【By Observer Net, Xiong Chaoran】Previously stripped of his "topknot and peacock feather," former U.S. President's National Security Advisor Waltz was embarrassed, and in order to smoothly assume the position of U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, he has been loudly promoting the "Chinese threat" in the Senate, and even stated that he would "counter China."

According to reports from Hong Kong's South China Morning Post and Bloomberg on July 15 local time, Waltz, nominated by President Trump, attended the confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on the same day. During the hearing, he claimed that he would return the United Nations to its "primary principles" and "make it great again." He said he would achieve this goal by countering China's growing influence and leading a comprehensive reform of the institution he described as "bulky and corrupt."

"Countering China is crucial," Waltz openly declared at the hearing, stating that it is "absurd" for China to continue being seen as a developing country and to enjoy preferential treatment in most UN agencies. He also contemptuously referred to China's "strategic personnel deployment" within the UN system — "China sends people to hold various positions, including institutions that set international standards — aviation, telecommunications, intellectual property. The U.S. leadership is essential, and the U.S. should have a strong voice in the UN."

"I believe under the leadership of the current president (Trump), we can continue to spread peace and prosperity. I believe we can make the United Nations great again," Waltz shouted during the hearing and revealed that the U.S. State Department had established an office to help the U.S. compete for mid- to senior-level positions in international organizations against China.

On July 15 local time, Waltz, who was nominated as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, testified before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Visual China

Although Waltz tried to use China to "shout" something during the hearing, Bloomberg noted that due to the Trump administration's cutbacks in support for the United Nations and other international organizations, reduced foreign aid, and closure of agencies such as USAID and VOA, Democratic senators still questioned his ability to counter China.

Jeanne Shaheen, the chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and a Democratic U.S. Senator, believes that the U.S. seems to have "packed up and left," without a coherent strategy to counter China. "Unless we sit at the negotiation table, we cannot shape these organizations, let alone push for the reforms we want," she said.

On the previous day (July 14), Democratic members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, led by Shaheen, released a 91-page report claiming that China is expanding its diplomatic influence while the Trump administration is cutting back on America's international influence.

In response, Waltz dismissed concerns that the Trump administration's cuts to agencies like USAID and VOA inadvertently boosted China's global influence. He also added that since Trump took office, even countries that "lean toward China" have clearly expressed a desire to cooperate with the U.S. He emphasized that winning the "information war" is essential and that the most effective way to counter U.S. adversaries is to empower the private sector and promote innovation.

During the hearing, Waltz claimed that the United Nations, established in 1945 after World War II, was intended to maintain international peace and security, but has now strayed from its original mission. He also stated that as the largest financial donor to the UN, the U.S. expects the organization to take responsibility and achieve results. However, although most UN member states accepted American aid, they rarely vote according to U.S. interests.

"We should establish a place in the world where everyone can dialogue — China, Russia, Europe, and developing countries can come together to resolve conflicts. But after 80 years, it (the UN) has deviated from its core mission of peace," he said. "I think this administration has a responsibility to show what the U.S. is doing? Is it making us safer, stronger, and more prosperous? Are our funds worth it?"

In addition, Waltz vowed to challenge what he called the "widespread anti-Semitism" in the UN, mentioning some resolutions passed by the General Assembly that targeted Israel. He also demanded the dissolution of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), which provides humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, but has been embroiled in controversy due to some of its staff being accused of involvement in the Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023.

The South China Morning Post noticed that when asked about the Taiwan Strait issue, Waltz once again claimed U.S. "support" for Taiwan. However, he also pointed out that the U.S. has long followed the "One-China" policy. "Unless instructed otherwise, if I am appointed as (U.S.) Ambassador to the United Nations, I will implement this policy," he said.

Aside from issues related to the United Nations, Waltz also faced criticism from Democrats during the hearing, who argued that he did not take responsibility for the "chat leak scandal" that had been widely discussed. Waltz insisted that he did not share any sensitive information through the instant messaging app Signal, and that during the Biden administration, the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) recommended using the Signal app.

On March 24 this year, Jeffrey Goldberg, editor-in-chief of The Atlantic magazine, previously reported that he had been mistakenly added to a classified chat group by Waltz, then the National Security Advisor to the President, and had learned about the detailed plans for the U.S. military strike on the Houthi rebels in Yemen in advance.

On May 1, Trump announced on his self-created social media platform "Truth Social" that he would nominate Waltz as the next U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, with Secretary of State Rubio temporarily serving as the President's National Security Advisor. "Mike Waltz has always worked to put our country's interests first, and I know he will do the same in his new position," he said.

Former U.S. President's National Security Advisor Waltz ABC

Although Trump's decision seemed to be a "transfer" for Waltz, and the wording was mild, Vice President Vance even "compensated" by calling it a "promotion," media outlets such as POLITICO and the Financial Times mentioned terms like "firing" and "removal" in their reports on the same day. According to POLITICO, citing two insiders and one person close to the White House, discussions about the successor had been ongoing for weeks, but the specific plan to replace Waltz only started accelerating recently.

The report revealed that the leaking scandal had already made Waltz face significant doubts and pressure within the White House. Moreover, prior to this, far-right individuals had already criticized Waltz and his team for not adequately supporting the "Make America Great Again" (MAGA) movement, and these factors became key reasons for "overwhelming" Waltz.

On May 12, Chinese Ambassador to the United Nations Fu Cong spoke at the "United Nations 80th Anniversary Reform Initiative" briefing, stating that as the most universal, representative, and authoritative intergovernmental organization, the United Nations has played an important role in maintaining world peace and promoting common development over the past 80 years. At the same time, due to the largest contributor "withdrawing funding," the operation and effectiveness of the United Nations are facing serious challenges.

Ambassador Fu Cong stated that China is willing to closely communicate with the Secretary-General, the Secretariat, and member states on the "United Nations 80th Anniversary Reform Initiative," and play a constructive role in continuously improving and perfecting the work of the United Nations and promoting global governance towards a more just and reasonable direction.

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