French President Macron emboldened the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) during his state visit to China, where he was lavishly received by a military parade, red carpet, and firing cannons on Tiananmen Square. This reception was vastly different to the less pompous and all the more colder of a welcome given to the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, who is a notorious ally of the US and takes a harsh stance against China. [1]
In an attempt to promote a “sovereign” Europe with “strategic autonomy”, Macron has come under scrutiny for his remarks regarding Taiwan, claiming that Europe should not become a “vassal”. In addition, he has stated that getting in-between the US and China conflict regarding Taiwan would be a “trap for Europe”. [2]
US senator slaps down Macron’s remarks
While Macron supposedly met with China’s leader to encourage them to leverage their relationship with Russia and end the conflict between them and Ukraine, much of the visit included discussions on geopolitical and economic alliances. [1]
Frustrated US Republican senator, Marco Rubio of Florida, sharply responded to Macron’s comments by stating,
“If Macron spoke for all of Europe, the US should consider focusing its foreign policy on containing China and leave Europe to handle the war in Ukraine.” [2]
The division amongst the 27 EU members regarding how to manage their relationship with China has become more prevalent during and immediately after this visit.
Notably, Macron chose not to comment on fellow guest of China, Ursula von der Leyen’s speech where she maintained a tough stance on China and brought up the issue of Taiwan.
In remarks that were likely linked to the US role in defending Ukraine against the Russian invasion [3], von der Leyen stated,
“Nobody should unilaterally change the status quo by force in this region.” [1]
China vs. US: the perpetual cat and dog fight
Nation states across the East and West have caught themselves in the cat and dog fight between the US and China.
China has lured in much of the developing world across Asia and parts of Africa by selling them dreams of financial and political autonomy. It has also leveraged the post-colonial tensions between nation states and the US, in order to gain loyalty and trust.
This can be seen through the creation of the partnerships within the multibillion-dollar “Belt and Road Initiative”; a project that links China with the rest of the world through land and sea trade routes. [4] It is this false promise of “financial independence” and “sovereignty” that China woos over their ally states with, and this same message is prevalent in Macron’s post-China visit interview.
US deploys façade of human rights and democracy
On the other hand, under the guise of defending human rights and protecting values of democracy, the US has built alliances with European states in order to fuel anti-China propaganda and put pressure on its economy.
We have seen the US leverage international concern of human rights violations against Uyghurs in occupied East Turkestan by pushing this rhetoric into the mainstream public discourse, even though the US was aware of the CCP’s genocidal policies well before they started placing sanctions.
Also, the US itself played a significant role in framing and developing the “Global War on Terror” narrative that the CCP would go on to use in justifying its own crackdown and genocide of Uyghur Muslims! [5]
So what do we do about this?
As spectators of these shifting attitudes in an unstable geopolitical environment, we need to avoid placing ourselves directly in this cat and dog fight between two superpowers.
While it is tempting for Muslim nations to take a side with either, we must remember that sovereignty and empowerment will never happen at the hands of those who seek material and economic gain, who administer oppression, and who use the world as their playground while exploiting the suffering and persecution of others!
The need for unity and strong alliances in the Muslim world is required in order to free themselves from the shackles of capitalist or communist states.
The Muslim world first needs to build alliances compliant with Islamic legislation and philosophy of the same. Only then, will it be free from corruption and injustice, and they will be successful, inshāAllah.
Source: Islam21c
Notes
[3] https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/macrons-aim-eu-unity-china-undone-by-trip-fallout-2023-04-11/
[5] Roberts, S.R., 2020. The War on the Uyghurs: China’s campaign against Xinjiang’s Muslims. Manchester University Press.
