On July 28, 2022, Charge d’Affaires, a.i. of the Chinese Embassy in Cyprus, Mr. Wang Sheng, published an article entitled "Cold War mentality Goes against Spirit of the Times" in Cyprus Mail, the English-language newspaper with the largest circulation in Cyprus. He resolutely opposes the propaganda of Cold War mentality against China and the dissemination of China-related false information by some scholars of western countries in Cyprus’ mainstream media. Elaborating China's position and proposition on the issues including Indo-Pacific version of NATO, so-called "trade coercion" and "hostage diplomacy", China's relations with South Pacific island countries, and the South China Sea, the article emphasizes that Asia-Pacific region is a stabilising anchor for world peace, a growth pole for development and a new focus for cooperation, and China has an irreplaceable role in the development and prosperity of this region. China is willing to work with all parties to practise open regionalism and true multilateralism, and join hands to build Asia-Pacific into a home for all and a community with a shared future for mankind. The full text of the article is as follows:

On July 19, Cyprus Mail published a reportage titled “As China flexes its muscles in the Indo-Pacific, Canada and Austraila must step up”.

I deeply regret the strong Cold War mentality, ideological bias, and the alarming amount of false information about China the reportage presented, and feel obliged to clarify and share my thoughts from a more objective point of view.

In today’s world, the deficits in peace, development, governance and trust are extremely prominent and imminently needs the collective actions of the countries around the world.

The hyping up of the Cold War mentality and provocation of bloc confrontation through building self-serving and exclusive “circles” by some people go against the trend of the times. They do nothing but exacerbate global tensions, which is not in the interest of peace and development of the Asia-Pacific and the world at large.

It is no secret that Nato tries to build a version of itself in the Indo-Pacific to contain China. Nato’s recent positioning of China as a “systemic challenge” smears China’s foreign policy, normal military development and national defence policy.

China has always been a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of international order.

China has never invaded any country, or engaged in proxy wars, nor has it joined or formed any military bloc. Anyone without prejudice that makes a comparative study between Nato’s role in past international conflicts and China-proposed Global Security Initiative and Global Development Initiative, will be brought to a merit-based conclusion.

Under the current context of complex and turbulent situations, Nato’s expansion into the Asia-Pacific will surely be opposed by the vast majority of the countries in this region.

The accusations of so-called “trade coercion” and “hostage diplomacy” against China are groundless and distorting the facts. For any bilateral relationship, a healthy and stable political relationship is the precondition and guarantee for practical cooperation.

Moreover, the necessary measures taken by competent Chinese authorities on defective products exported to China fully comply with Chinese laws, regulations and international practices. It is beyond reproach.

Speaking of “hostage diplomacy”, I am afraid that China is the real victim. I believe our memories are still fresh of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou, who was arbitrarily detained in Canada for 1028 days.

China is a country under the rule of law. In the cases of Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig, the facts about the crimes the committed, that endangered China’s national security were conclusive.

They both confessed to the facts of the crime and hand-wrote confessions and repentance. The reportage distorted the facts, confused right and wrong, and misplaced the victim and perpetrator.

The development of relations between China and the South Pacific island countries is not born out of nowhere, but an ensuing result of China’s adherence to the principles of equality, mutual respect, mutual benefit and win-win in dealing with all countries whether big or small.

China has never forced those island countries to take sides, or coerced them to trade, nor has it ever sought selfish gain or so-called “spheres of influence”.

China has firmly upheld and respected other countries’ sovereignty in the spirit of the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.

China’s security cooperation with the Solomon Islands is based on equal consultation and is conducive to promoting the latter’s social stability and long-term peace.

If the Solomon Islands is to make a “sovereign choice” as the reportage says, then the Australian government should not have repeatedly intervened and pressured the sovereign act of the Solomon Islands government.

The reportage also mentioned the South China Sea issue. China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea were established throughout a long course of history and have been upheld by successive Chinese governments.

They are consistent with international law including the UN Charter and UNCLOS. China works with ASEAN countries to fully and effectively implement the “Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea” and actively promote consultations on the “Code of Conduct in the South China Sea”.

The countries directly involved in the South China Sea issue have unanimously agreed to properly resolve maritime disputes through dialogue and consultation, and the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea has never been undermined.

Then why do some countries outside the region still want to intervene? I am afraid that their purpose is not to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea, but to drive a wedge between China and countries alongside the South China Sea.

The importance of the Asia-Pacific region to the world cannot be overemphasized. Home to half of the world’s population and 60% of global GDP, Asia-Pacific is a stabilising anchor for world peace, a growth pole for development and a new focus for cooperation.

China actively integrates itself into Asia-Pacific regional cooperation and has always been open to other countries’ participation in Asia-Pacific affairs.

At present, China’s contribution rate to Asia-Pacific economic growth exceeds 58%, while 62% of China’s trade, 86% of its actual foreign investment and 73% of its foreign direct investment relate to APEC members. China has an irreplaceable role in the development and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region.

The Asia-Pacific region should be a place for cooperation and development, not a chessboard for power games. The momentum of peace, stability and development in the Asia-Pacific region has not come easily and deserves to be cherished by all parties.

It is hoped that Canada, Australia and other countries in this region will meet China halfway, encourage positive interactions in the Asia-Pacific, respect each other’s legitimate rights and interests, forsake hostility and containment policies, practise open regionalism and true multilateralism, jointly address COVID-19, post-pandemic economic recovery and other global challenges, and build Asia-Pacific into a home for all and a community with a shared future for mankind.