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Opinion | As more nations oppose China, how seriously does the world take Beijing?
- From Canada to Italy, Switzerland to Lithuania, countries are standing up to China or de-risking, some making moves they would never try with the US
- If the world does not take China seriously, the risk is that Beijing could act radically
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The Lithuanians do not want Chinese smartphones. The Canadians expelled a Chinese diplomat. The Swiss want to romance Taipei. The Italians want to ditch the Belt and Road Initiative.
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Across the globe, nations are unsheathing their swords against China. They are standing up to Beijing, decoupling or – as the new catchphrase goes – de-risking to ensure their future is not reliant on being in China’s good graces.
All of this is taking place before China ascends to the level of global superpower, a stage currently occupied by only the United States.
This aggressive behaviour from nations does not bode well for Beijing. Across the globe, governments are willing to take steps against the world’s second-largest economy that they dared not take against Washington. Does the world view China differently? Does China have gravitas in the eyes of other nations? Is China a serious power?
This is a question that China, more than anyone else, must ask itself. It is Beijing, who has to accept the writing on the wall, to change the status quo.
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Take Canada. In less than one week, Canada reversed decades of friendly foreign policy towards Beijing.
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