By Tenzin Choezom
This world that consists of countries which claim to walk hand in hand with change and modernity has often at times neglected the basic values and the base on which the human race was supposedly built upon. The global trade and economy has seen drastic changes in the past years and has brought immense prosperity to many leading and powerful countries. China is undoubtedly one of them and has extended their reach and hold upon many countries, be it the ones at the top of the game or the ones who are powerless and often the ones who faces loss at the end of the bargain. The fates of these small countries are often bound in the hands of the opposing powerful ones.
China stands amongst the top when it comes to imposing their authoritarian rule. Tibet, Hong Kong and the Uyghurs are the ones who are currently facing the direct wrath of the Chinese forced rule and rivalry. The communist government has been accused for their unlawful acts on various occasions but they have rarely been held accountable for it. This may be due to their place in the global trade and economy or merely for the maintenance of personal relationships. China illegally occupied Tibet and has till then tortured and killed countless Tibetans. The genocide in Tibet still continues and the Tibetans in Tibet have no access to the basic human rights for that matter. Organizations like the UN should have held investigations against the brutality of the Chinese rule in Tibet and acted against it but no action has been taken against the accused ever. The only constant thing in Tibet has been the atrocious acts and the rise in the level of brutality and surveillance.
To much surprise, the recent G7, EU-US and NATO Summits saw differing stands against the Chinese Communist Nation. Directly or indirectly, there were many references hurled in relation to China’s ways of workings and how they pose as a threat or might later challenge the interests of the organizations stated above. It is no news that China has been accused of starting and spreading the COVID-19 virus. The Pandemic that shook the entire world to its core, starting from the end of 2019 till now affected the global economy immensely. The effects that it had on the human lives however can neither be calculated nor revived. The Summits however threw much light on how the pandemic and its effects can be controlled and improved. The G7 Summit also had discussions regarding China coming off as a threat to the global harmony. The issues at talk were about the COVID origin which eventually leads to China being the accused, the issue of human rights and also about the Belt and Road Initiative. The Summit happened in the presence of the leaders of the G7 and President Biden of the United States raised a strong case regarding China’s growing economic influence, the concerning matter of the human rights violations and the origin of the pandemic. Beijing however called back against the summit and even raised questions regarding the relevance of the bloc.
The communist government also questioned how a few countries could make decisions for the whole world. China has neither put out any statements regarding the concerns over their image nor came out with any response to the ongoing controversial issues against them.
It came off as a surprise to many to see President Biden raised such disputes against the Chinese government and also try to involve the other leaders of the European countries to comply with it. Some of the European leaders, due to their relations with China opted for the safer way to keep themselves out of the heated discussion. Biden however left the G7 summit after making sure to put the mere fact forward that China is a growing global threat to democracy. The NATO summit also had talks regarding China’s growing military prowess and how the communist nation stands against the Western values that NATO was formed to defend. President Biden’s openness about his views related to China was something that came off as a shock to many. Some, on the other hand sees it as a way to bring the US back on the podium as the most powerful and unbeatable nation. Biden being this straightforward is undoubtedly good for the nations suffering under the Chinese communist, authoritarian rule.
When it comes to the issues about the violation of human rights then Tibetans are the first ones who should get justice. Tibetans have suffered endlessly and are still living under the brutal rule of the red Chinese. The US can definitely bring a change if they agree to help the nation of Tibet and render their support in every way possible. Biden’s open challenge to China can be a way for China to finally be held accountable for their decades or even centuries of illegal force and torture against the nations that they have held tightly in their grasps.
There have been instances where members of the US parliament have supported the Tibetan cause and raised voice against the genocide happening inside Tibet. The further changes in the policies that US has made or will hopefully make in the future will affect China to a great extent. According to Reuters, an international news organization, the Biden administration has ordered a ban on the US imports of an important solar panel material from Chinese-based Hoshine Silicone Industry Co. over forced labour allegations. President Biden also ordered a new executive order barring American investment into Chinese firms with alleged ties to defence and surveillance technology sectors. There were also several talks held between US and China since Biden’s presidential term began. China is not a nation that will back down easily without a fight but just the fact that the US might come off as a threat to the communist government is a great news to many. Tibetans, the people of Hong Kong and the Uyghurs might finally get the justice that they deserve and their voices will finally be heard. Tibetans have seen decades of torture and hopelessness due to China’s extensive scheming and plotting. China has continuously carried on with their forced rule and torment because they were never questioned or challenged. If the US involvement continues then China will face a worthy opponent and their growing hold on the global trade, economy and military will lessen. Biden has intentionally or unintentionally put a spark of hope for the countries under China. China’s defeat in the global world will mean a way for the victims targeted by the communist government and a ray of hope to gain justice and independence. Tibetans amongst the lot can stay hopeful that this might push the freedom struggle to a better level and would eventually lead to the Tibetans getting their freedom and their country back.