Sanctions versus import expo – two ways to achieve goals

World
Europe

Editor's note: Dong Yue is an international news editor based in Beijing. The article reflects the author's opinion, and not necessarily the views of CGTN.

On Thursday, the US announced a hardline policy towards Venezuela, Cuba and Nicaragua, imposing new sanctions on the three countries.

The three countries quickly denounced the latest move from the US.

The President of Venezuela's National Constituent Assembly Diosdado Cabello even called the new sanctions on the Latin American country's gold exports “a genocide against Venezuela” for the significant role of gold exports in the country's economy.

Besides causing a stir in Latin America and the Caribbean, the United States had also ignited anger and worries in the Middle East and Europe.

Skyline of Shanghai./VCG Photo

On Friday, the Trump administration announced that it will re-impose sanctions on Iran that had been lifted under the historic 2015 Iran nuclear deal. The move was strongly condemned by Iran and the US' allies in Europe.

While the US is "punishing" almost the whole world, China is busy preparing its first import expo and welcoming leaders and guests from over 130 countries and regions.

The China International Import Expo, held in Shanghai from November 5 to 10, is part of the country's efforts to deepen its opening up, and a firm support to trade liberalization and economic globalization.

Two ways for achieving the development goals are seen before the world.

The US way is achieving its own development at the expense of others. To secure its own absolute security and sustain its development, its zero-sum mentality is building walls and fences against others countries.

However, China firmly upholds the concept of mutual development and win-win cooperation because it believes one country cannot be well developed if other countries are all suffering.

While Trump administration is using the rhetoric, “Making America Great Again” in a selfish way, China's development is opening up opportunities to the rest of the world.

US President Donald Trump speaks to the media before departing on Marine One at the White House in Washington, DC, Nov 2, 2018./VCG Photo

The American approach to achieving its goals is making America lonely, not great. Instead, the Chinese way for development is making for a community with a shared future for mankind.

The two ways also represent unilateralism and multilateralism. Frictions of interests are inevitable in an international community where countries have diversified interests. Handling the frictions properly play a key role in the sustained development of every country and the world as a whole.

The US is adept at unilaterally making decisions on international issues, such as its withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal, the Paris Agreement and its decision to pull out of the INF Treaty. These actions have always caught other involved parties off guard, which will further complicate problems, and is not the right way to solve problems.

However, China is in favor of multilateralism. When it faces conflicts of interests or tough problems, China tends to bring an end to the problems through dialogue and consultation.

The import expo serves as a new platform for countries around the world to communicate with and learn from each other.

It also sets up a model for countries to achieve their development goals on the basis of mutual benefit and multilateral cooperation.

In the phone conversation with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday, US President Donald Trump voiced his support for China's import expo and said it is very important for the heads of state of the US and China to have frequent and direct communication.

It's hoped that the United States could learn from the Chinese way of development, where countries are able to achieve their own goals while also contributing to the development of the world.

(If you want to contribute and have specific expertise, please contact us at opinions@cgtn.com)