China is intent on undermining democracy abroad
China is “intent on undermining democracy abroad”, says a handbook for democracies (whatever it means).
It says the anti-China efforts should focus on the role of the rebirth of the Quad. Quad, formed in 2007 has U.S., India, Japan an Australia as partners.
The handbook says the Quad can play a big role in countering China.
“The Quad’s rebirth can be seen as one of the first concrete steps on the road to clarity about Beijing’s intentions and the need to check them.”
A handbook is designed for countries to understand the challenges that China poses to them. It recommends supporting the inclusion of India as the sixth permanent member of the UN Security Council.
Besides strengthening the Quad it also pushes for the creation of a global free-trade zone for democracies.
The 101-page handbook, titled China vs. Democracy: The Greatest Game, underscores the need for India to get a higher profile on the global stage, including a seat on the UNSC.
According to Hindustan Times, the handbook is a major topic for discussion at the Halifax International Security Forum in Canada.
AUTHORITARIAN CHINA
The year 2020 witnessed a paradigm shift in the democratic world’s understanding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).
According to the forum, President Xi Jinping’s China is now the leader of the most powerful authoritarian state in history.
HFX’s Handbook for Democracies gives policy makers, journalists, businesses, and members of the public a comprehensive guide to what they are up against.
Some say the appearance of the COVID-19 in Wuhan exposed how much a threat China is to the rest of the world.
It threatens the global supply chains, to international organisations, the open exchange of information, the protection of confidential information, and the freedom of the seas and skies.
On the issue of a free zone for democracies, which will exclude China, the focus is on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and European Union’s single market. They are “natural building blocks” say experts.
They argue they should be “extended to include the United Kingdom, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and all other Indo-Pacific democracies, as well as democracies in Africa and Central and South America”.