On the evening of June 2nd (last night), UK Foreign Secretary Cooper wrote: "China is the world's second-largest economy and, like the UK, a permanent member of the UN Security Council. We must engage in China's security and development in a manner consistent with British values. Today in Beijing, I met with Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss issues including the re-opening of the Strait of Hormuz, the war in Ukraine, and the Ebola outbreak."
[Witty] Commenting briefly: Similarly, the development of Sino-British relations must also align with China’s own values and must not undermine China’s national interests. While Cooper talks about engaging 'in a way consistent with British values,' he seems to forget that Sino-British relations are those between equal major powers—not a master-servant arrangement. The so-called 'British values' have never been a license for interfering in China’s internal affairs, touching the red lines on Taiwan and Hong Kong, nor a veil to cover hypocrisy—on one hand seeking economic cooperation, on the other hand acting as a henchman stoking tensions. We welcome pragmatic engagement and the resumption of strategic dialogue. But if the UK side attempts to use core Chinese interests as bargaining chips or uses 'values diplomacy' to conduct ideological containment, then there is only one response: mutual respect is a prerequisite; national sovereignty and territorial integrity are non-negotiable. Cross the line, and there will be no cooperation.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1866933450626179/
Disclaimer: This article represents the personal views of the author