Foundinchina.com

An op-ed entitled The Dark Side of China Aid in the NYT spells out how Beijing is using its economic clout to put the squeeze on civil liberties worldwide (expansionism, anyone?):

Findings from a Freedom House analysis, “Countries at the Crossroads,” point to the challenges that many of these recipient countries confront as they struggle to build more transparent and accountable systems. Fighting corruption and safeguarding freedom of expression and assembly are proving especially difficult. The dark side of Beijing’s engagement, with its nontransparent aid and implicit conditions, risks tipping the balance in the wrong direction.

While “no strings attached” is commonly used to describe China’s approach in the developing world, the reality is not quite so benign. A combination of subtle and not-so-subtle conditions typically accompanies this largesse. Included among these is pressure to muzzle voices critical of the Chinese government, often undermining basic freedoms of expression and assembly in these countries. The authorities in Nepal, which have recently received a 50 percent boost in aid from Beijing, have violently suppressed Tibetan demonstrations, including the arrest of thousands of exiles in 2008. In December of last year, Cambodia’s government forcibly repatriated 20 Uighurs to China, where they face almost certain imprisonment and torture. Three days later, Beijing announced a package of deals with Cambodia estimated at $1 billion.

Even more democratically developed countries are not immune to such pressures. In March 2009, the South African government barred the Dalai Lama’s attendance at a pre-World Cup peace conference.

Observers such as the scholar Larry Diamond have identified countries that are semi-democratic, rather than autocracies, as the most promising ground for expanding the ranks of consolidated democracies globally. The patently negative aspects of the Chinese Communist Party’s developing world influence could deal a real blow to this aspiration.

Findings from Freedom House’s global analysis of political rights and civil liberties put this phenomenon in perspective. Over the past five years countries with only some features of institutionalized democratic systems have slipped significantly — 57 countries within the “partly free” category have experienced declines, while only 38 improved.

Beijing’s deepening involvement in these cases may generate a number of effects, some perhaps positive for short-term economic development. But the dark underbelly of the Chinese regime’s involvement — the opacity of its aid and the illiberal conditions that underpin it — means that over the long haul, incentives for strengthening accountable governance and basic human rights are being warped, or even reversed.

It’s a good thing that this worrying trend is finally being given some coverage. In fact, as a global issue it needs to be front and centre, otherwise the freedoms that we hope to preserve as a birthright for all are going to disappear.

I think I can hear Blake’s ghost sharpening his quill.

If William Blake were of this age and not that of two centuries past, I suggest he would have warned Beijing against the folly of global bullying and the pursuit of empire:

Stiff shudderings shook the heav’nly thrones! Qing, Ming, & Yuan,

In terror view’d the bands of Zhongnanhai, and the ancient Guardians

Fainting upon the elements, smitten with their own plagues

They slow advance to shut the five gates of their law-built heaven

Filled with blasting fancies and with mildews of despair

With fierce disease and lust, unable to stem the fires of Orc;

But the five gates were consum’d, & their bolts and hinges melted

And the fierce flames burnt round the heavens, & round the abodes of men

Adapted, of course, from Blake’s America: A Prophecy.

Update

Looks like the mention of Beijing and Empire in the same sentence upset a few people.

Hat tip to Richard for pointing the way. We’re on a bit of a theme here at the moment, and this article by Ambrose Evans-Pritchard at the Telegraph is well worth inclusion for asking the question: is China spoiling for a fight? A taste:

China has succumbed to hubris. It has mistaken the soft diplomacy of Barack Obama for weakness, mistaken the US credit crisis for decline, and mistaken its own mercantilist bubble for ascendancy. There are echoes of Anglo-German spats before the First World War, when Wilhelmine Berlin so badly misjudged the strategic balance of power and over-played its hand.

And in case anyone thought Wen Jiabo wasn’t reading this blog, the article quotes the Chinese premier’s response:

“Some say China has got more arrogant and tough. Some put forward the theory of China’s so-called ‘triumphalism’. My conscience is untainted despite slanders from outside,” he said.

Slander? That’s very arrogant of you, uncle Wen old sport. Evans-Pritchard then takes the Politburo to task for some delusional rhetoric:

Days earlier the State Council accused America of serial villainy. “In the US, civil and political rights of citizens are severely restricted and violated by the government. Workers’ rights are seriously violated,” it said.

“The US, with its strong military power, has pursued hegemony in the world, trampling upon the sovereignty of other countries and trespassing their human rights,” it said.

“At a time when the world is suffering a serious human rights disaster caused by the US subprime crisis-induced global financial crisis, the US government revels in accusing other countries.” And so forth.

Is the Politiburo smoking weed?

A special blend of hubris kush, one suspects.

… Portland style:

Officials with the Chinese Consulate in San Francisco slipped through a peaceful ring of Tibetan supporters at Portland City Hall today to meet with city Commissioner Randy Leonard and Mayor Sam Adams.

At issue was a proclamation by Adams last week making this Wednesday, March 10, “Tibet Awareness Day” in Portland. With the proclamation, the city joins a worldwide remembrance of Tibet’s struggle for independence from China.

Leonard said the Chinese delegation asked that the city rescind the proclamation, order a new proclamation in support of China, and deny Tibetans a planned celebration at City Hall on Wednesday.

Leonard said no to all three requests; he said he expected the mayor to do the same.

http://www.freetibet.org/

Big hat tip to Heiney over at the Haohaoreport for pointing the way.

Oh yes; happy Tibet Awareness Day, everyone! Sure as hell beats ‘serfs’ emancipation day’.

Update

Adam Cathcart’s take on the incident (including a video link) and comment on China’s response, which came by way of the 50-cent hacks masquerading as reporters on the Global Times payroll.

Meanwhile in Lhasa. So much for emancipation.
Update 2

Following the Global Times diatribe, China Daily – hat tip Jeremiah of Granite Studio – has weighed in this morning (comical highlights in bold):

While many in the international community are watching with anxiety to see if Washington moves to repair its ties with Beijing, a reckless decision by an American city is rubbing salt into the unhealed wound of the world’s most important bilateral relations.

The city of Portland, Oregon, proclaimed Wednesday, March 10, their “Tibet Awareness Day” despite strong opposition from the Chinese government.

While most people and most countries in the world recognize Tibet as part of China, the decision by the American city interferes in China’s internal affairs and is an open defiance of China’s state sovereignty.

It could have an adverse effect on Sino-US relations, which has yet to recover from major deterioration following Washington’s $6.4-billion arms sale to Taiwan and US President Barack Obama’s meeting with the Dalai Lama.

The designation of the “Tibet Awareness Day” was apparently orchestrated by the Dalai Lama clique, which has been engaged in activities aimed to separate China and undermine Tibet’s stability in the guise of religion.

It is still beyond our belief that politicians in Portland have chosen to celebrate a handful of fanatics trumpeting Tibet independence while turning a blind eye to either history or the status quo of present-day Tibet. History has told us that Tibet has always been a part of China, and there is ample evidence proving the fact that Tibetan people now enjoy a much better life and enjoy the full freedom of religion.

Americans are well-known for putting individual freedom above everything. While the city of Portland entertains a few Tibet separatists, has it ever occurred to its decision-makers that their move are infringing on the interest of 2.8-million Tibetans here in China?

That last sentence is especially priceless. The comments follow the usual path of blinkered nationalism. After careful consideration, my own comment on this China Daily offering is this: GROW THE FUCK UP !

Thank you.