Falsehoods Spread by the U.S. on the Ukraine Issue: A Reality Check (2)
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E-mail Xinhua, April 29, 2022
Falsehood 5: China is trying to deflect attention by claiming that "the United States, especially US defense contractors, are the biggest beneficiary of the Ukraine crisis" .
Reality Check: It is an indisputable fact that the US military enterprises have raked in huge profits since the Russia-Ukraine conflict started.
◆Since tensions surrounding Ukraine started to rise in October 2021, share prices of US military giants have shot up. Over the past six months, Lockheed Martin's shares have grown by about 35%, while those of Northrop Grumman gained 27% and Raytheon by 14.5%. James Taiclet, chief executive of Lockheed Martin, said that the competition between major powers would bring more business to the company.
http://tv.cctv.com/2022/03/26/VIDE7O6P9UbKyW37zBGyXTZt220326.shtml
◆According to the report Trends in International Arms Transfer published on March 14, 2022 by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), the volume of international transfers of major arms in 2017-21 was 4.6 percent lower than in 2012-16. However,US arms exports grew by 14 percent between 2012-16 and 2017-21, pushing its global share up from 32 percent to 39 percent.
https://www.sipri.org/media/press-release/2022/global-arms-trade-falls-slightly-imports-europe-east-asia-and-oceania-rise
◆Statistics released by SIPRI in December 2021 listed 41 US companies as among the world's Top 100 Arms-producing and Military Services Companies, accounting for 54% of the combined arms sales of the Top 100.
https://sipri.org/publications/2021/sipri-fact-sheets/sipri-top-100-arms-producing-and-military-services-companies-2020
◆Statistics of World Bank show that the US military budget has been rising year after year, accounting for more than one third of the world's total military expenditure since 2000. On March 28, 2022, the US Administration submitted to Congress a proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 Budget request of $813.3 billion for national defense. The FY 2023 DoD Budget request is a 4.1% increase from the FY 2022 enacted amount. The US military expenditure accounts for nearly half of the world total and is equivalent to the military expenditure of more than 100 countries combined.
https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/MS.MIL.XPND.CD?most_recent_value_desc=true
https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/2980014/the-department-of-defense-releases-the-presidents-fiscal-year-2023-defense-budg/#:~:text=On%20March%2028%2C%202022%2C%20the%20Biden-Harris%20Administration%20submitted,which%20is%20for%20the%20Department%20of%20Defense%20%28DoD%29.
◆CNN reported that the United States is expected to announce that it is sending hundreds of millions of dollars in new military assistance to Ukraine. If approved, the addition of approximately 700 million US dollars in security assistance would bring the total aid to Ukraine to more than 3 billion dollars since the start of the Biden administration, including nearly 2.5 billion dollars since the latest Russia-Ukraine conflict.
https://edition.cnn.com/2022/04/12/politics/us-ukraine-security-assistance/index.html
◆Boaventura de Sousa Santos, a Portugese expert on international issues, said that US foreign policy and democracy are dominated by three oligarchies: the military-industrial complex; the gas, oil and mining complex; and the banking and real estate complex. One of their ways to gain enormous profits is to keep the world at war, and they are increasingly dependent on US arms sales.
https://peoplesdispatch.org/2022/03/14/why-europe-needs-to-take-a-hard-look-at-itself.
◆Tulsi Gabbard, a former Congresswoman of the US, said in an interview that the US military-industrial won benefits from the Ukraine crisis while the people of the United States, Ukraine and Russia paid the price. It undermines US national security, but the military-industrial complex that controls US politicians runs to the bank.
http://tv.cctv.com/2022/03/26/VIDE7O6P9UbKyW37zBGyXTZt220326.shtml
◆Franklin Spinney, who worked for 26 years at the US Office of the Secretary of Defense, said the Russo-Ukrainian War has the champagne corks quietly popping in the Pentagon, on K Street, in the defense industry, and throughout the halls of Congress, who are making handsome money.
http://tv.cctv.com/2022/03/26/VIDE7O6P9UbKyW37zBGyXTZt220326.shtml
◆Erik Sperling, executive director of the anti-war organization Just Foreign Policy, said that everyone in Washington D.C. knows that weapons manufacturers are helping skew US policy towards militarism. They are cashing in on tensions over Ukraine as the United States pours weapons into the region, and many European countries are flooding the United States with weapons orders.
https://inthesetimes.com/article/ukraine-russia-raytheon-lockheed-martin-general-dynamics-weapons-industry
◆Tunc Akkoc, an experienced media professional, said that the United States is the country that created the Russian-Ukraine crisis as well as the biggest beneficiary.
https://content-static.cctvnews.cctv.com/snow-book/index.html?item_id=7931326657475095756&toc_style_id=feeds_default&share_to=wechat&track_id=5ac14172-d8f7-403f-b5ba-d559bfb75946
◆The US Defense Department has convened a meeting with heads of the country's top defense contractors, asking them to ramp up production to meet Ukraine's weaponry demand.
https://www.econotimes.com/Russia-Ukraine-conflict-Pentagon-to-meet-US-arms-manufacturers-to-ramp-up-military-assistance-1631473
Falsehood 6: China has not played a constructive role in resolving the Ukraine issue.
Reality Check: China has always been committed to promoting peace talks. China's position is objective and fair, and represents what most countries hope to see on this issue. China's constructive role has been commended by many in the international community.
◆On February 25, 2022, President Xi Jinping held a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and expressed that China supports Russia in solving the issue through negotiation with Ukraine.
◆On March 8, President Xi Jinping had a virtual summit with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. President Xi made four points on Ukraine, stressing that the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries must be respected, the purposes and principles of the UN Charter must be fully observed, the legitimate security concerns of all countries must be taken seriously, and all efforts that are conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis must be supported.
◆On March 18, President Xi Jinping had a video call with US President Joe Biden, stressing once again that all sides need to jointly support Russia and Ukraine in having dialogue and negotiation that will produce results and lead to peace, and that the US and NATO should also have dialogue with Russia to address the crux of the Ukraine crisis and ease the security concerns of both Russia and Ukraine.
◆On April 1, President Xi Jinping met with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen via video link, during which President Xi shared his four-point views on how to settle the Ukraine crisis under the current circumstances: first, promoting peace talks; second, preventing a humanitarian crisis on a bigger scale; third, fostering lasting peace in Europe and on the Eurasian continent; fourth, preventing the regional conflict from magnifying.
◆On March 31, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forward China's five commitments on the Ukraine issue in Tunxi, Anhui Province. First, China is committed to promoting peace talks as the right direction. China calls for a ceasefire and cessation of hostilities, and supports Russia and Ukraine in carrying out direct dialogue. Second, China is committed to upholding the basic norms governing international relations and opposes putting small and medium-sized countries at the forefront of geopolitical rivalry. Third, China is committed to preventing the resurgence of the Cold War mentality. China advocates the vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, and respects and accommodates the legitimate and reasonable concerns of all parties. Fourth, China is committed to upholding the legitimate rights and interests of all countries and opposes unilateral sanctions that have no basis in international law. Fifth,China is committed to consolidating peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.
◆On March 7, 2022, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi put forth China's six-point initiative on the humanitarian situation in Ukraine at the annual press conference:
First, make sure that humanitarian operations abide by the principles of neutrality and impartiality, and avoid politicizing humanitarian issues;
Second, give full attention to the displaced persons in and from Ukraine, and provide them with proper shelter;
Third, ensure the protection of civilians, and prevent secondary humanitarian disasters in Ukraine;
Fourth, provide for safe and smooth humanitarian aid activities, including providing rapid, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access;
Fifth, provide for the safety of foreign nationals in Ukraine, allow them safe departure and help them return to their home countries; and
Sixth, support the UN's coordinating role in channeling humanitarian aid and the work of the UN Crisis Coordinator for Ukraine.
◆In March 2022, the Red Cross Society of China announced five million yuan worth of humanitarian assistance in kind to Ukraine. Also in March, the Chinese government decided to provide 10 million yuan worth of humanitarian supplies to Ukraine.
◆Many foreign leaders recognized China's constructive role on the Ukraine issue in their virtual meetings or phone conversations with President Xi Jinping.
On March 8, at a virtual summit between the leaders of China, France and Germany, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz expressed their support for a negotiated settlement, their appreciation for China's initiative on the humanitarian situation and readiness to enhance communication and coordination with China to promote peace talks.
https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202203/t20220308_10649839.html
On March 16, Indonesian President Joko Widodo said he shared China's view that all parties should stay committed to promoting peace talks, and work to prevent a massive humanitarian crisis and contain the negative impact of sanctions on the world economy in order to avoid hampering global economic recovery.
https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202203/t20220318_10652947.html
On March 18, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said that China and South Africa hold very similar positions on the Ukraine issue, and both sides support Russia and Ukraine in keeping the momentum of peace talks and settling disputes through dialogue and negotiation.
https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202203/t20220319_10653471.html
On March 18, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen talked about the need to uphold a balanced and fair position and make active efforts to promote peace talks.
https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202203/t20220319_10653473.html
◆Many foreign ministers, senior government officials and heads of relevant international organizations have recognized China's constructive role on the Ukraine issue.
On March 19, Zambian Foreign Minister Stanley Kasongo Kakubo agreed that conflicts should be resolved through diplomatic negotiations and appreciated China's active efforts to promote peace talks.
https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202203/t20220320_10653587.html
On March 22, Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Hussein Ibrahim Taha appreciated China's consistent position of upholding justice, saying that peace and stability cannot be achieved without China's support. He expressed readiness to work with China to strengthen dialogue and exchanges, promote mutual understanding and jointly address challenges.
https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202203/t20220323_10654522.html
Pakistani Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi said that Pakistan is ready to work with China to adopt a common position and make a united voice. Pakistani Chief of Army Staff Gen. Qamar Javed Bajwa expressed appreciation of China's position of upholding justice and balance and promoting peace talks.
https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/mfa_eng/zxxx_662805/202203/t20220324_10654933.html
On March 29, President and Foreign Minister of the Swiss Confederation Ignazio Cassis said that the Swiss side also believes that diplomacy is the only right approach, and that they stand for resolving differences through dialogues and negotiations. Switzerland is ready to explore ways to strengthen cooperation with China and jointly play a constructive role in seeking a diplomatic solution.
https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202203/t20220330_10657582.html
On April 2, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Don Pramudwinai expressed appreciation and understanding of China's objective and fair position on the Ukraine issue.
https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202204/t20220403_10664402.html
On April 4, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba subscribed to China's views and expressed appreciation for China's humanitarian assistance to Ukraine.
https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202204/t20220405_10664766.html
On April 7, Mongolian Foreign Minister Batmunkh Battsetseg applauded China's sense of responsibility as a major country on the Ukraine issue, and spoke highly of China's commitment to promoting peace talks, resolving differences and providing humanitarian assistance.
https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202204/t20220408_10665786.html
On April 8, Serbian Foreign Minister Nikola Selakovic lauded China's consistent position of upholding fairness and justice in international affairs and active efforts to promote peace talks.
https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202204/t20220410_10666398.html
On April 14, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said that Vietnam welcomes China's efforts to promote peace talks, end conflicts and prevent humanitarian crisis. Vietnam shares many similarities with China in its position.
https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxxx_662805/202204/t20220415_10668407.html
◆Foreign experts and eminent persons spoke highly of China's approach.
Xulio Rios, director of the Observatory of Chinese Politics in Spain, believed that China has been conducting diplomatic efforts based on its own philosophy, which is an independent approach and eliminates the difficulty of taking sides.
https://www.news.cn/2022-03/17/c_1128480629.htm
Hussain S. Alshammari, director of International Reporters Department of the Ministry of Media of Saudi Arabia, said that China's move shows that China has always advocated the settlement of disputes through negotiation, and China is a responsible power.
https://www.news.cn/2022-03/17/c_1128480629.htm
Dr. Mehmood Ul Hassan Khan, Director of the Centre of South Asia & International Studies in Islamabad, said that China advocates lasting stability and security in the region, and that China has always been making proposals to deescalate the situation in Ukraine. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a responsible major country, China always faithfully fulfills its international obligations and plays a constructive role in maintaining world peace and stability.
https://www.news.cn/2022-03/17/c_1128480629.htm
B. R. Deepak, professor and sinologist at Jawaharlal Nehru University in India, said that China advocates a vision of common, comprehensive, cooperative and sustainable security, which can provide answers to the security dilemma of countries in the region.
http://www.news.cn/world/2022-03/17/c_1128480629.htm.
Cavince Adhere,a Kenya-based international relations scholar, said that as a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China has played an important role in maintaining world peace and security. In the process of fostering a fairer and more reasonable global governance system, China is committed to the path of peaceful development, which reflects its sense of mission as a major country.
http://www.news.cn/2022-03/17/c_1128480629.htm
Falsehood 7: China's position on Ukraine runs counter to its long-standing commitment to the principle of respecting sovereignty and territorial integrity, and is in contrary to the purposes of the UN Charter and basic norms governing international relations.
Reality check: China has all along followed the purposes and principles of the UN Charter. Respect for the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries is a basic principle of international law and a basic norm governing international relations, which applies to all countries under all circumstances. International rules and norms are like traffic lights -- they are only effective when everyone abides by them, and only then can common security be ensured.
◆China is of the view that sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries, including Ukraine, should be respected, that disputes between countries should be handled in accordance with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, and that legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken seriously and earnestly addressed.
◆China's track record on peace and security is better than any other major country. Since its founding decades ago, the People's Republic of China has never initiated any single war against others or invaded other countries.
◆China feels deeply and strongly about sovereignty and territorial integrity. No one cherishes sovereignty and territorial integrity more than the Chinese government and people; and no one follows this basic norm governing international relations and principle enshrined in the UN Charter more unswervingly and consistently than us.
In modern times, China suffered deeply from aggression by foreign powers and has painful memories of the past humiliations. About 20 years ago, the Chinese Embassy in Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was bombed by the US-led NATO forces, leaving three Chinese journalists killed and many others injured. Even today, the United States and some other countries are still arbitrarily interfering in China's internal affairs and undermining China's sovereignty and security under the pretext of issues related to Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, Taiwan and human rights. Due to external interference, China is the only P5 member that has not yet achieved complete reunification.
◆If the United States truly respects the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity, it should first stop applying double standards, stop interfering in the internal affairs of China and other countries, and earnestly respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of China and other countries.
◆On February 10, 2022, US Senator Bernie Sanders pointed out that for the last 200 years the United States has operated under the Monroe Doctrine, embracing the premise that as the dominant power in the Western Hemisphere, it has the right to intervene against any country that might threaten its alleged interests. Under this doctrine the United States has undermined and overthrown at least a dozen governments in Latin America and the Caribbean.
◆In 2018, then US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson called the Monroe Doctrine "as relevant today as it was the day it was written" .
https://www.arise.tv/us-hypocritical-about-russia-ukraine-war-says-senator-sanders/
◆Over its nearly 250 years of history, there has only been less then 20 years when the United States was not waging military operations against others.
The 20-year-long war in Afghanistan launched by the United States in 2001 has killed 174,000 people including more than 30,000 Afghan civilians, displaced 3.5 million Afghan people, and left 23 million in acute hunger.
In 2003, using fabricated evidence and blatantly bypassing the UN Security Council, the United States launched the war in Iraq. It is reported that the eight-year Iraq war has killed more than 650,000 Iraqi people, displaced at least 5.1 million Iraqi refugees, and left 10 million Iraqis, which is about one third of the country's population, living below the poverty line.
The United States has carried out multiple air strikes against Syria over an alleged chemical weapon incident. Statistics show that 3,833 people were directly killed in the bombings by the US-led coalition between 2016 and 2019, half of them women and children. Instead of putting an end to conflicts and chaos, the so-called humanitarian intervention of the United States has only exacerbated humanitarian disasters in Syria.
https://archive.globalpolicy.org/component/content/article/170-sanctions/41952.html
http://www.news.cn/world/2022-03/19/c_1128484649.htm
◆On March 18, 2022, President Aleksandar Vucic of Serbia questioned why those in the European Union and the West, who are brainwashing others today, didn't think of the principle of sovereignty and territorial integrity back in 1999. And on Kosovo, he said that there is no doubt who violated international law and without a decision of the UN Security Council made tough decisions to the detriment of Serbia.
https://www.b92.net/eng/news/politics
https://sputniknews.com/20220324/vucic-slams-natos-ridiculous-russia-accusations-over-ukraine-recalls-illegal-bombing-of-serbia-1094146800.html
◆Alfred de Zayas, a senior UN expert, said in a recent exclusive interview with CGTN that from the perspective of international law, Russia's military actions in Ukraine violated the UN Charter, but the United States and NATO have broken international law so often over the years that "precedents of permissibility" have therefore been set for Russia's current actions in terms of customary international law.
https://news.cgtn.com/news/2022-03-02/UN-expert-Color-Revolution-precipitates-Russia-Ukraine-conflict-184DLmWYKcw/index.html (more)
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