China Botched its Chance to Be a Peacemaker

After Russia invaded Ukraine, China had a unique opportunity to become the world’s leading superpower by taking the lead in denouncing Russia and brokering peace. The failure to seize this moment speaks volumes about the intentions and mindset of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

The Peace Scenario

Imagine the following scenario: Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to invade Ukraine and asks his closest ally, Chinese President Xi Jinping, for moral support. Xi responds that if he does this, China will cease all trade, including purchasing gas, which is so important for Russia. If Putin ignores the warning and invades anyway, China publicly denounces Russia as a rogue state and demands international sanctions.

Not only would this action likely prevent an invasion, but it would also propel China onto the world stage as a peacemaker and prime mover of world politics. Xi would get all the glory while the United States would be left in the dust. He would possibly secure a Nobel Peace Prize nomination for his ability to prevent a war and create stability in the world.

Reality

Nothing like that happened. On the contrary, China not only knew in advance about the plans to invade but approved it, according to U.S. officials. China’s only request was that Putin wait until after the Olympics. Truth is the first casualty of war, so it might still be war propaganda even if the US government validates the information. Cautious readers should keep this possibility in mind.

Nevertheless, even if Putin never discussed the invasion with Xi, China still had the opportunity to condemn Russia and take the lead in global politics. Instead, it chose to be among the few countries in the world that abstained from a UN resolution to condemn the invasion.

Unlike Russia, China is strategically smart in manipulating the West through propaganda. It does not shy away from any opportunity to smear America as racist, even while it holds Uighurs in concentration camps and while you must be of Han Chinese descent to hold a high position in the government. It would fit the strategic profile of the CCP to outmaneuver America as the force for world peace due to the soft power this would provide.

Taiwan

That the communists did not take this free money lying on the table tells us that they have other plans that probably involve a close alliance with Russia. Giving up the possibility of being a peacemaker indicates goals that would destroy that reputation. Most likely, it would be an invasion of Taiwan.

It is no secret that communist China has desired to “reunify” with Taiwan ever since Chiang Kai-Shek established it as the base for the Chinese resistance to communism in 1949. It has always been a thorn in the side of the CCP because it is a constant reminder that a free and prosperous alternative to totalitarianism exists. Taiwan’s success humiliates China every day because it demonstrates that the same race of people with the same religion, culture, and language can do so much better without the chains of communism.

Therefore, China is watching the fate of Russia’s invasion with keen interest. If Putin can get away with annexing Ukraine without crushing consequences, why wouldn’t Xi be able to do the same in Taiwan?

~ Read more from Caroline Adana.