This seems to be a period of global cataclysm. The world had not yet recovered from the black shadow of Covid-19 and the Russia-Ukraine war created a big crisis for the whole world. On the other hand, in the Indo-Pacific region, the dispute between China and Taiwan also deepened. Meanwhile, the economic and political systems of Sri Lanka collapsed, the economic crisis in Britain deepened so much that the Prime Minister changed, public voices were heard against the systems in Pakistan, the movement against the hijab started in Iran, and in the midst of all this, frequent news of political turmoil coming from China is definitely a matter of concern. This crisis may not only change the destiny of China, it would certainly be having global impact, especially in the context of Russia.
Russia was also a communist country once upon a time, and even today, we can see the imprints of communist regime in Russia. Since Putin shares a lot of similarities with Xi in terms of leadership qualities, priorities and nature, whatever is happening in China should be considered as an alarming bell by Putin. China is known for its aggression and imperialist agenda globally. On the other hand, Putin too seems to be of similar nature as of Xi as he too seems to be working to add the lost glory of USSR to present day’s Russia. Just like China, matters of human-rights violations in Russia by Russian government have constantly been reported and criticised by international organisations, non-government organisations and media houses for a long time.
In the last few months, both the image and the situation of China have deteriorated. How and why Xi Jinping, who is carrying Mao’s communist flag all over the world, did not realize that the ground of public support is slipping from under him, is an important question. Xi is not only facing opposition at the global level due to his expansionist agenda, but also facing the flag of protest and rebellion rising from his own people due to his failed internal policies. Although he saved his chair by getting the constitution of China amended, but he seems to have failed to understand that durability of any throne depends on the trust and support of the public. If fundamental rights of the people are violated, the system does not last long. The reason why people are protesting against the government in China is being given as the restrictions related to Covid-19, but I think this is only the tip of the iceberg. The main reason behind the voices being heard against the government of China is the violation of their fundamental rights for a long time.
Xi who trapped Sri Lanka, Nepal and Pakistan in “debt diplomacy”, Xi who always maintained aggression on India’s Northeast borders, Xi who never accepted Taiwan’s sovereignty, Xi who held the the flag of communism high against the US and Western countries, completely ignored the internal challenges he created for himself. On the one hand, his own army is not happy with him while on the other hand, the people who are suffering from economic recession have lost faith in him. People do not have money to pay the monthly instalments; the economic crisis in China has reached to such an extent that the builders had to demolish the buildings they constructed, recently.
Can’t the people who have been tolerating restricted fundamental rights for a long time bear the Covid 19 related restrictions? But it seems the dam of patience has broken. Internally in China as well as at the global level, the violation of human rights in China has become a huge issue. On the plight of Uyghur Muslims, the United Nations condemned China by taking out a report.
Today’s world is a world of globalization, a world of complex interdependence, a world of cooperation than conflict, a world of open economy, a world painted by the colours of democratic values. We can see the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war but at the same time mutual cooperation is also being promoted among countries through international forums. In today’s world, wherever violation of human rights or situations against democratic principles would be experienced or observed, public voices will be heard. People of today’s world are not only globally aware about their rights and global events through technology, they also share their views with each other and speak out loud about their rights through various technology-enabled platforms. Also, people of one country get support from the people globally in the fight for their rights. In the case of China, we can see people are demonstrating in support of China’s protesters in Tokyo, Sydney, London, Paris as well as in many places in North America, Europe and Asia.
The whole world saw how the women of Iran came out vocally against the Hijab and also extended their support. The revolution against the hijab in Iran was not limited to Iran alone. Its effect was also seen in other countries. Similarly, people are standing up against the ruined and corrupt system in Pakistan, the whole world is watching. The people of Pakistan now clearly seem to be accepting what fundamentalism has done to their country, while how India has become a global power on the strength of its democratic values. Similarly, voices of public protest are being heard in China as well. The people of China, who have come to terms with the violation of their fundamental rights for a long time, probably want to walk with the rest of the world, want freedom from the shackles of sanctions, and want democracy. Amid the Russia-Ukraine war, people of Russia are also showing signs of exhaustion. They do not want war. When Putin summoned the trained civilians to take part in the war recently, entire world watched how Russians in huge numbers left their country. Moreover, being an ally of China, Russia may also face a setback globally for the crisis in China. Entire West lobby is trying its best to demonise Putin; and turmoil in China provides them an opportunity to prove how Putin also supports violation of human rights being a good friend of Xi. On the other hand, Russia may also face an impediment in terms of any strategic support from China.
China needs to accept the fact that no country can move forward by taking away the fundamental rights of its people. China, which has tarnished its image by creating the identity of the aggressor in the whole world, should remember its ancient cultural values and identity by taking off the glasses of communism. This issue is not just an issue of lifting sanctions, it is also an opportunity to show mirror to a country that has lost its true identity. The people of China seem to be fighting for their fundamental rights, and Xi must understand that no system based on sanctions can last long.