The CCP’s Diplomacy in 2023 Characterized by Setbacks, Containment, Expert Says
The West is de-risking from China. An expert warns the 'axis of evil'—the CCP, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—has actually taken shape, threatening global peace.News AnalysisThe Chinese communist regime’s diplomacy in 2023 has been characterized by setbacks and containment by free democracies in the world, as its actions and stances on key issues—such as the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas war, and human rights violations—pose threats to world peace and universal values.A major diplomatic setback for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 2023 is that Western countries have successively adopted "de-risking" measures to reduce their economic reliance on and ties with communist China."De-risking" was first proposed by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in March and supported by countries such as Germany, France, and the United States. The G7 summit in Hiroshima in May also set the tone of responding to the CCP's economic coercion by “de-risking” rather than "decoupling" from the world’s second-largest economy.Chinese Premier Li Qiang criticized the West at the opening of the World Economic Forum for “de-risking” from China, calling it a "false proposition." He said Beijing "resolutely opposes politicizing economic and trade issues." The ruling CCP has always regarded Europe as an important export market and is very worried about the EU's "de-risking" policy toward China.Cheng Chin-mo, director of the Department of Diplomacy and International Relations at Tamkang University in Taiwan, told The Epoch Times, "The concept of de-risking has become a consistent approach and attitude towards the CCP in democratic countries around the world."Related Stories12/14/202312/13/2023The United States has also been emphasizing de-risking from and reducing over-reliance on China. At present, the United States’ “de-risking” is focused on the supply chain and technology.Under the impact of various countries’ “de-risking” policies, in 2023 China experienced a foreign investment deficit for the first time. In the third quarter of this year, direct investment liabilities, an indicator of foreign direct investment in China, ran a deficit for the first time, with the deficit reaching $11.8 billion.A major reason for the Western countries’ de-risking from China is to respond to economic coercion from the CCP. Many countries have been subjected to economic coercion by the CCP in recent years due to their support for Taiwan’s sovereignty, standing against the CCP’s human rights abuses, and security cooperation with the United States, including Lithuania, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, and others. The CCP's economic coercion has been proven ineffective, but has caused great resentment in the West, such as the European Union. Human Rights Issues This year, European countries and the United States have continued to speak out publicly about the CCP’s violation of human rights.Dec. 10 is International Human Rights Day. The European Union Delegation to China issued a statement reiterating its concern about the severe human rights situation in China, enumerating the CCP’s various atrocities and human rights violations, and condemning the CCP’s “intentional and systematic violations” of civil and political rights.The United States announced on Dec. 8 sanctions on two CCP officials involved in human rights abuse in Xinjiang, the Uyghur region in China, and three Chinese companies, including COFCO Sugar. Falun Gong practitioners appeal next to the United Nations headquarters in New York City on Sept. 20, 2023. (Chung I Ho/The Epoch Times)On July 20, the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China issued a statement on its official account on X, condemning the CCP’s “most appalling human rights abuses” in the persecution of Falun Gong, a faith group following the principles of truth, compassion, and forbearance, and urging Chinese authorities to unconditionally release all imprisoned Falun Gong practitioners.Mr. Cheng said, "The CCP has always suppressed freedom and violated human rights, such as the persecution of Falun Gong, especially the forced living organ harvesting [of Falun Gong practitioners] and transplantation, it’s against humanity and is very shameless. I think more people in the world has awakened [to the CCP’s wickedness]." The CCP Is Part of the ‘Axis of Evil’ The CCP's stance on the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war has been heavily criticized by Western democracies.Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the CCP hasn’t condemned Russia. When the international community imposed global sanctions on Russia, the CCP claimed that "Russia-China friendship has no upper limit" and secretly aided Russia in trade and arms.On Dec. 12, the U.S. Treasury Department and State Department added several Chinese entities and individuals to the sanction list for selling Chinese-made weapons and technology to Russia.When the Israel-Hamas war broke out due to Hamas terroris
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The West is de-risking from China. An expert warns the 'axis of evil'—the CCP, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—has actually taken shape, threatening global peace.
News Analysis
The Chinese communist regime’s diplomacy in 2023 has been characterized by setbacks and containment by free democracies in the world, as its actions and stances on key issues—such as the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, the Russia-Ukraine war, the Israel-Hamas war, and human rights violations—pose threats to world peace and universal values.
A major diplomatic setback for the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) in 2023 is that Western countries have successively adopted "de-risking" measures to reduce their economic reliance on and ties with communist China.
"De-risking" was first proposed by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen in March and supported by countries such as Germany, France, and the United States. The G7 summit in Hiroshima in May also set the tone of responding to the CCP's economic coercion by “de-risking” rather than "decoupling" from the world’s second-largest economy.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang criticized the West at the opening of the World Economic Forum for “de-risking” from China, calling it a "false proposition." He said Beijing "resolutely opposes politicizing economic and trade issues." The ruling CCP has always regarded Europe as an important export market and is very worried about the EU's "de-risking" policy toward China.
Cheng Chin-mo, director of the Department of Diplomacy and International Relations at Tamkang University in Taiwan, told The Epoch Times, "The concept of de-risking has become a consistent approach and attitude towards the CCP in democratic countries around the world."
The United States has also been emphasizing de-risking from and reducing over-reliance on China. At present, the United States’ “de-risking” is focused on the supply chain and technology.
Under the impact of various countries’ “de-risking” policies, in 2023 China experienced a foreign investment deficit for the first time. In the third quarter of this year, direct investment liabilities, an indicator of foreign direct investment in China, ran a deficit for the first time, with the deficit reaching $11.8 billion.
A major reason for the Western countries’ de-risking from China is to respond to economic coercion from the CCP. Many countries have been subjected to economic coercion by the CCP in recent years due to their support for Taiwan’s sovereignty, standing against the CCP’s human rights abuses, and security cooperation with the United States, including Lithuania, Japan, Australia, Taiwan, and others. The CCP's economic coercion has been proven ineffective, but has caused great resentment in the West, such as the European Union.
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Human Rights Issues
This year, European countries and the United States have continued to speak out publicly about the CCP’s violation of human rights.Dec. 10 is International Human Rights Day. The European Union Delegation to China issued a statement reiterating its concern about the severe human rights situation in China, enumerating the CCP’s various atrocities and human rights violations, and condemning the CCP’s “intentional and systematic violations” of civil and political rights.
The United States announced on Dec. 8 sanctions on two CCP officials involved in human rights abuse in Xinjiang, the Uyghur region in China, and three Chinese companies, including COFCO Sugar.
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On July 20, the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China issued a statement on its official account on X, condemning the CCP’s “most appalling human rights abuses” in the persecution of Falun Gong, a faith group following the principles of truth, compassion, and forbearance, and urging Chinese authorities to unconditionally release all imprisoned Falun Gong practitioners.
Mr. Cheng said, "The CCP has always suppressed freedom and violated human rights, such as the persecution of Falun Gong, especially the forced living organ harvesting [of Falun Gong practitioners] and transplantation, it’s against humanity and is very shameless. I think more people in the world has awakened [to the CCP’s wickedness]."
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The CCP Is Part of the ‘Axis of Evil’
The CCP's stance on the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war has been heavily criticized by Western democracies.Since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, the CCP hasn’t condemned Russia. When the international community imposed global sanctions on Russia, the CCP claimed that "Russia-China friendship has no upper limit" and secretly aided Russia in trade and arms.
On Dec. 12, the U.S. Treasury Department and State Department added several Chinese entities and individuals to the sanction list for selling Chinese-made weapons and technology to Russia.
When the Israel-Hamas war broke out due to Hamas terrorists' sneak invasion of Israel and massacre of Israelis on Oct. 7, the CCP not only did not condemn Hamas for provoking the war and its atrocities, but has continued to condemn Israel for its counterattack against Hamas and rescuing hostages, saying that Israel's military actions in Gaza caused a humanitarian disaster.
Most of Hamas's weapons supplies come from Iran, and Hamas claims that they are also supported by a big unnamed country. China has long supported Iran.
Mr. Cheng said, "It is natural for everyone to suspect [the big country is] the CCP. In fact, all kinds of evidence point to the CCP, because Iran's technology basically comes from the CCP."
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He said, “This axis of evil—the CCP, Russia, Iran, and North Korea—has actually taken shape and is constantly challenging the world order. This has also made the world, especially Western democracies, more aware of the CCP’s role."
On Sept. 13, China became the first country to officially establish diplomatic relations with a terrorist regime: the Taliban in Afghanistan.
Mr. Cheng said, "So we can see that the CCP is a major supporter behind terrorist organizations in the world. The turmoil and crisis in the world are caused by the evil regime of the CCP."
In 2023, the CCP escalated its military threats toward Taiwan and throughout the Indo-Pacific region. In recent months, there have been several conflicts between Chinese and Philippine ships, causing tensions in the region.
The United States has warned the CCP not to change the status quo in the Taiwan Strait, and reiterated its support for Taiwan’s sovereignty.
Mr. Cheng said: "The recent joint military exercises and military cooperation between the United States, the Philippines, and Vietnam of course are aimed to prevent the CCP from causing trouble in the South China Sea. I think this situation will continue to consolidate, and the free world’s containment of the CCP has basically formed."
Lan Xin and Luo Ya contributed to this report.
