leeanna.maharaj@guardian.co.tt
The Assistant Foreign Affairs Minister of the People’s Republic of China, Hua Chunying, has criticised the United States of America for its treatment of China. Speaking at a meet and greet hosted at the National Library and Information System Authority (NALIS) yesterday, she referred to the US’ “bullying” tactics when asked about the two countries’ relationship.
She said although the US called China its geopolitical competitor, they do not have an equal footing, because they are constantly trying to bring them down. Chunying made an analogy about the two countries running a race in the Olympics.
“Instead of focusing on how to give the best performance or how to create or break his own record, he always tries to trip or even break the legs of his competitor. Can you still call that a competition? No, it’s not a competition, it’s bullying, right? This is the situation we are facing with the United States, and we all know that the United States is also lobbying and lying with its few allies to limit, ban, to cut cheap exports to China, because he’s afraid China may take advantage, to catch up in the science and technological developments,” Chunying said.
She went further to say that the US is spreading false information on China.
“In order to suppress China, there is misinformation and many terrible lies about China, many accusations and blaming for the sake of the political gains and selfish gains within the United States, and China became an easy scapegoat and sacrifice because of the political games within the United States,” she said.
She said China respects America and does not plan to challenge or replace them.
“We really have no intention at all to become another United States, because there are a lot of things we admire about the United States, meanwhile there are some other things we do not admire about the United States at all because as you all know every year there are so many people dying over gun violence and drugs, this is not allowed in China,” Chunying said.
Chunying added that China is ready to work with Trinidad and Tobago and other developing countries.
She invited Caricom countries and T&T to participate in the 6th China International Import Expo which will be held in Shanghai from November 5 to November 10, 2023.
“We would be most happy to provide you with policy facilitations and support for your participation, for example, free booths in the country pavilion, free decorations, free shipping, and free accommodation in Shanghai. We hope this will not only help increase the popularity and visibility of Trinidad and Tobago, and the Caribbean as a whole but also help bring quality products from Caribbean countries to more Chinese families,” she said.
She added that there are over 700 students from the Caribbean studying in China, and the country welcomes them as they believe they will become goodwill ambassadors between China and T&T.
Chunying noted that five years after Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley’s visit, both countries are still benefiting from the memorandum of understanding between Evolving Technologies and Enterprise Development Company (eTecK) and Beijing Construction and Engineering Group.
“The flagship project is Phoenix Park Industrial Estate, it has been implemented smoothly, and very soon we are seeing it put to use, and we have seen the construction projects, including a new terminal building for the ANR Robinson International Airport in Tobago and the Diego Martin vehicle overpass are now also well underway. All these played an important role in advancing economic diversification, strengthening collectivity, and creating more jobs here, and has become a shining example of cooperation,” she said.
Members from the University of the West Indies’ Confucius Institute were present, as well as scholarship winners and representatives from Trinidad and Tobago Manufacturers’ Association. Minister Chunying gifted some books to the Chinese section at NALIS.