2024-02-27 15:23:00
German media: Political allegiance and economic prosperity cannot go together
26.02.2024
When Hong Kong’s sovereignty returned to China in 1997, Beijing made the commitment of “one country, two systems” and “no change for fifty years.” However, Hong Kong has undergone tremendous changes in the past few years.
(Deutsche Welle Chinese website) “Neue Zurich Zeitung” commented that a football match in which star Messi is absent,It turned into a noisy international incident. The statements of some Hong Kong politicians are also reminiscent of Beijing’s Wolf Warrior diplomats.. This commentary titled “Hong Kong Struggles for Identity” reads:
“For years, Western brands and celebrities have walked a tightrope in their dealings with China, fearing that their public appearances or advertising would touch the sensibilities of Chinese nationalism and thus fall victim to political hostility.
In Hong Kong, a cosmopolitan city that prides itself as the ‘World Capital of Asia’, nothing like this has happened before. This city of 7.5 million people was once closer to the West politically, culturally and socially than it was to China under the Communist Party. After Britain handed over sovereignty to China in 1997, Hong Kong remained so for a long time. However, things have changed in recent years, as Hong Kong politicians and officials have scrambled to please Beijing and have begun to consciously employ Beijing’s nationalist rhetoric and propaganda.
On December 18 last year, Hong Kong Chief Executive Li Jiachao went to Beijing to report on his work to Chinese President Xi Jinping.
For example, in public events, officials from the Hong Kong Economic Promotion Bureau will quote extensively from the 20th National Congress speech of Chinese party and state leader Xi Jinping, emphasizing the importance of the 14th Five-Year Plan to Hong Kong, and repeatedly thanking the motherland for its support for Hong Kong. “
The commentary pointed out that on the one hand, Hong Kong’s mainlandization process is accelerating, and on the other hand, Hong Kong also hopes to maintain its status as an international financial center.But having both is easier said than done. After all, what international companies and funds value most is the predictability of political lines.
“The biggest problem facing Hong Kong is Party and state leader Xi Jinping. In the past period, although Xi Jinping has repeatedly emphasized that Hong Kong should maintain a capitalist system and implement a high degree of autonomy. But people have reason to question his statement Questioning. After all, Xi Jinping has emphasized in his previous speeches the promotion of ‘financial culture with Chinese characteristics’, the need to avoid the ‘one-sided pursuit of profits’, etc. It is precisely the pursuit of profits that has brought wealth and prosperity to Hong Kong.
In addition, Xi Jinping has repeatedly made it clear to the world that national security is more important to him than economic prosperity. For an international financial center like Hong Kong that benefits from enlightenment and exchanges, such a policy approach is tantamount to a dose of poison. “
On the second anniversary of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the website of German TV station 2 published a long article analyzing the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on China. The article reads:
“The U.S. Institute of War Research issued a warning: If the West abandons Ukraine, there will be serious consequences. Once Russia wins, the U.S. military and its stealth bombers will have to withdraw from the Indo-Pacific region and move to Eastern Europe. This move will greatly Reducing U.S. power would allow China to demonstrate its power and potentially seize Taiwan. The U.S. would be too preoccupied with Europe to care about anything else, and Beijing would take the opportunity to expand its territory and sphere of influence.
2024 will be the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia, and the two countries will hold grand celebrations for this purpose. Putting aside various speculations about the direction of the Russia-Ukraine war, one thing is certain, that is, China never wants Russia to lose in Ukraine. “
Excerpts from other media do not necessarily represent Deutsche Welle’s positions or opinions.
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Sino-Russian relations in 2023: There is no highest, only higher?
Sino-Russian relations “the best period in history”
In early 2023, a woman broadcast live in Heihe City, Heilongjiang Province. Across the river is the Russian city of Blagoveshchensk (Hailanpao). China and Russia had a “severely cold” period in history, but now the relationship between the two countries is quite warm. The website of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that currently, Sino-Russian relations are at the best period in history.
Sino-Russian relations in 2023: There is no highest, only higher?
Meet “old friends” along the Belt and Road
Since its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Russia has been severely isolated internationally. However, in October 2023, Putin was welcomed as a distinguished guest in Beijing to attend the controversial China “One Belt, One Road” project summit. Xi Jinping called Putin an “old friend” during the meeting. When conferring a medal on Putin in 2018, he also called Putin his “best close friend.”
Sino-Russian relations in 2023: There is no highest, only higher?
Bilateral trade US$200 billion
When Xi Jinping met with the Russian Prime Minister on December 20, 2023, he said that from January to November this year, bilateral trade had achieved the annual target of US$200 billion ahead of schedule – this was the original target for 2024. China’s exports to Russia achieved a growth of more than 50%. The picture shows the Heihe area of the Heilongjiang Free Trade Zone, which aims to promote Sino-Russian border trade.
Sino-Russian relations in 2023: There is no highest, only higher?
Rapid car exports to Russia
Chinese figures show that automobile exports to Russia, in particular, are growing rapidly. Four Chinese brands of cars have entered the top five in the Russian market. Chinese media reported that from the beginning of 2022 to now, the share of Chinese brand cars in the Russian market has continued to rise, and now accounts for half of the country. The picture shows Great Wall Motors exported to Russia.
Sino-Russian relations in 2023: There is no highest, only higher?
Increased energy supply
Russia is China’s largest energy importer. At the end of last year, the “Power of Siberia” pipeline was fully completed. Today, the two sides are discussing the construction of the “Power of Siberia 2” pipeline. Chinese media reported that Gazprom said that in the first three quarters of this year, natural gas supply to China increased by 46.6% year-on-year. The picture shows the Kovykta natural gas field in eastern Russia.
Sino-Russian relations in 2023: There is no highest, only higher?
Dual use
Europe and the United States have criticized some Chinese companies for exporting dual-use military and civilian materials to Russia. Western media reported that China provides Russia with chips, as well as drones and trucks that can be used for both military and civilian purposes. China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it has always treated military exports with caution and has always controlled dual-use materials in accordance with the law. China’s business data shows that the largest exports to Russia are mechanical, electrical and electronic consumer goods, accounting for as much as 40%. The picture shows a heavy truck transported from Yantai Port to Zarubino Port in Russia.
Sino-Russian relations in 2023: There is no highest, only higher?
strengthen military ties
In addition to economic and trade, the two countries have also committed to strengthening military relations. However, experts believe that Russia and China will not become a military alliance like NATO. Although Russia has certain military technologies, China is still interested, and China undoubtedly has the technology that Russia needs and imports in the field of chips. In July this year, China and Russia held their largest joint military exercise in the Sea of Japan. The picture shows Chinese warships resting in Vladivostok after the exercise.
Sino-Russian relations in 2023: There is no highest, only higher?
2024: 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Russia
When Putin visited China in February 2022, China and Russia issued a joint statement stating that “the friendship between the two countries has no limits and there is no restricted area for cooperation.” China has so far not condemned Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. However, analysts believe that the relationship between China and Russia is more of a realist, especially pure interest relationship; this is a relationship of dependence, not friendship.
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