The tension is getting higher between USA and China. The relationship between the two parts, especially since Covid-19 onward, has clearly worsened and the situation has degenerated. Washington blames Beijing not only for the pandemic but also for matters of technology, human rights and even for Hong Kong, Taiwan, South China Sea, Tibet and Xinjiang issues.
Last dispute originated from the accusations of espionage made from Trump’s administration to China. These have even led to the closure of the Chinese consulate in Houston, Texas.
Last 21st July, US authorities ordered to the above-mentioned consulate the suspension of all operations and events. A very determined move.
Mike Pompeo, US Secretary of State, declared bluntly "The USA has not been reacted (non ho capito che si intenda) for decades, it does not answer to the Chinese attacks. It is time for this to stop, it is a matter of national security, increasingly in danger. We need to reactivate a balance in the relationships". He also accused Beijing of using coercive methods against US diplomatic in China, impeding them from meeting the opposition members. Pompeo also stated that "this lack of reciprocity, has president Trump reiterated again and again, is unacceptable. If the free world will not change communist China, communist China will change us".
Many reactions from the other front. Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry, declared that "China resolutely disapproves this scandalous and unnecessary action" considered as a "unilateral provocation" that undermines bilateral relationships. This is a serious violation of the international laws, of the rules that are a foundation to the international relationships and the USA-China consulates treaties and also an intentional attempt to destroy USA-China relationships". He also twittered that Trump administration "is monitoring, bothering and repressing Chinese students and researchers in USA, charging them with supposed accusations that clearly represent a political oppression that seriously violates Chinese citizens' business.
The interference, as Chinese sources state, has never been in the traditional Chinese foreign policy. Chinese diplomatic missions have always aimed to make both people progress in mutual comprehension and friendship.
Because of this move, after few hours, USA had to close the consulate of Chengdu, the Sichuan province capital city in Southwestern China, as ordered by Chinese government. That was a determined reaction, having given to them a taste of their own medicine.
In this context, we need to remember that Chengdu is a strategic city for economy and geopolitics. A fundamental consulate mainly for the proximity to Tibet. Indeed, it is one of the most convenient access point, just like Xinjiang, in the middle of the USA-China debate.
For Wang Wenbin, some members of the US general consulate in Chengdu carried out conflicting activities, interfering with Chinese internal affairs and threatening the country security. Moreover in Chengdu there is one of the factories where Apple devices are assembled and this could attract economic profits for the business managements related to many US local enterprises.
Unfortunately, the risk to reach a new cold war is not so improbable. Blaming these provocations, a development relationship could be set up but actions like these could permanently sabotage USA-China connections.
Who knows if that was a move designed from Trump administration that, noticing a loss of consensus before the next elections, wanted to carry out a determined action like the closure of the Houston consulate in order to gain preference in his candidacy.
Anyway, whichever Country cannot ignore, in the name of political or economic interests, the reciprocity and the treaties that protect the international relationships or carry out actions so determined without considering the reactions.
It's useful to push each Country to have second thoughts about any strict and challenging position in order to safeguard a peace that is essential now more than ever, in a world already worn out by coronavirus.
In this context, the European Union could assume a crucial role. We live in a globalized world with wide horizons in which the interconnection cannot be ignored, actually it should be pushed.
Everyone should care about finding a way for a long-lasting peace between China and the USA. Looking for a useful multilateralism, the European Union cannot just sit and stare. This is the wish for the interests of each country all around the world. Because if we keep acting in this direction, we will just strengthen this running war, which is not so "cold" and which we must prevent in every possible way.
