China’s bossiness in international politics is clearly on the rise. The western countries congratulating Liu Xiabo, the 2010 Peace Nobel Price winner for non-voilent struggle for fundamental human rights in China, has again pricked China's allergy for criticism. It has also betrayed China's belief that because of its new-found economic muscle, it can browbeat any nation into toeing its line.
Support for Liu has mainly come in form of countries demanding his release from prison. China has dismissed the international community's reactions calling them an attempt to subvert China's sovereignty. But it would be interesting to see how the Chinese government handles the support for Liu growing within China.
China tried to arm-twist
Norway to prevent it from awarding Liu, but
failed. Severing of ties with Norway followed. Now through its angry outbursts directed at the western countries (including the US) that are applauding Liu, China is threatening them with the same consequence: severance of ties. Is this the behavior of a rising super power?
India along with the other BRIC (
Brazil and
Russia) countries isn’t risking
China’s wrath, though. Apart from the BRIC nations, the Arab countries and some countries in
Africa have also followed the wisdom that silence is golden.
India, having strained its relations with the
Myanmar government for celebrating Aung San Suikyi being awarded with the Peace Nobel Prize in 1991, is reluctant to risk straining its already strained relations with
China.
However, the countries have said their colonial experience has taught them not to interfere with others’ internal matters.
It's understandable that offending China may hurt economic interests, but shouldn't a country also stand for certain ideals? If countries refuse to rise above their day-to-day interests in response to higher human concerns, the world will become a difficult place. Imagine if the world had remained cold to the anti-Apartheid movement in
South Africa. International opinion did a play role, if not the most important, in helping former colonies get their independence.
Through solidarity with the democratic movements and voices inside
China, the international community can at least alter, if not reverse,
China’s attitude towards fundamental rights of its citizens. Even embarrassment might have a slow effect on the Chinese government. By applauding Liu, the western countries have played a constructive role. And by playing mute spectators, their Asian counterparts have allowed themselves to be bullied by
Beijing.
