Author: Yi Xing
In response to the various words and deeds of the United States that have been provoked by the weak epidemic prevention in the United States, Martin Jacques, a well-known British scholar, raised an intriguing question in an interview a few days ago-without questioning China, where would some Western countries put their face?
Indeed, under the triple pressure of the epidemic, economy and elections, the United States' face is indeed somewhat nowhere to be placed. In particular, this year's US government's main focus is on the "economic card", based on "America first" and "America is great again". Only half a year before the general election in November, when the poor epidemic prevention and control and economic situation overlap with the election, there is nothing more effective than "hate mobilization" to save face. After all, it is much easier to blame others for your troubles than to look at yourself in the mirror. "Porcelain" China has thus become a "life-saving straw" for the United States to save face, and politicians trapped in the quagmire almost instinctively grasped it and found a ray of vitality for the continuation of political life.
However, the seemingly possible escape from the "epidemic" behavior of life, but a detailed study is tantamount to drinking thirst and quenching thirst, which is not the right way to save face.
First of all, the fundamental reason for leaving the United States faceless lies in the delay in epidemic prevention, arrogance, chaos and lack of awe. Professionals reviewed the timeline of the US epidemic prevention, and believed that continuous passenger input, large-scale personnel gatherings, lack of protective measures, and insufficient testing caused the "out of control" of the US epidemic. The "mistakes" listed are all closely related to government decision-making, and their roots are not in China. The increasingly fierce, irrational, and tricky "dumping the pot" will only increase the outside world's doubts about the United States, magnify and consolidate the United States' intention to evade responsibilities, and shift its focus.
Secondly, it is the politicians and institutions that have turned the face of the United States away and contradicted themselves. The United States cut off flights with China at the earliest, and leaders have repeatedly affirmed China's epidemic prevention work and transparency. China has regularly notified WHO and major countries of the epidemic situation since January 3, which is obvious to all. However, after the peak pressure in the epidemic, the speed at which the United States turned against China surprised the outside world. Such a "willful" attitude is not helpful in saving face.
Third, the United States has always stood on the standpoint of "conspiracy theory" and incitement to populism, ignoring science and reason. A few days ago, Horton, the editor-in-chief of the international authoritative medical journal "The Lancet", said for China "rectifying its name" that treating the epidemic as at most another flu, and not paying attention to its danger is a serious judgment error. , We are wrong ". Not only did American leaders pass anti-scientific anti-epidemic measures on their own, but their smearing of China also ran counter to scientific facts. Even the reports of their own intelligence agencies refused to follow suit. Such a reckless attitude is not helpful in saving face.
The most panic-stricken outside world is the recent statement of increasingly explicit and extreme sanctions against China. However, freezing U.S. debt or starting Chinese companies will have a devastating impact on U.S. debt and the global credibility and stability of the U.S. stock market. The practice of overthrowing the first-phase trade agreement between China and the United States and restarting the tariff war has proved to be a bad move of "killing the enemy by one thousand and self-destructing by 800". When the global economy is in a depression, this move will not only hurt China and the United States, but will also cause countries outside China and the United States to suffer innocent disasters. It is a blow to defeat the credibility and influence of the United States. How can we save face?
In the final analysis, the "epidemic" of China is to save the face of the United States on the surface, but it is actually only to save the face of politicians. It is a dangerous move to continue the political life in one battle.
At present, the civilization, peace, and prosperity that mankind has been sitting in since World War II are facing unprecedented challenges and risks, and the United States is to blame. As the de facto leader in the world, the role of the United States has long been acquiesced by countries around the world. In the past, the United States did not lack intervention in international affairs, but it also continuously exported global public goods. But as Singapore ’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said before, the United States has resources, technology, influence, soft power, and a once-convincing track record of successfully handling issues and considering for the benefit of the world ’s nations, not just the “US first” policy. It is a pity that these resources are not used today to cope with the severe challenges encountered by the world.
Non-traditional security such as the epidemic situation is not national security, but a common threat to mankind. The face that the United States wants to save is not China, but the United States must abandon zero-sum thinking, regain rationality, scientific spirit, and global leadership. (Finish)