Red hand shows

With India and Nepal at loggerheads, China seems to have an edge over its neighbours. It is also taking on the west for allegedly fomenting unrest in Hong Kong

- RABI BANERJEE

China has been on an economic expansion spree for a while now. Its investments in deep-water ports and other infrastructure projects in Pakistan and Sri Lanka are well-known. While building assets outside its territory has contributed to an all-time high national debt, many in China see President Xi Jinping as an icon who is turning the country into a superpower.

Xi’s handling of the Covid-19 crisis, despite it originating in China, was well-appreciated. He managed to restrict its impact on the economy, even as the country’s growth rate plummeted in the first quarter. But the growth rate does not worry Xi, as the resumption of economic activities will spur growth. What worries him is the job loss in different sectors and the fear of US firms exiting China. Xi decided to take on the US by introducing a stringent security law in Hong Kong, which is being opposed by its citizens and the west. Chinese intelligence claimed that the US, UK and Taiwan were involved in the widespread protests that shook Hong Kong recently. “It is nothing but colour revolution,” said Li Xiaojun, information director of the State Council, China’s highest administrative body. “The intention is to change the regime through staged protests like the Arab Spring and protests in central Asian countries. The umbrella movement in Hong Kong was one attempted colour revolution.”

While the US alleged that China was trying to undermine Hong Kong’s autonomy, Li asked whether the autonomy was to serve Washington’s interests more than China’s. “The rioters were brainwashed through problematic textbooks and teaching by the British, even after the handover,” said Li.