The dubious generosity and original sin .. China is expanding under the guise of "healthy diplomacy" and Europe is dissatisfied

Some European officials no longer hide their discontent with the Chinese superpower accused of geopolitical expansion under the guise of "healthy diplomacy" and generosity in light of the outbreak of the new Corona virus.

And last Sunday, French Minister of State for European Affairs, Amelie de Monchalan, accused China and Russia of "using" and "highlighting" their international aid.

On March 24 this year, EU Foreign Minister Josip Borrell expressed his dissatisfaction with the "global struggle over how to tell events" and the "power struggle" that exists by "distorting" the facts and generosity policy.

He recalled that if there were today "attempts to discredit Europe, then last January the Chinese crisis was concentrated in Hubei, and it was aggravated by the concealment of basic information by officials of the Chinese (Communist) Party." He added, "Europe provided aid to China as the latter do today."

He believed that China was also "passing a message offensively, stating that unlike the United States, it is a responsible and reliable partner."

On Monday, China considered the European accusations "laughable." "I have heard many times Westerners mention the word" propaganda "for China; I would like to ask them: What are they talking about specifically?" Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Shunying replied.

She asked, "What do they want? To keep China idle in front of this dangerous epidemic?"

It is suspected that the Asian superpower - which appears to have been able to contain the virus on its soil - is using "mask diplomacy" to show off its power model.

Unprecedented campaign
In a memo on "healthy silk roads," analyst Antoine Bondas explains that Beijing - which asked the European Union to remain secret when it offered assistance - is doing the opposite, highlighting what it is doing in an "unprecedented media campaign."

He says that China is based on this series of recent initiatives, which are: “a donation of twenty million dollars to the World Health Organization, sending medical experts to Iran and Italy, building a laboratory in Iraq, sending inspection devices to the Philippines, and protective equipment to Pakistan and France” .

The Chinese embassy in France is leading a campaign for the Chinese political system, and for "its success" in the battle against the new Corona.

"Some people admire the successes of the Chinese government; they envy the efficiency of our political system, and they hate their country's inability to do the same!" She wrote on its website.

According to Francois Hisburg, the French geopolitical expert, "all this is unacceptable at the diplomatic level." He added that "the credibility of the People's Republic is at stake", even if Beijing does not send such messages directly.

The struggle around Covid-19 comes after the struggle for control of sea crossings in the South China Sea, or for access to 5G Internet service, which is a new strategic challenge for the communications world.

"For seven years, China has been locked in fierce competition between political systems, and has seized every national or international opportunity to demonstrate the presumed superiority of its system," according to Alice Ekman, an analyst responsible for Asian affairs at the European Union Institute for Security Studies.

original sin
In turn, expert Francois Hesburg believes that Beijing also wants to "get rid - at home and abroad - of the original sin" of the virus appearing on its soil.

A European diplomatic source says it should be seen if the Chinese version of the crisis will be persuaded, expecting that if they get out of the crisis quickly - especially at the economic level - "it will be with strong strength and confidence."

Ekman notes that "even if statements about the source of the virus and the exaggerated media coverage of Chinese aid begin to turn into criticism against China, other countries continue to show their closeness to Beijing in the current context," and among these countries are Russia, Iran, Pakistan, and Algeria.

Russia is also using its "soft power" in this health disaster, risking the possibility of misleading information, according to its critics.

Russian soldiers - including many officers - have deployed in the most affected areas in northern Italy, raising concerns in political and military circles.

In this situation, the former head of the Italian Joint Operations Command, General Marco Bertolini, commented, "We do not reject aid, but we must also remain very vigilant. The Mediterranean region - in its east and central - is a battleground for domination, from Syria to Libya."