The FT guest column by Kristina Spohr, the professor of international history at the London School of Economics (“Russia and China are opening a new anti-western front in the Arctic”, Opinion, November 10), uses “speculation” as a basis to arbitrarily link the isolated incident of the Baltic Sea gas pipeline damage and Nato’s security and stability. It also slanders China’s international co-operation in the Arctic, exaggerates and hypes the so-called China threat theory and instigates confrontation between major countries.
It is full of a cold war mentality and an ideological bias, seriously misleads readers and shows the author’s arrogance and shallowness. We firmly oppose it.
China is a near-Arctic state, a geological, natural and social reality that cannot be denied by anyone. Today, peace and co-operation remain the prevailing trend in the Arctic.
Responsible Stakeholder
As a responsible stakeholder, China has always followed the principles of respect, co-operation, win-win and sustainability, and conducted mutually beneficial co-operation with all countries in the Arctic in various fields. China respects the sovereignty, sovereign rights and jurisdiction of regional countries, and stands ready to contribute to peace, stability and sustainable development in the Arctic.
At the same time, the relevant parties should respect the rights and freedom of non-Arctic states to carry out activities in the Arctic in accordance with the law, and respect the overall interests of the international community in the region.
China always holds that the international community needs to strengthen co-operation to jointly safeguard the safety and security of transboundary infrastructure.
The damage to the Baltic Sea gas pipeline was an unfortunate maritime accident. As for the investigation of the accident, China maintains unimpeded communication with relevant parties and stands ready to provide necessary assistance in accordance with international law.
Making unwarranted speculation or even instigating confrontation between China, Russia and Nato before the truth of the incident is found out is obviously driven by ulterior motives. It is not conducive to regional peace and stability, nor does it help international unity and global development.
China is a force for world peace
China is a force for world peace, a contributor to global development, a defender of the international order.
It has always been committed to the international system with the UN at its core, the international order underpinned by international law, and the basic norms governing international relations based on the purposes and principles of the UN charter. When it comes to peace and security, China has the best record among all major countries.
It is hoped that the FT will uphold the principles of objectivity and fairness, abandon the cold war mentality, zero-sum game concepts and ideological bias, refrain from providing platforms for distortion and slander, and do more reporting that enhances international mutual trust and co-operation.
Bi Haibo Minister Counsellor, Chinese Embassy in the UK, London W1, UK Letter in response to this letter: Chinese doublespeak on its role in the world / From Sean Magee, Tetbury, Gloucestershire, UK
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