35 years ago, in October 1971, the People’s Republic of China was finally admitted to the United Nations. The role of China on the international scene has changed dramatically.
In 1971, the Chinese government believed that a third world war was inevitable and revolution would herald a new tomorrow.
In 1974, then vice-premier Deng Xiaoping pledged at the UN General Assembly that China would never seek hegemony. He defended the concept of the Third World.
In 2000 China started to participate in UN peacekeeping operations. Today it advocates a multipolar world and aims to make international relations more democratic.
But as a so-called ’stakeholder’, China increasingly refrains from firmly criticizing U.S. foreign policy. The pendulum has swung from war and revolution to dialogue and reconciliation. China could lead the Third World countries and many countries of Europe against the imperial machinations of Washington, but it refrains to do so. The pendulum has swung too far…
In September 2005, president Hu Jintao attended the summit to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the UN. He called on all countries to build a “harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity”. That will remain a dream as long as imperialism is not defeated. Harmony in Iraq, anyone?
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