Tuesday, May 19, 2020

Two Big China Decisions This Week May Determine WHO's Fate

" China's Foreign Ministry spokesman called Australia's move a "Political manipulation," and he advised Australia "To give up its ideological prejudices."

In one of its editorials, the Global Times, a state-run Chinese tabloid, called Australia's action an "Attack China" campaign that only exposes Australian politicians as "Eager to win the U.S. favor." In another editorial, it warned that Australia might pay a heavy economic price if it continues to act as a U.S. "Attack dog." Global Times' editor Hu Xijin, an ultra-nationalist, even compared Australia to "a piece of chewed up gum stuck under China's shoe. Sometimes you just have to find a stone and scrape it off."

Beijing announced recently it would suspend beef imports from four major meat processing plants in Australia and impose an 80 percent tariff on Australia's barley exports due to unspecified "Violations of inspection and quarantine requirements," an action widely seen as Beijing's retaliation.

Between 2018-2019, China imported close to $100 billion from Australia, including one-third of Australia's farm products, with $1.6 billion worth of beef and $960 million of barley.

After Tsai Ing-wen of the Democratic Progressive Party was elected president of Taiwan in 2016, Beijing decided to punish Taiwan because of that party's aspiration for Taiwan's independence someday, even though Tsai never made such a declaration.

Since the coronavirus outbreak, the WHO has categorized Taiwan as a high-risk area because it is listed under China.

Despite its geographic proximity to mainland China and the island's dense population, Taiwan reported only 440 confirmed cases and seven deaths as of this week.

https://thefederalist.com/2020/05/19/two-big-china-decisions-this-week-may-determine-whos-fate/

No comments: