Logo of Phnom Penh Post newspaper Phnom Penh Post - US, China must find face-saving ways to break chain of retaliation

US, China must find face-saving ways to break chain of retaliation

Content image - Phnom Penh Post
A protester holds a US flag outside the Chinese consulate in Houston after the US ordered China to close the consulate. AFP

US, China must find face-saving ways to break chain of retaliation

The escalating confrontation between the US and China, the world’s two largest economies, could further destabilise the international situation. Both countries should realise their heavy responsibilities and stop the chain of retaliation.

The US has shut down the Chinese Consulate General in Houston, Texas, in the southwestern part of the country, on grounds that it was used as a “hub of Chinese spying”.

As a countermeasure, China has closed the US Consulate General in Chengdu, Sichuan province, and claimed that some personnel at the consulate general were “conducting activities not in line with their identities”.

The role of a consulate general is to protect its own country’s citizens, be aware of the situation in the country where it is located and engage in dialogue and exchange with the host country. However, taking advantage of a Vienna Convention article on the inviolability of foreign diplomatic missions, major powers often engage in intense intelligence-gathering activities.

There are many cases in which a diplomat who is believed to be a spy is deported. However, it is unusual for a country to close a diplomatic mission of another country without specifying concrete illicit activities of that country. This can be regarded as a serious aspect of the confrontation between the US and China.

The practice of using the closure of diplomatic missions as a sanction must not spread to other countries and hamper legitimate diplomatic activities.

In his policy speech on China, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo stated that engagement with China by past US administrations that aimed to incorporate China into the international community had been a failure, and called for a change in the engagement policy. He also stressed the need for democratic countries to unite to contain China.

As opportunities for dialogue between the US and China have been reduced due to the spread of Covid-19, continued retaliatory battles could escalate tensions and develop into an unforeseen conflict. If the US takes excessive hard-line measures, it will not be able to win the support of Japan and European countries.

Suspicions still linger that US President Donald Trump is showing a confrontational attitude toward China in order to strengthen his support for the presidential election in November. The Xi administration also is apparently being forced to take a hard-line attitude toward the US to avoid domestic criticism of a “soft attitude” and maintain its prestige.

Both the US and China must regain their composure and find ways to settle the situation.

Editorial/THE YOMIURI SHIMBUN (JAPAN)/ASIA NEWS NETWORK

MOST VIEWED

  • Ream base allegations must end, urges official

    A senior government official urges an end to the allegations and suspicions surrounding the development of Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base, now that Prime Minister Hun Manet has addressed the issue on the floor of the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78). Jean-Francois Tain, a geopolitical

  • Cambodia set to celebrate Koh Ker UNESCO listing

    To celebrate the inscription of the Koh Ker archaeological site on UNESCO’s World Heritage List, the Ministry of Cults and Religion has appealed to pagodas and places of worship to celebrate the achievement by ringing bells, shaking rattles and banging gongs on September 20. Venerable

  • CP denied registration documents by ministry

    The Ministry of Interior will not reissue registration documents to the Candlelight Party (CP). Following a September 21 meeting between ministry secretary of state Bun Honn and CP representatives, the ministry cited the fact that there is no relevant law which would authorise it to do

  • PM to open new Siem Reap int’l airport December 1

    Prime Minister Hun Manet and Chinese leaders would jointly participate in the official opening of the new Chinese-invested Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport on December 1. The airport symbolises a new page in the history of Cambodian aviation, which will be able to welcome long-distance flights to

  • Cambodian diaspora laud Manet’s UN Assembly visit

    Members of the Cambodian diaspora are rallying in support of Prime Minister Hun Manet’s forthcoming visit to the 78th UN General Assembly (UNGA 78) in the US’ New York City this week. Their move is an apparent response to a recent call by self-exiled former

  • Minimum wage set at $204, after Sep 28 vote

    The minimum wage for factory workers in the garment, footwear and travel goods industries for 2024 has been decided at $204 per month, with the government contributing $2. Following several negotiation sessions, the tripartite talks reached an agreement during a September 28 vote, with 46 of 51 votes supporting the $202 figure.