The New Cold War and the “Xinjiang Card.”

Published: January 21,2022

By Gerald Mbanda and Mustafa Hyder Sayed

On Thursday 20, the Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) organized a webinar on the “New Cold War, Playing the Xinjiang card against China, “under its flagship event series, “Friends of Silk Road.” I was glad to be invited to the high level meeting that was insightful on how the US undermines China using false claims of human rights abuse and genocide in Xinjiang.  I hadthe opportunity to share my views on U.S. attempts to   sabotage the good cooperation between China and Africa, again using false claims like the debt-trap.  

My friend, the Executive Director of the Pakistan-China Institute. Mr. Mustafa Hyder Sayed, moderated the discussion and highlighted that the US has weaponized human rights and is engaged in the selective application of principles. He emphasized that Pakistan should support China on this key interest since China has always supported Pakistan.

Dr. Ejaz Akram, the Chairman of the Rehmat ul Lil Alameen Authority, stated that issue of Xinjiang is a flashpoint, which is used by Western groups to rally certain parts of the Muslim world against China. He mentioned that the CIA has a history of blackmailing countries into submission via color revolutions, similar to what they did in Syria, Tunisia, Egypt. He emphasized that Pakistan is in a twilight zone between US and China and there are misconceptions between the public and policymakers, with important quarters of the government believing that enemies and friends can be balanced. He advised the Government and State Office to support china in its quest for truth, protecting the region as well as the globe.

Dr. Shireen Mazari, the Federal Minister for Human Rights, stated that the United States is involved in starting a New Cold War with China, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic which requires greater international cooperation. She asserted that the United States has created laws, such as the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act, to sanction China using the Xinjiang card. She questioned why the United States failed to take action against the genocide of innocent Kashmiris by the occupation Indian forces. She asked why the US failed to speak out against the elimination of Palestinians from their homeland by the Zionist Israeli regime. She emphasized that the US is losing power internationally due to its imperialist approach.

Professor Li Xinguang, the Director, Center for Pakistan Cultural and Communication at Tsinghua University-China, observed that the West fears the unity between Confucianism and Islam, which could lead to unity of ancient people in a modern world. He highlighted that the West plays the Xinjiang card is to divide and undermine China and create misunderstandings between China and neighboring Muslim countries, as well as those along the Belt and Road.

Allama Tahir Ashrafi, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Religious Affairs stated that bills or statements made by the United States regarding lack of religious freedom in Pakistan, China, and Saudi Arabia are baseless. He suggested that these statements are politically motivated rather than fact based. He stressed that the United States should avoid interfering in the internal affairs of other countries and avoid needlessly criticizing Xinjiang. He emphasized that the United States should focus on human rights violations in its own country. 

Ms. Sabah Aslam, Founder and Executive Director, Islamabad Institute of Conflict Resolution (IICR), said that in international politics, the Western world, which has a colonial mindset uses narratives and sanctions to demonize others. She stressed that the US always imposes unilateral sanctions, which is seen as more effective tool. She predicted that the China and U.S.won’t engage in military conflict since they will fight on an economic level.

She added that China isn’t a small state or third world country they are immune to US sanctions since the Chinese public is very pro elite so America will fail to achieve its objectives by applying sanctions and pressure. Ms. Aslam advised that China should come up with proactive measures to combat these myths and disinformation through research gaps.

Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed, stated that political and economic power in the world is shifting from the West to the East. He agreed with Professor Jeffery Sachs who believes that the US has not been able to compete with China. He cited a study by Professor Graham Alison of Harvard University that China has displaced the US as the world’s biggest tech manufacturer. He linked this with recent report of IMF that China registered a growth of 8 percent despite COVID-19 pandemic. 

He highlighted that despite their opposition to the Belt and Road Initiative, the US launched its own copycat project, “Built Back Better World.” He cited an article by Leslie H. Gelb titled Breaking China Apart, which stated that the US will kindle separatism in China if it doesn’t fall in line and discussed the approach of Demonizing, Damaging and Destabilizing countries. He highlighted a survey by Ash Center of Harvard University which found that over 90 percent people support CPC since it has provided the Chinese people with stability, continuity, peace, and stability. 

Senator Mushahid Hussain concluded that while the U.S is engaged in creating cleavages, conflict and encouraging confrontation, Pakistan will continue to support China on key national interests such as Xinjiang, Taiwan, Tibet, South China Sea, BRI, and Silk Route.   

I had the opportunity also to mention that the west has as well tried to sabotage China’s good relationship with Africa countries especially by spreading false propaganda about the debt trap and re-colonization. Chinese loans instead, have helped African countries to put up the much needed infrastructure projects likeroads, ports and railways to improve both intra-and international trade. African countries have also used the loan to set up industries to promote made in Africa. The west got stuck in complacency that Africa is their sphere of influence since they colonized it, only to wake up when China with no historical colonial baggage enjoyed better developmental oriented cooperation with Africa. 

Gerald Mbanda is a Researcher and publisher on China and Africa, and Mustafa Hyder Sayed, is The Executive Director of the Pakistan-China Institute.