Ruptured Sino/US Relations?

by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org - Home - Stephen Lendman)

Trump regime war on China by other means pushed things to the cusp of rupturing the world's most important bilateral relationship.

On shoe after another is dropping, the US side bearing full responsibility. 

Beijing is sure to retaliate against hostile US actions in its own way at times of its choosing.

Bilateral relations have never been more dismal in modern memory.

If deterioration continues, Trump regime war by other means could turn hot by accident or design.

Along with the Middle East, the South China Sea is a top hot spot because of US rage to dominate the Asia/Pacific and all other parts of the world unchallenged.

That's what the ugly scourge of imperialism is all about, humanity's greatest threat — what both right wings of the US war party pursue with reckless abandon extrajudicially.

In response to Trump's signing of the anti-China Hong Kong Autonomy Act (HKAA) into law, along with an executive order that ends US preferential treatment and special trade arrangements for the city — both actions signaling more unlawful US sanctions to come — China's Vice Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang summoned US envoy to China Terry Branstad to lodge "solemn representations."

The phrase expresses diplomatic discontent. Based on what's going on and escalating, bilateral relations may be on the cusp of boiling over.

Chinese diplomats have no easy task in dealing with their hostile US counterparts.

In response to Trump's actions on Wednesday, China's Foreign Ministry issued the following strongly worded statement, saying:

"This is gross interference in China's internal affairs and seriously violates international law and basic norms of international relations." 

"China firmly opposes this and strongly condemns it." 

"In order to safeguard its own legitimate interests, China will make the necessary response to the wrong actions of the US, including sanctions against US entities and individuals."

Separately, China's Hong Kong liaison office said "(u)nreasonable meddling and shameless threats by the United States are typical gangster logic and bullying."

"No external force can stop China's determination to maintain national sovereignty and security for Hong Kong's long-term prosperity and stability."

China's Global Times slammed what it called the Trump regime's unacceptable "worship of its own power…No matter what card the US will play next, China will fight it to the end."

The Trump regime reportedly may revoke visas for all Chinese Communist Party members and their families — the action if taken to affect over 90 million individuals.

If imposed, it would be similar to Trump's earlier ban on Muslims from the wrong counties — nationals its regime hardliners consider "detrimental to (US) interests."

Trump suggested that more (unlawful) US sanctions on China are coming.

Along with Hillary, Pompeo stands out as the most ruthless hawk ever to masquerade as Washington's chief "diplomat."

On Wednesday, he defied reality, calling imperial USA — at war on humanity — "a beacon of hope for the world's most oppressed peoples (sic)" — falsely blaming China (and other countries earlier) for high crimes committed by the US at home and abroad worldwide.

He announced visa "restrictions" on designated officials of Chinese tech companies — falsely accusing them of involvement in human rights abuses globally — a longtime US specialty against millions of Americans and countless others abroad.

Chinese tech giant Huawei is Washington's main target among its enterprises — because of its 5G technological superiority over US and other Western telecom companies.

Pompeo barely stopped short of threatening sanctions on nations, entities, and individuals doing legitimate business with Huawei — perhaps to be announced at a later time.

According to Trump regime chief of staff Mark Meadows, TikTok, WeChat, and other Chinese social network/apps may be banned in the US, a statement saying:

"…Trump last Tuesday said that a ban on TikTok was something his (regime) is weighing over concerns that the Beijing-based company might share user data with the Chinese government."

Further Trump regime actions against Beijing, its enterprises, and individuals are part of its war on China by other means — unrelated to national security concerns that don't exist.

Trump's trade and manufacturing policy director Peter Navarro falsely accused TikTok and other Chinese social media of sending user data to the PLA, citing no evidence. Without it, claims are groundless.

China's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying slammed the phony claim — calling the US the "true headquarters of hackers…long engag(ing) in indiscriminate and widespread cyberattacks, eavesdropping and espionage around the world."

A TikTok statement said the firm is "led by an American CEO, with hundreds of employees and key leaders across safety, security, product and public policy."

According to Chinese geopolitical analyst Chen Xiangmiao, Sino/US relations are dangerously in free fall, including over South China Sea waters, warning:

"If there is a maritime clash with (rival claimants of its waters, the Trump regime) will have an excuse to step in, and that could trigger a direct military conflict between China and the US."

What's unthinkable is possible because of US rage to undermine Beijing's growing prominence on the world stage and related interests.

Chen: "We used to say that the South China Sea issue could affect overall Sino-US relations." 

"But now the South China Sea issue has become (part of US) comprehensive strategy to contain China." 

"China will need to examine the relationship between the South China Sea issue and overall Sino-US ties."

While Chen believes bilateral decoupling is unlikely, he stressed that if relations continue deteriorating, the South China Sea "could become the tipping point that leads to a (military) clash."

Beijing needs to fully prepare for the possibility. It the US initiates hostile actions near Chinese waters, "I wouldn't rule out any possibility," Chen stressed.

VISIT MY WEBSITE: stephenlendman.org (Home - Stephen Lendman). Contact at lendmanstephen@sbcglobal.net.

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