, whenever tensions in Northeast Asia have risen to the point of war, as is the case with six-party talks on the North Korean nuclear crisis, China's attitude has always been to pay attention to all sides. This was as clear 60 years ago as it is today.

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

 

The Korean War radically changed the world's perception of China. In past wars, other powers had invaded China - but this time, the New Chinese army had the courage and capacity to resist and mount a counterattack at its doorstep. The thinking at the time, exemplified by America's Far East giant MacArthur, was that New China was weak as a country and would not send troops. But China not only dared to defend its homeland by sending troops to the Korean War, it sent the world’s leading military power crashing to earth. This war marked the first chance for the New Chinese army to show its true colors, winning for China the full respect of the world. The conflict not only put a complete end to the humiliation of modern Chinese history, but made New China a standard-bearer for other Third World nations fighting for national liberation. From the point of view of military history, the Korean War ended in a tie - but from the Chinese point of view, the war was a great victory over the past.

 

The Korean War's revelation to China was: if national security is threatened, and if unwanted war is thrust upon you from outside, one must fight for victory to the bitter end. Engaging in a reasonable and lawful war and upholding justice not only doesn’t isolate a country, it wins respect and gains friends. It is this heroic spirit of the New China that won it friends in Asia, Africa and Latin America, and with their support, China won back its seat at the United Nations. Reasonable and legitimate war will have the support of the people. And not only didn't it deter economic development, it led to comprehensive national growth. During the Korean War, New China experienced the fastest industrial and agricultural growth in its history.   

Posted by WORLDMEETS.US

 

This Chinese poster from the Korean War says:

'The Korean People's Army and Chinese

People's Volunteer Army, victorious forever!'

 

SEE ALSO ON THIS:

Global Times, China: South Korea Should Rethink Military Drills with the U.S.

Global Times, China: The United States 'Must Pay' for Provoking China

Dong-A Ilbo, South Korea: The Lesson of the Korean War: Always Be Prepared

Korean Central News, North Korea: South Korea Must 'Rise Up' and End U.S. Alliance

Dong-A Ilbo, South Korea: Chinese Daily Warns Japan and S. Korea on U.S. Alliance

Taipei Times, Taiwan: Korean War Saved Taiwan from Chinese Aggression

 

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The necessary use of force was also the most effective means of improving the security environment. And after over half a century of failure, from the Korean War to the Vietnam War, the United States no longer sets fires around China’s borders. The determination to fight is now balanced against the ability of nearby countries to retaliate. As it emerged from this precarious environment, New China ushered in the era of “reform and opening up.”

 

Times have changed. Today's China has economic development at its core, pursues a peaceful foreign policy and doesn't seek political or military confrontations with other nations. But that doesn't mean China will make endless concessions on its territory, territorial waters, and other areas of national security just for the sake of compromise.

 

A mechanism for regional cooperation is the road to peace.

 

If 60 years ago, war was unable to resolve the problem, then why would a new conflict serve to provide a solution? With the U.S. exhausting itself running around the deserts and wastes of Iraq and Afghanistan, why would anyone believe its aircraft carrier groups and F-22 fighters will quiet things down in Northeast Asia, where millions of troops are preparing for war?

 

Since war is a lose-lose situation, reconciliation is the only correct choice. In my opinion, if we want to break the deadlock on the Korean Peninsula, all parties concerned must first of all act in good faith. This good faith must take account of the interests of all parties. The Korean War broke out 60 years ago because of selfishness and the following of one’s own way, resulting in tragedy; in today’s six-party talks, there are also aspects of this selfish tendency to set aside the needs other parties to achieve individual end. This is political naiveté and reflects a misunderstanding of the special political characteristics on the Korean Peninsula. It also reflects a failure to draw the important lessons from the war. Just as the Korean Armistice was the result of multi-party military and political brinksmanship, so in the future, peace on the Korean Peninsula will certainly be determined by a balance of interests of the major parties involved. The situation in the Taiwan Strait could also benefit from this kind of thinking. Starting from economic and cultural cooperation, the level of militarism on both sides can be gradually reduced.

 

In addition to the sincerity and wisdom of the parties, another important consideration is the need to push harder for peace throughout the world. The situation on the Korean Peninsula is volatile because of the tendency toward nuclear confrontation. This should be condemned, but the world’s peace-loving people must also try to halt the trend. I believe that the situation on the Korean Peninsula, although not optimistic, will nevertheless thaw under with a multi-party push toward peace. Future generations are watching, as are the souls of those who fought and died on the battlefield 60 years ago.

 

CLICK HERE FOR CHINESE VERSION

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[Posted by WORLDMEETS.US July 16, 2:19am]

 

 







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