Peace Archives - Friends of Socialist China

The CPC’s contribution to global governance

The following article by Carlos Martinez asks what kind of international order the Communist Party of China has sought to build over its 105 years – and finds a consistent answer: an order founded on peace. Against the Western media’s warnings of Chinese “assertiveness” and “expansionism”, Carlos sets out China’s actual record: no major war in over four decades, a single overseas base, a no-first-use nuclear pledge, and a tradition running from the 1954 Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence to today’s Global Security Initiative. He traces how that principle – that security can only be common, or it is no security at all – has translated into practice, from the Iran–Saudi Arabia rapprochement to the Beijing Declaration on Palestinian unity.

The USA and the CPC – a tale of two anniversaries

The following article by Carlos Martinez marks two anniversaries falling days apart – the 105th of the Communist Party of China on 1 July and the 250th of the United States on 4 July – and asks what these two political projects have contributed to the world.

This article first appeared in the Morning Star.

This week features two anniversaries that, taken together, tell much of the story of our age. On 1 July, the Communist Party of China marked 105 years since its founding. On 4 July, the United States celebrates 250 years since the Declaration of Independence. The two milestones invite a comparison: what have these two political projects contributed to the world?

War and peace

The US was born in a revolution against empire and has spent much of its life building one. By one widely cited reckoning, the US has been at war for over 90 percent of its history – from the wars of continental conquest to Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Iran. It maintains around 800 military bases in 80 countries and spends over a trillion dollars a year on its armed forces.

China’s record could hardly be more different. It has not fought a war in close to five decades. The major conflicts it was previously drawn into – Korea and Vietnam – were in defence of neighbours resisting imperialism. It has never launched a war of aggression, never seized a colony, never carried out a regime-change operation, never imposed a unilateral sanctions regime. Its foreign policy still rests on the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence – mutual respect for sovereignty, non-aggression, non-interference, equality and mutual benefit – first articulated in 1954. Even on the nuclear question, where Western media warn of a Chinese build-up, China holds around 500 warheads to the United States’ several thousand, and remains the only major nuclear power consistently and unambiguously committed to a policy of no first use, in place since its first nuclear test in 1964.

This difference scales up to the level of the world system. The US sits at the head of an order it designed and polices – an order of dollar dominance, financial sanctions, military alliances, and the assumed right to intervene anywhere in defence of its own economic and strategic interests. As the New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman famously put it, “the hidden hand of the market will never work without a hidden fist – McDonald’s cannot flourish without McDonnell Douglas”.

China, by contrast, has thrown its weight behind a multipolar trajectory: the Belt and Road Initiative, to which three-quarters of UN member states have signed up; the expansion of BRICS; global initiatives on development, security, civilisational dialogue and governance; and an insistence on sovereign equality – that nations be free to choose their own path. One project seeks to preserve a hierarchy with a single power at the top. The other works towards a global community of shared future, in which all nations participate on equal terms.

Neoliberalism versus common prosperity

Over four decades China has lifted hundreds of millions of people out of poverty – more than three-quarters of the global total – and in 2021 declared the elimination of extreme poverty, a decade ahead of the UN’s own target. It has built the largest public medical insurance network on earth, covering essentially its entire population, extended pension coverage to all its elderly, and largely solved the problem of homelessness.

Diane Abbott: The US plan is for global domination – we have to be determined in the campaign for peace

Nearly 3,000 delegates from across Britain, Europe and further afield packed London’s Westminster Central Hall on Saturday June 20 for a conference against war and militarism hosted by Britain’s Stop the War Coalition. It was the second conference of its kind, the first having been held in Paris in October 2025.

In a day noted for numerous rousing and militant speeches, special mention should be made of that made by Diane Abbott, which, despite its brevity, was unique in its providing an insightful overview of the international situation as a whole, the various struggles against imperialism and war and the significance of China.

After referring to the situations in Venezuela, Cuba, Nigeria, Syria, Palestine and Lebanon, Diane continued:

“There is a military build-up against China, especially through AUKUS. And of course, there is the war and blockade of Iran. Finally, there is the prolonged war in Ukraine, the largest war in Europe since the Second World War, much bigger even than the NATO campaign to destroy Yugoslavia.”

All these have one thing in common, she explained. “The United States is central to them all and initiated most of them.”

Referring to the latest US National Security Strategy, she noted that some people have argued that this means that the United States is now restricting its attention to the western hemisphere. But “none of that is true… It is a plan for global domination.”

Economically, the US is on the retreat and has lost its dominance. It has “lost out to the Global South in general and China in particular.” But it is attempting to recover its position primarily through a combination of trade wars, sanctions, and military methods. In this it relies on the overwhelming dominance of the US military, the global role of the US dollar and its network of allies.

However, not everything is going to plan. The US lost the first few rounds of the trade war with China.

She concludes: “It seems clear that we are in for a prolonged fight… We have to be determined in the campaign for peace, and unite with all those governments, movements and peoples who oppose this US rampage.”

Diane Abbott is the member of parliament for Hackney North and Stoke Newington in northeast London. She was first elected in 1987, becoming Britain’s first ever black woman parliamentarian. She is now the ‘Mother of the House’ – the longest currently serving woman member of the House of Commons. Having served as Shadow Home Secretary during Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership of the Labour Party, she is currently suspended from the Parliamentary Labour Party, due to the discredited regime of Keir Starmer’s war against the left and to her steadfast opposition to austerity, racism and imperialist war.

China and Pakistan coordinate closely for peace

With the situation in West Asia remaining volatile, China and Pakistan are maintaining their close liaison with a view to expediting the peace process.

On the evening of June 24, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held a phone conversation with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar.

Dar extended warm congratulations on the upcoming 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and expressed Pakistan’s admiration for the extraordinary achievements China has made under the leadership of the party. He briefed Wang on the latest developments in the new round of negotiations between Iran and the United States and expressed appreciation for China’s firm support for Pakistan’s peace mediation efforts. Dar noted that the four-point proposition put forward by President Xi Jinping on safeguarding and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, and the five-point initiative jointly proposed by Pakistan and China on peace and stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region, have played an important role in de-escalating the situation.

Wang Yi thanked Pakistan for promptly briefing China on the new round of Iran-US negotiations and noted that the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Iran and the US is the result of the joint efforts of the international community, with Pakistan playing a key and unique role. The peace process has just begun, and there is still a long and possibly tortuous and difficult road ahead. However, China will continue to support Pakistan and other like-minded countries in playing a constructive role and stands ready to maintain close communication and coordination with Pakistan.

He pointed out that the next phase should focus on three priorities:

Consolidate the comprehensive ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, and by no means allow the flames of war to reignite.
Restore normal navigation through the Strait of Hormuz as soon as possible to ensure the stability of global industrial and supply chains.
Support Middle Eastern countries in improving relations with each other as soon as possible and exploring a new regional security architecture. The Middle East, including the Gulf region, should no longer become an arena for major power rivalry or a victim of geopolitical maneuvering. Countries in the region should uphold genuine strategic autonomy and take their destiny firmly into their own hands.

Wang further emphasised that the crux of the Middle East issue remains the Palestinian question. China calls on regional countries to form a more united voice and take more coordinated actions in this regard.

China issues detailed White Paper on global governance

China’s State Council Information Office released a white paper entitled “More Just and Equitable Global Governance: China’s Principles, Proposals and Actions” on June 17.

The paper presents a comprehensive exposition of China’s vision for reforming and improving global governance at a moment of profound global transformation. It underscores China’s longstanding commitment to multilateralism, fairness, and shared development, while calling on the international community to unite in building a more just and equitable global governance system. As the paper states, global governance “is a common endeavour that bears on the wellbeing of all humanity,” and the world must “uphold multilateralism, unite forces, and pursue a fair future.”

A World at a Crossroads

The white paper begins by assessing the severe and complex challenges confronting humanity. It notes that the world has entered “an era marked by profound change on a scale unseen in a century,” with geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and emerging security risks converging to create unprecedented uncertainty. Armed conflicts have surged, with the number of active conflicts in 2025 reaching the highest level since World War II. Economic globalisation faces headwinds as some countries pursue protectionism, unilateral sanctions, and technological containment, undermining global supply chains and widening the development gap.

The paper warns that unilateralism and hegemonism threaten the international rule of law, citing actions by “a certain major power” that has withdrawn from international agreements, obstructed multilateral institutions, and weaponised economic and technological issues. Such behaviour, it argues, undermines the UN-centred international system and destabilises global order. The document stresses that the world must choose between “fairness and justice, or the law of the jungle,” urging all nations to reject power politics.

At the same time, the rise of the Global South is reshaping global governance. Developing countries now account for over 60 percent of the world economy (in Purchasing Power Parity [PPP] terms) and contribute 80 percent of global growth. Mechanisms such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and the G77 + China have become increasingly influential, reflecting the international community’s demand for greater representation, equity, and inclusiveness.

The Global Governance Initiative: China’s Answer to the Challenges of the Times

Against this backdrop, President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) in 2025, offering China’s systematic response to the question of what kind of global governance system the world needs and how to reform it. The GGI is grounded in five core concepts: sovereign equality, the international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centred approach, and real actions.

Sovereign Equality

The white paper emphasises that sovereign equality is the cornerstone of international relations. All countries—large or small, rich or poor—must have equal rights to participate in global governance. Major powers, it stresses, must set an example by refraining from coercion and interference. Only through equality can nations build the political trust necessary for solidarity and cooperation.

International Rule of Law

The document calls for strict adherence to the UN Charter, noting that global instability stems not from the Charter being outdated but from its principles not being effectively implemented. International law must be applied universally rather than selectively. The paper warns that without the rule of law, “anyone at the dining table today could appear on the menu tomorrow.”

Multilateralism

True multilateralism—rooted in consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits—is described as the only viable path for humanity. The UN must remain the central platform for global governance, and multilateral mechanisms should be strengthened rather than weakened.

A People-Centred Approach

Global governance must serve the wellbeing of all peoples. Development should be restored to the centre of the international agenda, the North-South divide must be bridged, and global challenges such as climate change and public health must be addressed through cooperation.

Real Actions

The GGI stresses practical, results-oriented cooperation. It calls for coordinated progress across governance agendas, addressing both symptoms and root causes, and enhancing synergy between North-South and South-South cooperation.

China’s Contributions to Global Governance

The white paper devotes extensive attention to China’s concrete actions in promoting global peace, development, and cooperation.

Championing Universal and Common Security

China upholds a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. It fulfils its responsibilities as a permanent member of the UN Security Council and is the second-largest contributor to UN peacekeeping operations. More than 50,000 Chinese peacekeepers have served in 29 missions, and China maintains an 8,000-strong standby force.

China has played constructive roles in addressing international flashpoints:

Ukraine: China released its position paper on the political settlement of the crisis and, together with Brazil, launched the Group of Friends for Peace.

Palestine–Israel: China supported the first UN Security Council ceasefire resolution for Gaza since the outbreak of renewed conflict and facilitated Palestinian reconciliation efforts.

Middle East: China brokered the historic Saudi-Iran rapprochement and advanced regional peace initiatives.

Asia: China facilitated ceasefire agreements in northern Myanmar and contributed to resolving disputes in Southeast and South Asia.

China also leads global efforts against terrorism, transnational crime, drug trafficking, and cyber threats, and has taken pioneering steps such as scheduling the entire class of fentanyl-related substances.

Promoting Openness, Cooperation, and Shared Development

China stresses that its own development is inseparable from global development. It has become the main trading partner of over 160 countries and regions and continues to expand high-standard opening-up. The country has removed all restrictions on foreign investment in manufacturing, shortened negative lists, and created major platforms such as the China International Import Expo.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has entered a new stage of high-quality development. China has signed cooperation documents with more than 150 countries, and the China-Europe Railway Express has surpassed 130,000 trips. Trade between China and BRI partners reached RMB 23.6 trillion in 2025.

The Global Development Initiative (GDI) has mobilised over US$23 billion in development funds, launched more than 1,800 projects, and trained 80,000 people, helping developing countries enhance their capacity for independent development.

Practicing True Multilateralism

China is the second-largest contributor to the UN regular budget and supports the UN in implementing the Pact for the Future and the UN80 Initiative. It has helped establish new UN institutions in China and increased the presence of Chinese professionals in international organisations.

China also supports the International Organisation for Mediation (IoM), headquartered in Hong Kong, which provides a new mechanism for peaceful dispute resolution.

In the G20, China has championed development-centred cooperation and supported the African Union’s accession. In APEC, China promotes an Asia-Pacific community of shared future and will host the 2026 APEC meeting under the theme “Building an Asia-Pacific Community to Prosper Together.”

Supporting the Global South

China positions itself as a natural member of the Global South and a steadfast partner in its development. It has advanced BRICS expansion, strengthened the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and supported reforms to increase developing countries’ representation in global financial and governance institutions.

China has elevated relations with Africa to an all-weather community of shared future, deepened cooperation with Arab states, expanded partnerships with Latin America and the Caribbean, and supported Pacific Island countries through the “Four Fully Respects” principles.

Promoting Exchanges and Mutual Learning Among Civilisations

Through the Global Civilisation Initiative, China advocates equality, mutual learning, dialogue, and inclusiveness among civilisations. The UN General Assembly adopted China’s proposal to establish June 10 as the International Day for Dialogue Among Civilisations. China has hosted major cultural forums, expanded cultural cooperation with over 100 countries, and promoted youth exchanges.

China also plays an active role in global human rights governance, emphasising development-based and cooperation-oriented approaches.

Providing Global Public Goods

China has taken the lead in climate governance, pledging to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality before 2060. It has built the world’s largest renewable energy system and supplies 70 percent of global wind power equipment and 80 percent of photovoltaic panels.

China also advances global AI governance, supports WHO-centred global health cooperation, leads biodiversity protection through the Kunming-Montreal Framework, and promotes governance in cyberspace, oceans, and outer space.

Guiding the Direction of Change

The white paper argues that the GGI has gained broad support because it aligns with global trends toward multipolarity, inclusiveness, and multilateralism. China’s governance philosophy draws from the Communist Party of China’s global vision, China’s diplomatic traditions, and the heritage of Chinese civilisation, including ideals such as “great harmony under Heaven” and “the people are the foundation of the state.”

China’s four major global initiatives—Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, Global Civilisation Initiative, and Global Governance Initiative—together form a comprehensive framework for addressing development, security, cultural exchange, and governance challenges, contributing to the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

Moving Forward Together

The white paper concludes by calling on all countries to act in the long-term interests of humanity, rise to challenges with confidence, and unite in implementing the GGI. It stresses that global governance is a long-term endeavour requiring perseverance, solidarity, and concrete action. The UN must remain the core platform, and major countries must shoulder their responsibilities.

As the document states, “This is an era of challenges. But it is also one of hope.” China stands ready to work with all nations to let “the light of fairness and justice illuminate the world” and to build a brighter future for humanity.

Wang Yi meets with Iranian security official

At the invitation of India’s National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, attended the 16th Meeting of BRICS National Security Advisors and High Representatives on National Security, which was held in the Indian capital New Delhi from June 22-23.

Among the first of Wang Yi’s reported bilateral meetings in New Delhi was that with the Deputy Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council Qadir Nizamipour.

Wang Yi stated that China welcomes the launch of follow-up consultations – with the assistance of Pakistan and Qatar – between Iran and the United States based on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the two countries. The core provisions of the 14-point MoU are hard-won. These provisions clearly call for an immediate and permanent cessation of hostilities, refraining from the use or threat of force, mutual respect for each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and non-interference in each other’s internal affairs. These elements embody the spirit of equality, align with the purposes of the UN Charter, and conform to the norms governing international relations. China, as a comprehensive strategic partner of Iran, has always maintained a fair position and supported all efforts conducive to peace, supported Iran in safeguarding its sovereignty, security and national dignity, and supported Iran in improving relations with the Gulf countries and regional countries. China is willing to continue to provide assistance in its own way and play a constructive role in restoring regional peace and tranquility at an early date.

Qadir Nizamipour sincerely thanked the Chinese side for its persistent efforts to promote peace and halt the war, and highly commended President Xi Jinping’s four-point proposal on promoting peace and stability in the Middle East. He stated that China-Iran relations are of great importance. Iran has always attached great importance to its relations with China and highly appreciates the positive role China has played in international and regional affairs. Deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries is the consensus of all sectors in Iran.

Xi Jinping: China’s policy of friendship toward Myanmar is for all the people of Myanmar

At the invitation of President Xi Jinping, President of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing paid a state visit to China from June 15-19.

President Xi Jinping held talks with President Min Aung Hlaing on the morning of June 16.

Xi Jinping pointed out that China and Myanmar enjoy a deep pauk-phaw [brotherly] friendship. Over the 76 years since the two countries established diplomatic ties, China and Myanmar have always stood together through thick and thin and helped each other and jointly advocated and practiced the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, setting a fine example of state-to-state relations featuring equality and mutual benefit. China pursues a principle of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit and inclusiveness and places its relations with Myanmar in an important position of its neighbourhood diplomacy. China is committed to the principle of noninterference in internal affairs. Its policy of friendship toward Myanmar is for all the people of Myanmar. China firmly supports Myanmar in safeguarding its sovereignty and territorial integrity and supports Myanmar’s new government in coordinating development and security and pursuing a right path of development that fits its national conditions and has the support of its people.

Xi added that the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor is a flagship project of the Belt and Road cooperation. The two sides need to steadily advance the construction of major projects on the basis of ensuring safety and security, to support Myanmar in growing its economy and improving livelihoods. China stands ready to step up support for Myanmar’s post-earthquake reconstruction, implement more “small and beautiful” assistance programs, and jointly tell the stories of mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. The two sides need to continue cracking down on criminal activities including online gambling, telecom fraud and drug trafficking, and fully safeguard the interests and security of the two peoples. China supports various parties in Myanmar in pursuing peace and reconciliation through peace talks and realising lasting peace and security in northern Myanmar, which serves the fundamental and long-term interests of Myanmar and its people. [Myanmar is home to numerous ethnic armed organisations, some of which have concluded agreements with the union government or are engaged in a peace process. Particularly in the north of the country, China also maintains traditional ties with various organisations, including based on ethnic affinity as well as on their genesis in the Communist Party of Burma. Among the most significant of such organisations – all of which are aligned to political parties – are the United Wa State Army, Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, Ta’ang National Liberation Army, Arakan Army, Kachin Independence Army, Karen National Army and the Shan State Army.]

President Min Aung Hlaing said that Myanmar and China share a long-standing pauk-phaw friendship. The two countries have always assisted and supported each other, upheld the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and forged a strong good-neighbourly partnership, and are jointly moving toward a new phase of building a community with a shared future through thick and thin. Myanmar appreciates China’s long-standing selfless support for Myanmar’s development, stability, peace and reconciliation, and remains firmly committed to the one-China principle. The new government of Myanmar is making full efforts to advance domestic peace and development, and actively exploring a political system and development path suited to its national conditions. China’s implementation of its 15th Five-Year Plan offers important opportunities for its Asian neighbours including Myanmar. Myanmar looks forward to strengthening all-round cooperation with China, jointly building the Myanmar-China Economic Corridor, and elevating trade and investment. Myanmar stands ready to work closely with China to resolutely combat online gambling and telecom fraud and safeguard security and stability in the border areas. Myanmar fully supports the four global initiatives proposed by President Xi Jinping and is ready to enhance multilateral communication and coordination with China.

Also on June 16, President Min Aung Hlaing met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.

Li said that China stands ready to work with Myanmar to follow the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, carry forward traditional friendship, consolidate political mutual trust, deepen mutually beneficial cooperation, and promote the steady progress of bilateral relations to better serve the modernisation drive of the two countries and jointly promote regional stability and prosperity. He pointed out that China is willing to deepen high-quality cooperation with Myanmar on jointly developing the Belt and Road Initiative, expand cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, artificial intelligence and digital economy, and continue to move forward hand in hand on the path of common development.

Min Aung Hlaing expressed gratitude to China for providing valuable assistance to Myanmar’s economic and social development, adding that Myanmar is willing to enhance strategic alignment with China, promote cooperation on the Myanmar-China Economic Corridor, deepen cooperation in trade, investment and other fields, strengthen people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and push the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Myanmar and China to a higher level.

The Myanmar president also met with Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, on the same day.

On June 17, the two countries released the Joint Statement of the People’s Republic of China and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar on Accelerating the Building of a China-Myanmar Community with a Shared Future.

Its key points include:

Both sides emphasised that since the establishment of diplomatic relations 76 years ago, China and Myanmar have been sincere, mutually trusting, and supportive good neighbours, good friends, and good partners. China and Myanmar enjoy a longstanding friendship and close partnership. They have always adhered to equality and mutual benefit, and firmly supported each other in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, and development interests. In light of the profound changes taking place in the regional and international landscape, both sides agreed to uphold the spirit of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, further carry forward the China-Myanmar “pauk-phaw” friendship, deepen practical and mutual beneficial cooperation across various fields on the basis of equality, mutual respect, consultation, and shared benefit, and continue advancing the building of a China-Myanmar community with a shared future, and better benefit the people of both countries.
The Chinese side firmly supports the Myanmar side in following a development path that suits its national conditions and enjoys the support of its people, firmly supports the Myanmar side in safeguarding national sovereignty, security, territorial integrity and national dignity, and firmly supports the Myanmar side in realising national peace and stability, national reconciliation, social harmony and lasting peace.
The Myanmar side reiterated its commitment to the one-China policy, recognising that there is only one China in the world, that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the territory of the People’s Republic of China, and that the Government of the People’s Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. Myanmar opposes any form of “Taiwan independence,” will not conduct any form of official exchanges with Taiwan, and firmly supports all efforts made by China to achieve national reunification, emphasising that the authority of UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 is indisputable.
Both sides reaffirm that neither country will allow its territories to be used for activities detrimental to the other’s security interests.
Both sides attached importance and expressed readiness to finalise and sign the “Belt and Road” cooperation plan in a timely manner. The two sides agreed to promote the implementation of the China-Myanmar Economic Corridor (CMEC) and steadily promote cooperation on major corridor projects such as the Kyaukpyu Deep-Sea Port and the Muse-Mandalay Railway. These projects will be guided by the principles of mutual respect, mutual benefit, commercial viability, financial sustainability, in full alignment with laws, regulations, and national conditions of both countries. Furthermore, both sides will leverage the China-Myanmar oil and gas pipelines, steadily advance power grid interconnection, and explore economically and environmentally sustainable energy partnerships. The Chinese side reiterated its willingness to provide ongoing development support for which the Myanmar side expressed gratitude.
The Chinese side actively supports Myanmar’s post-earthquake reconstruction. On the basis of the emergency humanitarian disaster relief assistance previously provided, China is willing to further provide support within its capacity. The two sides will jointly promote the reconstruction of landmark projects such as the Aungsan Stadium in Yangon, deepen development cooperation in disaster prevention and mitigation, medical and healthcare services, and implement further community-focused human resources development, and explore more “small and beautiful” livelihood assistance projects.
The Chinese side supports the Myanmar side in advancing its domestic peace and reconciliation process through political dialogue. The Myanmar side appreciates China’s positive and constructive role in this regard, particularly in facilitating peace talks in northern Myanmar. Both sides agreed to strengthen communication and coordination to maintain peace and stability and common development along their shared border areas.
The two sides agreed to firmly uphold the international system with the United Nations at its core, the international order based on international law, and the basic norms of international relations founded on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Both sides are committed to promoting an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. Both sides oppose all forms of unilateralism, protectionism and oppose practices that undermine regional peace and stability, such as the creation of exclusive “small circles”, the instigation of bloc confrontation, and the return of militarism and other practices that endanger regional peace and stability, and will firmly uphold the victory of World War II and the post-war international order. The two sides emphasise the importance of maintaining regional peace, stability and prosperity, as well as advocate for dialogue, mutual respect, and cooperation in addressing regional and global challenges, and underscore the need to avoid actions that may intensify tensions among countries.
The Chinese side appreciates Myanmar’s joining of the “Group of Friends of the Global Development Initiative”. Both sides are ready to deepen cooperation under the Global Development Initiative framework to accelerate the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. China appreciates Myanmar’s joining of the Group of Friends of Global Governance and the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed).
The Myanmar side welcomes China’s initiative to establish a World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) to ensure AI development serves the common benefit. The Chinese side welcomes the Myanmar side’s positive consideration to join the WAICO to jointly promote global governance and international cooperation on AI.
Both sides agreed to strengthen China-ASEAN cooperation, working together to build a peaceful, safe and secure, prosperous, beautiful and amicable home, and strive to promote a higher level of regional economic integration and build a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future based on equality and mutually beneficial cooperation. Both countries reaffirm their commitment to promoting peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development in the region, advancing regional economic integration, narrowing development gaps, and contributing to an open and inclusive region.

Wang Yi sets out China’s global vision at UN

China held the rotating presidency of the United Nations Security Council in May, 2026. In that capacity, it called a high-level meeting on May 26. The theme of this meeting was ‘Upholding the Purposes and Principles of the UN Charter and Strengthening the UN-centred International System’. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China’s Central Committee, travelled to New York to chair the meeting. He also attended the meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance at the UN headquarters in New York on May 28 and held a considerable number of bilateral meetings, particularly with his counterparts who had also travelled to New York to attend the meetings. Prior to returning home, Wang also visited Canada, May 28-30.

In his remarks to the high-level meeting held on May 26, Wang Yi said that the international situation is undergoing the most complex and profound changes since the end of World War II. The giant ship of human civilisation is sailing into dangerous waters, and world peace and development are at a crossroads. The challenges confronting us are testing the international community’s commitment to safeguarding peace, its resolve to stand up for justice, and its courage to make bold reforms. Members must stand united and act together to defend, revitalise and strengthen the UN.

He advanced a number of proposals in this regard:

Reinvigorating the UN Charter for stronger leadership. The root cause of the chaos in today’s world is not that the Charter’s spirit is outdated, but that the international order and the basic norms governing international relations, both set out in the Charter, are not being effectively upheld and observed. Members must uphold sovereign equality, oppose interference in internal affairs; uphold the peaceful settlement of disputes, oppose the use of force; uphold the victorious outcomes of World War II, oppose glorifying the history of aggression. Major countries, in particular, have the responsibility to lead by example in following the rule of law and the right path, and should not practice double standards, exceptionalism or selective application.
Reinvigorating the authority of the Security Council for greater ability to act. What comes with Security Council membership is not privileges, but responsibilities. Members should rise above the narrow national interests and use international public goods responsibly. Any unilateral military action that circumvents the Council’s mandate is unacceptable, and any unilateral sanction that exceeds the Council’s resolutions lacks legitimacy.
Reinvigorating global development cooperation for stronger mobilisation. As the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals is woefully behind schedule, the UN needs to vigorously coordinate global actions and fully mobilise global resources. It is important to solidify the pillar of development, strengthen the development system, provide countries of the Global South with more funding, technological and intellectual support in key areas such as poverty reduction, and urge developed countries to deliver on their development financing pledges. It is imperative to earnestly increase the representation and say of developing countries at the IMF and the World Bank. China supports the UN in strengthening dialogue with BRICS countries, the G20, the New Development Bank and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, for a universally beneficial and balanced global economic and financial governance system.
Reinvigorating the global governance platform for stronger execution capacity. Faced with emerging threats and challenges, no country can stay unaffected. A united response is the only way forward. Members should strengthen the sense of a community with a shared future for humanity, replace coercion with consultation, zero-sum with win-win, and small circles with greater unity.
Reinvigorating the effectiveness of the UN system for stronger vitality. Member states should fulfill their financial obligations with real actions, support the UN in performing its mandate, and steadily contribute to the cause of the UN, rather than willfully withdraw from treaties and organisations, still less establish alternatives.

Wang Yi stressed that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the restoration of the lawful seat of the People’s Republic of China in the UN. For 55 years, as a permanent member of the Security Council, China has taken an active part in the UN cause. From this historic point onward, China will continue to uphold principles and follow the path of justice. Together with all countries, China will pursue greater unity under the banner of multilateralism, promote a more just and equitable global governance system, and move toward the goal of building a community with a shared future for humanity.

Following the meeting Wang Yi briefed the press.

He explained that the meeting was proposed by China in its capacity as the rotating President of the Security Council. He pointed out that in recent times, the purposes of the UN Charter have been disregarded, the basic norms governing international relations have been undermined, and world peace and security are in jeopardy. At this critical juncture, the Security Council must step forward and shoulder its responsibilities.

It was widely agreed that the UN Charter has not become outdated and remains the cornerstone of the international order. The centrality of the UN must be strengthened, not weakened. As none of us wants to see international relations slide back to the law of the jungle, we need to uphold the same system, the U.N.-centered international system, and observe the same set of rules – the basic norms governing international relations based on the Charter.

It was also widely agreed that the trend toward a multipolar world is unstoppable, and that the domination of international affairs by one or a few countries no longer corresponds to the trend of the times. We should firmly follow the path of multilateralism, do our utmost to safeguard unity, oppose division, seek cooperation, reject confrontation, and jointly inject much-needed stability and certainty into the world.

The view that current global governance has visibly fallen behind and needs to be reformed and improved in keeping with the times was also widely shared. Global governance should reflect the aspirations of all countries in a more balanced way and ensure equal participation and shared benefits for all. In particular, it is important to increase the representation and voice of the Global South and jointly build a more just and equitable global governance system.

Wang also pointed out that to reinvigorate the UN, the Security Council must first be reinvigorated. To achieve this goal, he stressed the following:

All Security Council members must regard the maintenance of peace as their shared responsibility, observe the Charter, uphold justice, refrain from pursuing narrow self-interest, and avoid bloc confrontation.
The representation and voice of developing countries and small and medium-sized states should be increased through reform, in particular by addressing the historical injustice faced by Africa.
The objectivity, fairness, and inclusiveness of Security Council proposals should be enhanced, and the five permanent members, in particular, should play an exemplary role in this regard.
The international community should jointly oppose all unilateral acts that bypass the Security Council, so that unilateral bullying finds no support and no legitimacy.

In his keynote speech to the May 28 meeting of the Group of Friends of Global Governance, Wang Yi said that the current international situation is marked by intertwined changes and turbulence. Countries are calling for fairness and justice, longing for solidarity and cooperation, and aspiring to peace and stability. Against this backdrop, President Xi Jinping solemnly put forward the Global Governance Initiative last September, emphasising five core concepts: sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, people-centred approach, and real actions. In less than a year, the initiative has received support and response from nearly 160 countries and international organisations. The Group of Friends of Global Governance has been successively established in New York, Geneva and Vienna, with membership reaching over 60 countries. Guided by the spirit of equality and mutual respect, members have held extensive discussions and reached consensus on five key points including advancing greater democracy in international relations, upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, safeguarding the central role of the United Nations, narrowing the North-South divide, and addressing the most pressing challenges.

He stressed that reforming and improving global governance is a historic mission for this generation and said that China proposes the following nine reform directions:

Promoting UN reform for greater efficiency. The purpose of reform is to enhance the United Nations, not weaken it. UN reform should be led by member states and carried out in a fair, inclusive and transparent manner. Member states should be urged to fulfill their financial obligations, and budget management and fiscal accountability should be strengthened.
Enhancing the authority and capacity of the Security Council. The voice of developing countries and the vast number of small and medium-sized countries should be strengthened, and the historical injustice faced by Africa should be addressed as a priority. Unilateral actions and sanctions that bypass the Security Council should be opposed.
Adapting peacekeeping operations to the demands of the times. The three principles of peacekeeping should be upheld and improved, and peacekeeping operations should be better mandated and empowered. The United Nations should be supported in strengthening coordination with regional organisations such as the African Union and the League of Arab States, so as to build a combined force for mediation on regional hotspot issues.
Building international consensus on accelerating development. Development should be pushed back to the centre of the UN agenda, and the post-2030 development agenda should be planned ahead. Developed countries should fulfill their commitments on development financing. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities should be upheld, and a fair, reasonable and win-win global climate governance system should be built.
Steering global human rights governance in the right direction. The one-sided approach of placing human rights above sovereignty should be abandoned, and it should be made clear that it is the people of each country who judge and improve their own human rights.
Deepening reform of the economic and financial system. The shareholding review of the World Bank should be accelerated, and a meaningful adjustment of IMF quota shares should be achieved as soon as possible. The dispute settlement mechanism should be restored to normal operation, and World Trade Organisation (WTO) rules should be updated to keep pace with the times.
Establishing rules for artificial intelligence (AI) governance. A people-centred and AI-for-good approach should be upheld, and the United Nations should be supported in playing its role as the main channel. The digital divide should be prevented from widening, and guardrails should be set for military applications and governance of AI.
Strengthening governance in emerging domains such as cyberspace and outer space. The four principles of respecting cyber sovereignty, maintaining peace and security, promoting open cooperation and building good order should be upheld, and the United Nations should be supported in advancing global cyberspace and digital governance. Outer space should be used for peaceful purposes.
Promoting exchanges among civilisations and achieving inclusive mutual learning.

The meeting reached consensus on five key points:

All members support the democratisation of international relations. All countries, regardless of size, strength or wealth, have the right to choose their own social systems and development paths, and to participate, decide and benefit equally in global governance.
All members call for upholding the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, ensuring the equal application of international law and international rules, and opposing double standards and coercion.
All members support safeguarding the central role of the United Nations, practicing multilateralism, strengthening multilateral mechanisms, and opposing unilateralism and power politics.
All members support reforming and improving global governance and narrowing the North-South divide to ensure that all countries share the benefits of development and that no country is left behind.
All members call for addressing the most pressing challenges facing the international community through concrete actions and practical results to ensure global governance meets the needs of the times and the people.

China brokers peace between Thailand and Cambodia

Intensive diplomatic efforts by China to halt the resumed armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and to address its underlying causes scored a significant success with a December 29, 2025, trilateral meeting of the foreign ministers of China, Cambodia, and Thailand, held in Yuxi, Yunnan Province.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi stated that since the outbreak of the border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, China has upheld the spirit of the Global Security Initiative put forth by President Xi Jinping, actively mediating and using its good offices. Chinese leaders have maintained friendly communication with the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand, and the foreign ministers have held multiple phone conversations. The Chinese special envoy has made four shuttle visits for the important objective of listening to the two sides, accommodating their legitimate concerns, and seeking a path to resolve differences through dialogue and negotiation. Thanks to the joint efforts of all parties, the militaries of Cambodia and Thailand recently reached a ceasefire agreement, and China is pleased to see this progress.

Wang said that the trilateral meeting is timely. The three parties have held multiple bilateral talks here, and especially, the diplomatic and military departments of Cambodia and Thailand have engaged in face-to-face, in-depth exchanges. The discussions among the three parties were beneficial and constructive, leading to important consensus that:

It is necessary to look forward and move ahead together. The ceasefire agreement is hard-won and must not stagnate or be derailed halfway, let alone allow conflict to be reignited. This is not what the people want, nor what China hopes for.

Both sides should proceed step by step without stopping. The implementation of the ceasefire arrangement requires continuous communication and consultation. The restoration of bilateral relations should be gradually advanced. But as long as both sides maintain confidence and engage in equal dialogue, the goals will surely be achieved.

Rebuilding mutual trust is paramount. The conflict has led to a loss of trust, but Cambodia and Thailand are eternal neighbours with a long history of friendly exchanges. This gathering by the Fuxian Lake is intended to heal the wounds caused by the conflict, dispel the estrangement between the two sides, and truly restore friendly relations. This serves the interests of the Cambodian and Thai peoples and is the shared expectation of all parties. China will always be a promoter of the development of Cambodia-Thailand relations and is willing to provide all necessary assistance and support, including ceasefire monitoring, humanitarian aid, and demining cooperation.

After the trilateral meeting, a press release was issued, specifying five areas where Cambodia and Thailand will further strengthen communication and enhance understanding:

Myanmar peace and reconciliation discussed in four-party talks

During the tenth Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, which was held in Anning, in China’s southwestern Yunnan province, on August 15 Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi also held an important quadrilateral meeting on the sidelines, together with Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Myanmar Foreign Minister Than Swe, and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, which was focused on the situation in Myanmar and its implications for the country’s immediate neighbours.

Wang Yi said that China, Laos, and Thailand, as friendly neighbours of Myanmar, have a better understanding of Myanmar’s unique national conditions and are more eager to see Myanmar restore stability, achieve national reconciliation, hold an open and fair general election, and pursue a development path suited to its national conditions and supported by its people. Since the first quadrilateral meeting last year, the situation in Myanmar has generally stabilised, and efforts are underway to advance post-earthquake reconstruction and safeguard its sovereignty, independence and national stability. He called for adhering to a “Myanmar-led, Myanmar-owned” approach, supporting the choices of the Myanmar people, and resolving differences through dialogue. The Chinese Foreign Minister also stressed the importance of mediation by ASEAN (the Association of South East Asian Nations) and assistance from neighbouring countries, with ASEAN serving as the main channel, while also giving full play to mechanisms like the Informal Discussion between the Foreign Ministers of China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand and the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting among the Neighbouring Countries of Myanmar. He further urged prioritising people’s livelihoods and development, supporting Myanmar in improving people’s well-being and post-earthquake reconstruction, and promoting cooperation in various fields for people’s benefit, while warning against improper interference by external forces that could undermine regional stability.

The Myanmar side expressed gratitude for the support and assistance provided by China, Laos and Thailand, as friendly neighbouring countries, in addressing challenges. It reiterated its commitment to advancing the domestic peace and reconciliation process through political dialogue and stated that it is actively preparing for an open and transparent general election at the end of the year to return power to the people.

The Lao side expressed its support for a “Myanmar-led, Myanmar-owned” political process and for Myanmar’s general election to achieve peace, stability and national reconciliation.

The Thai side stated that the Myanmar issue is an internal affair of the country, and the international community should respect the choices of the Myanmar people.

The following article was originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

On August 15, 2025, China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand held an informal discussion between foreign ministers in Anning, Yunnan. Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane, Foreign Minister of Myanmar Than Swe, and Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa were present.

Wang Yi said that China, Laos, and Thailand, as friendly neighbors of Myanmar, have a better understanding of Myanmar’s unique national conditions and are more eager to see Myanmar restore stability, achieve national reconciliation, hold an open and fair general election, and pursue a development path suited to its national conditions and supported by its people. Since the first quadrilateral meeting last year, the situation in Myanmar has generally stabilized, and efforts are underway to advance post-earthquake reconstruction and safeguard its sovereignty, independence and national stability. Wang Yi called for adhering to a “Myanmar-led, Myanmar-owned” approach, supporting the choices of the Myanmar people, and resolving differences through dialogue. Wang Yi stressed the importance of mediation by ASEAN and assistance from neighboring countries, with ASEAN serving as the main channel, while also giving full play to mechanisms like the Informal Discussion between the Foreign Ministers of China, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand and the Foreign Ministers’ Meeting among the Neighboring Countries of Myanmar. He also urged prioritizing people’s livelihoods and development, supporting Myanmar in improving people’s well-being and post-earthquake reconstruction, and promoting cooperation in various fields for people’s benefit, while warning against improper interference by external forces that could undermine regional stability.

The Myanmar side briefed on the domestic situation and preparations for the upcoming general election, stating that since the last meeting, the domestic situation in Myanmar has generally deescalated and stabilized. The Myanmar side expressed gratitude for the support and assistance provided by China, Laos and Thailand, as friendly neighboring countries, in addressing challenges. The Myanmar side reiterated its commitment to advancing domestic peace and reconciliation process through political dialogue, and stated that it is actively preparing for an open and transparent general election at the end of the year to return power to the people.

The Lao side expressed its support for a “Myanmar-led, Myanmar-owned” political process and for Myanmar’s general election to achieve peace, stability and national reconciliation.

The Thai side stated that the Myanmar issue is an internal affair of the country, and the international community should respect the choices of the Myanmar people. The general election is an important step in Myanmar’s political transition. Thailand is willing to work with other ASEAN countries to provide support and assistance for the smooth progress of Myanmar’s general election based on the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.

The four foreign ministers exchanged views on joint efforts to combat cross-border crimes. Wang Yi pointed out that combating cross-border crimes bears on the well-being and safety of the people, represents a common concern of the four countries, and requires coordinated action. Since the last meeting, the four parties have closely cooperated, strengthened border control, and achieved notable results in jointly combating cross-border crimes. However, the regional security situation is still not optimistic, requiring continued coordinated efforts. First, strengthen conceptual guidance and institutional building to implement the Global Security Initiative. Second, strengthen joint operations and border control to block any attempt by lawbreakers to commit cross-border crimes. Third, strengthen capacity building and judicial coordination, and enhance publicity, education, and law enforcement training. Fourth, strengthen transformation development and social governance, coordinate security and development, continuously improve local socioeconomic conditions, and eradicate the breeding ground for illicit and gray industries.

The four parties agreed to continue to strengthen law enforcement and security cooperation, step up efforts to combat cross-border crimes, including online gambling, telecom fraud, drug and weapon trafficking, and human trafficking, and jointly safeguard regional peace and stability.

Trump presidency threatens us all

What follows is a blog post by Sophie Bolt, the new General Secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), on the threat posed by the Trump presidency to global peace.

Sophie notes that Trump has promised to “stop wars, not start them”, and yet he has already nominated several notorious warmongers to his cabinet, including Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, Michael Waltz as National Security Adviser, and John Ratcliffe as CIA director. Marco Rubio is an anti-China fanatic, who stands for more tariffs, more sanctions, more slander, more support for Taiwanese separatism, more weapons to Taipei, more provocations in the South China Sea, and more destabilisation in Hong Kong and Xinjiang. Waltz has long pushed for closer military cooperation with India, Japan, Australia and other countries in the region in preparation for war against China. Ratcliffe refers to China as “the top threat to US interests and the rest of the free world”.

The article points out that the incoming administration is likely to escalate the US-led New Cold War against China, as well as continuing the drive towards hot war:

As well as intensifying Trump’s protectionist ‘America First’ policy, by increasing tariffs on Chinese goods, a key focus will be racheting up a military confrontation with China. A military build up across the Asia Pacific has been underway for more than a decade, supported by 400 US military bases encircling China and the AUKUS nuclear alliance with Britain and Australia.

Meanwhile Trump’s climate denialism will be another major setback to global cooperation around the climate crisis.

This article was first posted on the CND website.

In Trump’s victory speech, he said he was going to stop wars, not start them. Excuse me if I’m not reassured. Based on his track record and the ultra-hawks he’s putting in the State Department, the threat of war and nuclear confrontation looks higher than ever.

Last time he was President, the US bombed Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq, carried out extra-judicial killings and developed ‘useable’ nuclear weapons. Under his leadership, the US withdrew from landmark nuclear arms control treaties including the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty, the Open Skies Treaty, and the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA). And it withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Trump’s new team for the State Department includes ultra China and Iran hawks, Marco Rubio, expected to be nominated for Secretary of State, and Mike Waltz, appointed National Security Advisor. Certainly Trump’s victory and open support for annexing the West Bank has already emboldened Netanyahu’s genocidal expansionism. This increases the risk of an all-out war on Iran.

As well as intensifying Trump’s protectionist ‘America First’ policy, by increasing tariffs on Chinese goods, a key focus will be racheting up a military confrontation with China. A military build up across the Asia Pacific has been underway for more than a decade, supported by 400 US military bases encircling China and the AUKUS nuclear alliance with Britain and Australia. Richard O’Brien, former security advisor to Trump, laid out in Foreign Affairs what to expect next. ‘As China seeks to undermine American economic and military strength,’ O’Brien argues, ‘Washington should return the favor—just as it did during the Cold War, when it worked to weaken the Soviet economy.’ This prospect of a new cold war is truly horrifying , when we remember how the nuclear arms race in the 1980s, lead to a permanent state of nuclear danger.

With speculation about what Trump will do in Ukraine, the new British government doesn’t want to take any chances of de-escalation. Starmer has again pressed Biden to agree to Ukraine’s use of its long-range Storm Shadow missiles, which could strike deep into Russian territory. He knows full well that Russia has changed its nuclear use policy in response to such an attack. This only reinforces the need for an urgent negotiated settlement.

NATO membership of Ukraine remains a key factor in the conflict and Ukrainian neutrality will be critical for de-escalating the crisis. But there is absolutely no evidence to back up concerns amongst NATO hawks that Trump will abandon the world’s most powerful nuclear alliance. On the contrary, Trump has called on NATO states to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP. So, continuing to push the burden of funding onto the populations of NATO states. This means the toxic combination of increased militarism, nuclear dangers and austerity policies will continue across Europe.

Trump’s election will strengthen the far right and fascists globally. In Britain, Farage and Tommy Robinson will be emboldened further to whip up hatred, justifying greater military spending for another world war.

And, as the US is one of the world’s largest polluters, Trump’s decision to pull out of Paris Climate Accord again, is another major set-back for climate action and investment in green technologies.

This shows more starkly than ever how war, racism, austerity, climate breakdown and nuclear annihilation are increasingly interlinked. We can’t allow this recklessly dangerous leader to drag the world towards annihilation. This is why CND is working with all those who oppose Trump to help build the broadest alliance possible for peace, justice and a sustainable, nuclear-free future.

Trump’s return – the critical issue for Britain remains disengaging from the US war chariot

In this insightful article for Stop the War Coalition, Andrew Murray discusses the implications of Trump’s return to the presidency for the anti-war movement in Britain.

Andrew notes that the collapse in the Democrat vote “is surely in part attributable to the Biden-Harris administration’s sustained and unqualified support for Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people”. While there is little prospect of a Trump administration being any better on this issue, the Democrats’ utter failure to stand up against the Gaza genocide has clearly lost them support among progressive voters.

In relation to China, while many had high hopes that Biden would adopt a less confrontational approach than Trump, in reality “Biden’s rhetoric and actions have been the most aggressive of any president since the 1960s”. Under the incoming Trump administration, “continuity in escalating confrontation is most likely”.

Andrew writes that, for the anti-war movement, “our fight is against imperialism” and, in Britain specifically, “the critical issue remains disengaging from the US war chariot”, regardless of whether it is driven by a Democrat or a Republican; regardless of whether its character is “centrist liberal war-mongering” or “populist chauvinist war-mongering”.

Andrew Murray is the political correspondent of the Morning Star. He has served as the Chair of the Stop the War Coalition, Chief of Staff at Unite the union, and as an adviser to Jeremy Corbyn MP when he was Leader of the Labour Party. The author of several books, he has contributed a chapter to the recently-released volume People’s China at 75 – The Flag Stays Red.

Donald Trump’s unexpectedly emphatic election victory clearly poses new challenges for the anti-war movement in Britain and globally, and calls for sober analysis.

Trump appears to have won the support of most working-class people who bothered to vote, including millions of Muslim Americans and larger minorities of African-Americans and Hispanic Americans than a Republican can usually expect.

Many issues obviously contributed to this, including the state of the US economy and cultural questions, broadly defined. However, war and peace impacted in two ways.

First, the huge collapse in the Democrat vote from 2020 (Trump’s poll also declined, but by much less) is surely in part attributable to the Biden-Harris administration’s sustained and unqualified support for Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people.

This made the idea of supporting Kamala Harris quite impossible for millions, who may instead have voted for Green candidate Jill Stein, other progressive candidates where they made the ballot, or simply have sat the election out. There is an analogy here to the masses who refused to back Keir Starmer’s Labour in July because of its support for Israel.

Second, part of Trump’s base lies in sections of the working class sick of the “forever wars” in which a liberal-neoconservative elite send ordinary Americans to die for US hegemony. The Biden administration has sat squarely in that imperialist tradition.

To those voters can be added a larger number who are receptive to the position advanced by Trump, and more stridently by his vice-president J D Vance, that the vast sums being sent in military and economic aid to Ukraine to prolong the war with Russia would be better spent on other things, or not at all.

Trump’s own record and rhetoric on world issues is reactionary without doubt. However, he has made much of not starting any fresh wars when last in office, and of trying to extricate the US from direct engagement in those that he inherits, or at least diminishing its involvement.

Jenny Clegg: Orienting our peace movement towards the Global South

The following is the text of Dr. Jenny Clegg’s speech to our conference celebrating the 75^th anniversary of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, held at London’s Bolivar Hall on September 28.

Jenny argues that now, as a wider war looms over us, it is imperative that leftists in the West understand the interconnections between multipolarity, the Global South and China so as to grasp what is going on in the world.

According to her analysis, for the Global South, China provides a model of successful development and the eradication of poverty; its vast market and investment resources puts it at the centre of South-South economic cooperation; whilst its diplomacy fosters unity and promotes pathways towards peace.

Whilst not skirting complexities and problematic factors, she notes that in the next few years, much depends on the BRICS+ holding together.

“The litmus test of BRICS+ right now is their independent foreign policies no matter how hesitant and unreliable… Now is not the time for sitting on the fence, picking and choosing what is right and wrong: that is for the utopian socialists. We have to seize the politics of the moment… if we in Britain can orientate especially our peace movement towards the Global South we will be doing something.”

Jenny is an independent writer and researcher, specialising in China’s development and international role; and a former Senior Lecturer in Asia Pacific Studies at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN). She is the author of ‘China’s Global Strategy: towards a multipolar world’

(Pluto Press, 2009) and ‘Storming the Heavens – Peasants and Revolution in China, 1925-1949 – from a Marxist perspective’ (Manifesto Press, 2024).

There’s more talk now in the Western mainstream about multipolarity, some acknowledgement at least that the world is beginning to change. But 15 years ago, when I was researching for my book on ‘China’s Global Strategy’, I really struggled to find any mention of multipolarity in Western literature. Yet at the time there was a great deal of debate amongst Chinese scholars about where China fitted into the multipolar trend.

Today mainstream views see a few random middle powers – Türkiye, Mexico, Malaysia, Australia – starting to play a more important role. The Chinese view, from a historical and materialist perspective, has long recognised multipolarisation as a rebalancing of world power driven by the rise of the Global South.

Now, as a wider war looms over us, it is imperative that leftists in the West understand the interconnections between multipolarity, the Global South and China so as to grasp what is going on in the world.

Amidst multiplying crises, Global South countries are increasingly looking to each other rather than the West. Given their experiences of vaccine apartheid, high interest rates exacerbating debt, inflation from the Ukraine war, the failure of rich nations to cough up on climate change, Global South countries have every reason to come together as a more vocal force for peace and development.

South-South networks are proliferating; the objective conditions for multipolarisation are unfolding – India and Brazil have risen into the top 10 world economies soon to be followed by Mexico, Indonesia, Nigeria displacing G7 members. And subjective consciousness is shifting: one after another, countries across the developing world refused to take sides in the Ukraine conflict – now they are united in horror of Israel’s genocide and in anger and disgust at the double standards of the West’s complicity.

Of course, past experience has shown Global South collective efforts are liable to succumb to imperialist division as when their 1974 call for a New International Economic order fell apart by the 1980s.

Today, the role of China as by far the largest developing state is critical.

For the Global South, China provides a model of successful development and the eradication of poverty; its vast market and investment resources puts it at the centre of South-South economic cooperation; whilst its diplomacy fosters unity and promotes pathways towards peace.

For sure there are problems – reproducing the pattern of colonial trade of raw materials for manufactured goods is hard to change in a short time. Investment projects through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have not always been the best or wisest, but even if as many as 40 percent run into difficulties – as some critics claim – that means 60 percent are working and are making a difference.

Now China is opening a path for developing countries to leapfrog into a green and digitised future. Throwing itself into the growth of new quality productive forces domestically, China is becoming the indispensable power in the global green transition.

Deals with China in general offer something stable to hold onto in an anarchic world economy. Against the colonial pattern, the recent China-Africa summit saw important commitments which will amount to one million jobs for African people.

Now, catching the new momentum in the Global South, China has accelerated its diplomatic activity in forums such as the SCO, the G77+, the BRICS+, the China-Africa and other such forums. Its global initiatives on development, security and civilisation carry forward the basic principles of the UN Charter building on the five principles of peaceful coexistence and the 1955 Bandung agreement.

Building a peaceful, nuclear-free tomorrow

The following text is of a speech by Sophie Bolt, incoming general secretary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND), at the World We Want conference held in London on 12 October 2024.

Sophie’s speech outlines the current geopolitical situation, in particular the risk of nuclear war, and the need for a mass movement to demand peace and disarmament. She observes that US global dominance is the number one obstacle in the way of a “peaceful, just, sustainable and nuclear-free world”. While many may have hoped that the end of the Cold War would have brought about a more peaceful world, the US developed an aggressive new strategy – the “Wolfowitz doctrine” – which aimed to prevent the rise of any rival power that could challenge US hegemony. “Using its political, economic and military might, the US has attempted to force countries to subordinate their economic and political interests to it. A carrot-and-stick approach, in which the US nuclear arsenal is the ultimate stick.”

Sophie notes that the global economic and political situation is changing, particularly with the emergence of China and the rise of BRICS. In a state of relative decline, the US is increasingly resorting to the use of military power to maintain and reassert its hegemony. “This is the key driver of global tensions which is pushing the world to the brink of destruction.”

The speech calls on the peace movement to mobilise against the US-led drive to war – including the New Cold War on China – and to support peace initiatives emerging from the Global South. For example, Brazil and China are coordinating towards peace talks between Russia and Ukraine; meanwhile South Africa has been blazing a trail on international legal action against Israel for its war crimes in Gaza.

Sophie concludes:

We must take hope and courage from these significant, progressive developments taking place across the global South. And the determined, committed movements that are growing here in the global North.

The text of the speech was first published in the Morning Star on 14 October 2024.

So, the world we want to see! For the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, we want a peaceful, just, sustainable and nuclear-free world. But, given where we currently are, how can we secure such a world?

From CND’s perspective, central to this question is overcoming the major obstacle — which is US global dominance.

Since the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945, the US has pursued a military doctrine that allows no rival economic or military power to emerge that can challenge it.

Far from ending the second world war, the dropping of these nuclear bombs was a ruthless, barbaric act to ensure the US emerged as the major superpower. It was a warning to every other country.

The bombing unleashed the nuclear arms race and started the cold war, taking the world to the brink of nuclear annihilation.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s, this doctrine was explicitly formalised, coined the “Wolfowitz doctrine,” after Paul Wolfowitz, under-secretary of defence to Dick Cheney. This is why — rather than disbanding Nato — the US aggressively expanded the nuclear-armed alliance right up to Russia’s borders.

Using its political, economic and military might, the US has attempted to force countries to subordinate their economic and political interests to it. A carrot-and-stick approach, in which the US nuclear arsenal is the ultimate stick.

But today, China’s economic growth has overtaken the US, and it is now the biggest economy in the world. Economic co-operation between Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — known as Brics — means these combined economies are larger than the G7. And this economic co-operation is growing, with Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates joining this year.

Building on past achievements and forging ahead together toward a Community with a Shared Future

Chinese Foreign Ministry Wang Yi, who is also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, visited New York from September 22-28 to attend the United Nations (UN) Summit of the Future and the general debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly as the special representative of President Xi Jinping.

During that week, in a hectic program, Wang Yi also attended a number of events hosted by China, including to promote the Global Development Initiative and to enhance international cooperation on AI, as well as multilateral events, including the Security Council High Level Open Debate, the BRICS foreign ministers’ meeting and the G20 foreign ministers’ meeting. He also met with the UN Secretary-General, the President of the 79th session of the General Assembly, and with leaders and foreign ministers of numerous countries.

On September 28, Wang Yi addressed the General Assembly, taking as his theme, ‘Building on Past Achievements and Forging Ahead Together Toward a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity’. He stated that:

This institution, the United Nations, embodies the aspirations of people across the world for lasting peace and common prosperity, and bears witness to the glorious journey of the international community coming together in pursuit of progress. President Xi Jinping stressed on multiple occasions that the role of the UN should be strengthened, not weakened.

He went on to note that, in today’s world:

The security of all countries is tied together. In the face of various kinds of global challenges and risks, no one can stay immune or enjoy security alone. Countries need to be guided by a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security. We should respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, take the legitimate security concerns of others seriously, and resolve disputes and differences through dialogue and consultation.
The development of all countries is deeply integrated. If the rich get richer while the poor remain poor, then “everyone is born equal” would become an empty slogan, and fairness and justice would be even more elusive. Achieving modernisation is a legitimate right of the people of all countries, not a prerogative of a few.
Each civilisation has its own strengths. President Xi Jinping pointed out that there is no such thing as a superior or inferior civilisation, and civilisations are different only in identity and location. We should respect the diversity of civilisations and strive to replace estrangement and clash of civilisations with exchanges and mutual learning.
Countries should all enjoy sovereign equality. As a large number of Global South nations are growing with a strong momentum, gone are the days when one or two major powers call the shots on everything. We should advocate an equal and orderly multipolar world, and see that all countries, regardless of their size, have their own place and role in the multipolar system.

Prior to addressing a number of the acute areas of conflict and tension at present, the Chinese Foreign Minister noted that:

Peace is the most precious thing in our world today. You may wonder if there is a path leading to peace. In fact, peace is the path. Without peace, development will not sustain; without peace, cooperation cannot happen. For the sake of peace, a single ray of hope is reason enough not to give up; the slightest chance deserves a hundredfold effort.

Besides outlining China’s positions on Ukraine and Afghanistan, Wang said:

The question of Palestine is the biggest wound to human conscience. As we speak, the conflict in Gaza is still going on, causing more civilian casualties with each passing day. Fighting has spread to Lebanon; might must not take the place of justice. Palestine’s long-held aspiration to establish an independent state should not be shunned anymore, and the historical injustice suffered by the Palestinian people should not be ignored any longer.

China, he added, has always been a staunch supporter of the just cause of the Palestinian people to regain their legitimate national rights, and a staunch supporter of Palestine’s full UN membership. We have recently helped to bring about breakthroughs in intra-Palestine reconciliation and will continue to work in concert with like-minded countries for a comprehensive and just settlement of the question of Palestine and durable peace and security in the Middle East.

The Korean peninsula, he stressed, should not experience war again. The important thing is to make persistent effort for de-escalation, commit to seeking solutions through dialogue and consultation, realise a transition from the armistice to a peace mechanism, and safeguard peace and stability on the peninsula.

China, once a victim of foreign power bullying, knows full well the value of peace and the hard-won gains of development. In fact, China is the only major country that has written peaceful development into its constitution, and the only country among the five nuclear-weapon states [recognised by the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)] to pledge no-first-use of nuclear weapons.

Wang further noted that:

In the face of unilateral, bullying acts such as sanctions and blockade, China firmly supports countries in defending their legitimate rights, upholding the equity and openness of the international system, making global development more coordinated and beneficial for all, and jointly opposing technology blockade and rejecting decoupling or severing supply chains. Sanctions and pressure will not bring monopolistic advantages. Suppressing and containing others will not solve problems at home. The right of people of all countries to pursue a better life should not be taken away. Here, we once again urge the United States to completely lift its blockade, sanctions and terrorism-related designation against Cuba.

In the face of aggravating ecological challenges, he said that China is firmly committed to a path of green, low-carbon and sustainable development. We will move from carbon peaking to carbon neutrality in the shortest time span in world history, contributing China’s efforts to harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature.

In conclusion, Wang Yi stated that:

Next year will mark the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the founding of this very organisation. China stands ready to work with all countries to renew the founding purposes and mission of the UN, reaffirm our steadfast commitment to the UN Charter, advocate and practice true multilateralism, build a community with a shared future for humanity, and jointly usher in a better world.

The following is the full text of the Chinese Foreign Minister’s speech. It was originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

Mr. President,
Colleagues,

Xi Jinping: Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence a groundbreaking achievement in the history of international relations

A conference marking the 70th anniversary of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence, a cornerstone of Chinese foreign policy, was held in Beijing on June 28. With guests from around the world, including former political leaders from some 20 countries, President Xi Jinping made an important speech, and the event was moderated by Premier Li Qiang.

In his speech, President Xi said that the five principles, “marked a groundbreaking and epoch-making achievement in the history of international relations.”

He noted:

“The Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence answered the call of the times, and its initiation was an inevitable historic development. In the wake of the Second World War, national independence and liberation movements swept across the globe, and the colonial system around the world crumbled and collapsed. At the same time, the world was overshadowed by the dark clouds of the Cold War.”

Meanwhile, newly independent countries aspired to safeguard their sovereignty and grow their national economy. New China followed the principle of independence, actively sought peaceful coexistence with all countries, and endeavoured to improve its external environment, especially in its neighbourhood.

Having been endorsed in joint statements with India and Myanmar, in 1955, “more than 20 Asian and African countries attended the Bandung Conference. They proposed ten principles for handling state-to-state relations on the basis of the Five Principles, and advocated the Bandung spirit of solidarity, friendship and cooperation. The Non-Aligned Movement that rose in the 1960s adopted the Five Principles as its guiding principles. The Declaration on Principles of International Law adopted at the 25th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1970 and the Declaration on the Establishment of the New International Economic Order adopted at the Sixth Special UNGA Session in 1974 both endorsed the Five Principles.”

Xi Jinping went on to note that:

The principles fully conform with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, with the evolving trend of international relations of our times, and with the fundamental interests of all nations.
When following the Five Principles, even countries that differ from each other in social system, ideology, history, culture, faith, development stage, and size can build a relationship of mutual trust, friendship and cooperation.
Inspired and encouraged by the Five Principles, more and more countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America have voiced and extended support to each other, stood up against foreign interference, and embarked on an independent path of development. The Five Principles have also boosted South-South cooperation and improved and further developed North-South relations.
The Five Principles were initiated with the purpose of protecting the interests and pursuits of small and weak countries from power politics. They categorically oppose imperialism, colonialism and hegemonism, and reject belligerent and bullying practices of the law of the jungle.

Seventy years ago, the Chinese leader continued, “our forefathers, who experienced the scourge of hot wars and the confrontation of the Cold War, concluded that the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence were the crucial way to safeguard peace and sovereignty. This answer has withstood the test of international vicissitudes and has become more appealing rather than obsolete. Seventy years later today, challenged by the historic question of ‘what kind of world to build and how to build it,’ China has answered the call of the times by proposing a community with a shared future for humanity.”

Xi went on to say that both the five principles and the concept of a community with a shared future for humanity “demonstrate the broad vision of the Communist Party of China to contribute more to humanity.”

“Looking at the past and future at this critical moment in history, we believe our exploration for the betterment of human civilisation will not end, and our efforts for a better world will not end. No matter how the world evolves, one basic fact will not change. There is only one Planet Earth in the universe, and the whole humanity have one common home.”

On this basis, Xi set out a number of imperatives:

We need to uphold the principle of sovereign equality.

The five principles reject the big subduing the small, the strong bullying the weak, and the rich exploiting the poor.

We need to cement the foundation of mutual respect.

We must jointly uphold the “golden rule” of non-interference, and jointly oppose acts of imposing one’s will on others, stoking bloc confrontation, creating small circles, and forcing others to pick sides.

We need to turn the vision for peace and security into reality.

All countries must work together to seek peace, safeguard peace, and enjoy peace. In today’s interdependent world, absolute security and exclusive security are just not viable.

We need to unite all forces to achieve prosperity.

Here Xi invokes a Latin American proverb: “The only way to be profitably national is to be generously universal.”

We need to commit to fairness and justice.

China believes in true multilateralism. Our goal is that international rules should be made and observed by all countries. World affairs should be handled through extensive consultation, not dictated by those with more muscles.

We need to embrace an open and inclusive mindset.

All countries are on board the same giant ship. It carries on it not only aspirations for peace, economic prosperity and technological advancement, but also the diversity of civilisations and the continuation of the human species.

Whilst the Five Principles are intended to address the full spectrum of international relations, Xi emphasised that:

“Of all the forces in the world, the Global South stands out with a strong momentum, playing a vital role in promoting human progress. Standing at a new historical starting point, the Global South should be more open and more inclusive and join hands together to take the lead in building a community with a shared future for humanity.”

Addressing the Global South, he made the following calls:

Together, we should be the staunch force for peace.
Together, we should be the core driving force for open development.
Together, we should be the construction team of global governance.
Together, we should be the advocates for exchange among civilisations.

He continued by outlining a series of concrete measures that China will take to better support Global South cooperation.

Noting that, “the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence has been written into China’s Constitution long before,” Xi said that:

“China’s resolve to stay on the path of peaceful development will not change. We will never take the trodden path of colonial plundering, or the wrong path of seeking hegemony when one becomes strong. We will stay on the right path of peaceful development. Among the world’s major countries, China has the best track record with respect to peace and security. It has been exploring for a distinctly Chinese approach to resolving hotspot issues. It has been playing a constructive role in the Ukraine crisis, the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and issues relating to the Korean peninsula, Iran, Myanmar, and Afghanistan. Every increase of China’s strength is an increase of the prospects of world peace.”

The conference also adopted a Beijing Declaration, summarising key viewpoints of the participants.

We reprint below the full text of President Xi Jinping’s speech and of the Beijing Declaration. They were originally published on the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

China and the struggle for peace

The following text is based on presentations given by Friends of Socialist China co-editor Carlos Martinez at Morning Star Readers and Supporters meetings in Manchester (19 February), Leeds (13 March) and Brighton 24 March), on the subject of China’s global strategy.

Carlos responds to the assertion by Western politicians and media that China is an aggressive and expansionist power, comparing China’s foreign policy record with that of the United States. He shows that China’s foreign policy is based on the principles of peace, development and win-win cooperation, and explains how this approach is rooted in China’s history and ideology, and is consistent with China’s overall strategic goals.

Carlos also takes note of China’s contribution to the global struggle for multipolarity and to the project of global development. He highlights the Belt and Road Initiative and China’s role in the struggle against climate catastrophe.

The text concludes:

On questions of peace, of development, of protecting the planet, China is on the right side of history. It’s a force for good. As socialists, as progressives, as anti-war activists, as anti-imperialists, we should consider China to be on our side… Those of us who seek a sustainable future of peace and prosperity, of friendship and cooperation between peoples, have a responsibility to oppose this New Cold War, to oppose containment and encirclement, to demand peace, to promote cooperation with China, to promote understanding of China, to build people-to-people links with China, and to make this a significant stream of a powerful mass anti-war movement that our governments can’t ignore.

The Manchester event was also addressed by Jenny Clegg; the Leeds event by Kevan Nelson; and the Brighton event by Keith Bennett.

I’m going to focus my remarks on China’s international relations and its global strategy. This is a subject about which there’s a great deal of misunderstanding and obfuscation, particularly in the context of an escalating New Cold War that’s being led by Washington and that the British ruling class is only too happy to go along with.

The mainstream media is full of hysteria about China’s “aggression” or “assertiveness”. When China reiterates its position on Taiwan – a position which in fact has not meaningfully changed in the last seven decades, and which is completely in line with international law – it’s accused of ramping up the threat of war.

When China refuses to go along with the US’s illegal, unilateral sanctions (for example on Russia, Iran, Syria, Nicaragua, Cuba, Venezuela, Eritrea and Zimbabwe), it’s accused of “subverting the international rules-based order”.

When China establishes bilateral relations and trade agreements with Solomon Islands, Honduras, Nicaragua and Nauru, it’s accused of engaging in colonial domination.

When Chinese companies invest in Africa, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Pacific, they’re accused of imposing debt traps.

And unfortunately much of the left takes a fairly similar position to the ruling class on these issues, considering that China’s an imperialist power, that it’s engaged in a project of expansionism.

This sort of analysis on the left leads inexorably to a position of “Neither Washington Nor Beijing”, putting an equals sign between the US and China; putting China in the same category as the imperialist powers. According to this analysis, the basic dynamic of global politics is today that of inter-imperialist rivalry between the US and China.

And of course if that’s the case, if China’s just another imperialist power, and its only interest is growing its own profit margins and competing with the US, Britain, the EU, Canada and Japan for control of the world’s resources, labour, land and markets, it goes without saying that the global working class and oppressed – the vast majority of the population of the world – cannot possibly consider China to be a strategic ally in the pursuit of a better, fairer, more peaceful, more equal, more prosperous, more sustainable world.

China’s view of international relations

How does China consider its role in the world? What does the Communist Party of China propose regarding China’s foreign relations?

What the Chinese leadership calls for is “building a global community of shared future, with the goal of creating an open, inclusive, clean and beautiful world that enjoys lasting peace, universal security, and common prosperity.”

China consistently expresses its commitment to multipolarity; to peace; to maximum and mutually beneficial cooperation around economic development and tackling climate change, pandemics, and the threat of nuclear war; to working within the context of the UN Charter and international law in support of peaceful coexistence.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi, at his recent Meet the Press session, talked of China “advocating vigorously for peace, development, cooperation and mutual benefit”, and urged that “countries should rise above their differences in history, culture, geography and system, and work together to protect the Earth, the only inhabitable planet for us all, and make it a better place.”

Xi Jinping often talks about China’s orientation towards peace: “Without peace, nothing is possible. Maintaining peace is our greatest common interest and the most cherished aspiration of people of all countries.”

All of this is of course a pretty beautiful and compelling vision. But to what extent does it line up with reality? To what extent is China actually working towards peace, development and sustainability? To what extent does China diverge from the model of international relations pursued by the US and its imperialist allies?

Britain, China, and the struggle for peace

What follows is the text of a speech given by Kevan Nelson, International Secretary of the Communist Party of Britain (CPB), at a public meeting in Leeds on 13 March 2024 on the theme of The Struggle for Peace: Understanding China’s Position in 21st Century Geopolitics. The meeting was organised by the Morning Star Readers and Supporters Group in Yorkshire, and was also addressed by Friends of Socialist China co-editor Carlos Martinez.

Kevan starts with an overview of the British media’s portrayal of China – overwhelmingly negative and fearmongering – and goes on to explain the CPB’s position on China, which is based on a Marxist-Leninist analysis of the country’s history, politics and economy. He observes that “our Party has always been committed to the defence of countries building socialism”, and affirms the party’s firm opposition to the propaganda war and the escalating US-led New Cold War. Kevan explains that the CPB’s position is based on the pursuit of peace and cooperation, and that it wholeheartedly supports the efforts of campaigns and platforms such as Friends of Socialist China, the Stop the War Coalition, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, and No Cold War.

While “income inequality remains a major concern” in China (one that is being actively addressed), Kevan argues that “the processes of capital accumulation are politically subordinated to state power aligned to socialist goals” and that “a mass communist party and the potential for popular mobilisation remains the basis of this state power”.

Kevan notes the importance of Chinese trade and investment to the British economy, and the potential for mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries. However, “the New Cold War threatens to undermine all these mutual benefits – particularly tens of thousands of jobs in the affected sectors – something trade unionists should consider when facing externally orchestrated calls for a boycott of China.”

The speech concludes with a call for developing deeper people-to-people relations between Britain and China, and building friendship and solidarity around shared interests of peace, progress and socialism.

Thanks for the invitation to speak at this important meeting which is an antidote to the relentless barrage of anti-China propaganda we are being subjected to in this period of the New Cold War against China.

Anyone reading the British press – the magnificent Morning Star excepted – is left in little doubt: China is our enemy.

The FT reported that ‘Biden vows to fight if China invades Taiwan’ – the same paper three days later ran a headline ‘China poses greatest threat, warns Blinken’.

The Guardian informs us that ‘China offers cash and spiritual rewards to citizens for national security tip offs’ (the spiritual reward being a mere certificate, not a weekend in heaven!).

The Economist (by far the worst offender) warns that ‘Chinese money is pouring into Britain’s universities. Critics say it comes at the cost of free speech’.

The Daily Mail claimed that the ‘NHS is dangerously reliant on China with 1 in 6 medical items coming from Beijing’, and a final example from the Daily Mirror: ‘I survived a labour detention camp where prisoners had organs harvested’ – this from a Falun Gong sect member who defected to Britain 15 years ago and did not witness anything of the sort.

At a Friends of Socialist China webinar last year – co-sponsored by the Morning Star – about the propaganda warfare being waged against China by the US and its allies, Danny Haiphong dismissed this relentless propaganda as ‘an imperialist and racist set of fabrications wielded in the interests of US unipolar hegemony’. The examples of this are endless and explain why many in the West increasingly perceive China as a hostile power.

The Communist Party of Britain’s attitude to China

In terms of the Communist Party’s attitude to China, our Party has always been committed to the defence of countries building socialism.

That is no less the case with China today than with the Russian Revolution in its early years, the Chinese Revolution in 1949 and the Cuban Revolution in 1959.

Looking back at Party statements, it is remarkable at how little has changed since the early days of China leaving the orbit of capitalism and imperialism.

In his report to the 21st National Congress of the Communist Party, November 1949 (75 years ago), Harry Pollitt said:

‘In the Far East, American imperialism is building up Japan… as well as maintaining puppet governments in South Korea and the Philippines, and Chiang Kai-shek in Formosa (today known as Taiwan). It has threatened New China with disruption and is fomenting counter-revolution wherever it can find agents in China. Under cover of warning the People’s Armies that any advance beyond the frontiers of China will be met by force, American imperialism is encouraging war preparations in Tibet, which is an old province of China. At the same time, the British Government has heavily reinforced Hong Kong, and may at any moment launch provocative action’.

Today the Uyghurs of Xinjiang may have replaced the Dalai Lama and Tibet as the main focus of destabilisation and propaganda, but the playbook of imperialism remains the same.

Everyone should wake up to US’ blame game in Red Sea, Ukraine crises

In this article, originally published in Global Times, British academic James A. Smith notes that the United States and Britain are currently engaged in a bombing campaign against Yemen, which flows from US support for Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza, yet “according to US officials, it is China who should apparently be making the peace.”

Smith argues:

“We’ve heard this all before. The US has also repeatedly stated that it is China’s responsibility to ensure peace in the Ukraine conflict too. However, the reality is that in both scenarios, not only does US foreign policy run completely contrary to the interests of peace, but moreover, the White House has no intention in either instance of attempting a balanced peace scenario brokered on China’s terms.

“Instead, what is being asked is that Beijing capitulates to enforcing American-centric goals and interests in respect to each conflict. And of course, because US officials know there is no chance of that happening, the goal of these public overtures is merely a propaganda effort to smear China as being responsible or culpable for the given wars that US is in fact escalating, and thus to frame China as a threat to the international order. American foreign policy is not driven by an attempt to ensue balance, peace or stability, but on a prerequisite goal that it must always maintain unilateralist hegemony at all costs.”

According to the author, as China will not support unilateralist American foreign policy goals in seeking peace, the US subsequently uses this to push a narrative that China is a threat to the peace. This is the propaganda game played by US officials. It is an act of gaslighting to demand that China support peace, when in fact it means supporting American strategic goals.

Dr. James A. Smith is a senior lecturer in Literature and Theory at Royal Holloway, University of London, and the author of Other People’s Politics: Populism to Corbynism.

Recently, the US asked China to “help” maintain the flow of Red Sea shipping. The US is currently in a state of conflict with Houthi rebels in Yemen. The cause of the conflict is a failure of the US to push for a ceasefire and peace negotiations in Israel, which has caused regional tensions and instability. The US and UK, in turn, have responded with a bombing campaign in Yemen. However, according to US officials, it is China who should apparently be making the peace.

We’ve heard this all before. The US has also repeatedly stated that it is China’s responsibility to ensure peace in the Ukraine conflict too. However, the reality is that in both scenarios, not only does US foreign policy run completely contrary to the interests of peace, but moreover, the White House has no intention in either instance of attempting a balanced peace scenario brokered on China’s terms.

Instead, what is being asked is that Beijing capitulates to enforcing American-centric goals and interests in respect to each conflict. And of course, because US officials know there is no chance of that happening, the goal of these public overtures is merely a propaganda effort to smear China as being responsible or culpable for the given wars that US is in fact escalating, and thus to frame China as a threat to the international order.

American foreign policy is not driven by an attempt to ensue balance, peace or stability, but on a prerequisite goal that it must always maintain unilateralist hegemony at all costs. To this end, contemporary US foreign policymaking, unlike the Cold War, does not yield a notion of compromise with states that it deems to be adversaries. Rather, its objectives focus on preventing the breakdown of unipolarity and enabling strategic competitors to emerge which challenge the post-1991 status quo. In other words, the US pursues maximalist goals and does not compromise on “strategic space” in its diplomacy and continually aims to expand its leverage.

That is why, for example, the US was not prepared to compromise on the subject of NATO in order to alleviate tensions with Russia or bring a swift end to the Ukraine conflict. Instead, it sets itself on a policy that aimed to use the conflict as a means to impose a zero-sum strategic defeat on Moscow so that it could eliminate them as a competitor and destroy economic integration between Russia and Europe. The US only finds a peace outcome acceptable if it supports all its strategic goals.

Given this, when China proposed a peace plan for the Ukraine conflict last year, the US readily dismissed it. Yet at the same time, the US had repeatedly asked China to put “pressure” on Russia, to end the conflict. What does this mean? It does not mean brokering a peace or a mutually acceptable resolution, but rather subduing Moscow to follow American foreign policy preferences, which is of course a total non-starter. China isn’t being asked to make peace or find a mutually acceptable resolution, but to act on the behalf of the US.

Therefore, as China will not support unilateralist American foreign policy goals in seeking peace, the US subsequently uses this to push a narrative that China is a “threat” to the peace. This is the propaganda game played by US officials. It is an act of “gaslighting” to demand that China support “peace,” when in fact it means supporting “American strategic goals.” When China does not comply, it is accused of deliberately prolonging and enabling the conflict.

The mainstream media in turn responds by assuming that China “supports” the side against the US in the given conflict. In the process, the narrative then whitewashes the actual culpability America has in having created those wars in the first place through its pursuit of unilateralist and zero-sum policies. One example of this is refusing to compromise on the expansion of NATO, or alternatively, giving Israel unconditional and uncritical backing in the war on Gaza and even resorting to more military solutions when the instability escalates. Yet China, a bystander, who does not have a direct stake in any of these conflicts, and would prefer peace and stability as its primary goals, is somehow framed as the threat in a conspiracy against the West. This is the game the US plays, and everyone should wake up to it.

Webinar: Building solidarity and opposing the New Cold War – Peace delegates report back from China

Date	Sunday 18 February
Time	4pm Britain / 11am US Eastern / 8am US Pacific

Although the Biden administration has made some small gestures towards improving US-China relations, the US continues to escalate its campaign of encirclement and containment. The US has ramped up its military aid to Taiwan; it is attempting to strengthen the AUKUS nuclear alliance; it is doing everything it can to prevent China’s emergence as a major computing power; it is imposing sanctions and tariffs on China; and it is relentlessly spreading lurid anti-China slander.

Recognising the terrible dangers posed by the New Cold War (and its potential degeneration into a hot war), a number of peace activists from the US have recently taken part in delegations to China, in order to build understanding and solidarity, and to see China’s reality with their own eyes.

We will hear back from these peace delegates and discuss ways to continue building people-to-people links between the West and China, and to develop a powerful movement for peace and cooperation.

Speakers

Ajamu Baraka (Coordinating Committee Chairperson, Black Alliance for Peace)
Bahman Azad (President, US Peace Council)
Sara Flounders (Co-director, the International Action Center)
Danny Haiphong (Youtuber; Author, ‘American Exceptionalism and American Innocence’)
Dee Knight (DSA International Committee’s Anti-War Subcommittee)
Lee Siu Hin (Founder, China-US Activist Solidarity Project)
Charles Xu (Writer and researcher, Qiao Collective)
Radhika Desai (Convenor, International Manifesto Group)
Chinese People’s Association for Peace and Disarmament
Communist Party USA International Department

Organisers

This webinar is jointly organised by Friends of Socialist China and the International Manifesto Group.