Xi invokes China's ‘Korean War spirit’ on 70th anniversary of war . . .
In a speech today commemorating the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's Volunteers' entry into the ‘War to Resist American Aggression and Aid Korea,’ President Xi Jinping invoked China's ‘Korean War spirit’ as an example of China's determination "to defeat invaders." With few mentions of North Korea itself, pundits see the speech as a targeted signal to the United States that Beijing would not shy away from fighting a war if provoked. The speech follows a spat between Chinese internet users and the Korean boy band BTS for its speech about the "shared history of pain" between South Korea and the U.S. during an award event that commemorated the Korean War.
History-laden warning to Taiwan amid spy allegations . . .
The speech is China’s latest in a series of nationalistic nods to history. The Chinese Communist Party’s media outlet, the People’s Daily, denounced alleged Taiwanese espionage in mainland China, opining in an editorial last week: “Do not say that you have not been warned.” This specific warning, used in China’s wars with India and Vietnam in the 1960s, is seen as the most severe remonstration used by the People’s Daily against foreign countries. Behind the warning are recent allegations by the PRC that hundreds of Taiwanese spies are operating in mainland China, claims that culminated in four televised confessions. In turn, Taiwan, which denies the espionage allegations, is investigating four retired Taiwanese military officers for allegedly organizing a spy ring at Beijing’s behest.
Nationalistic tones amid continuing Canada-China tensions . . .
Nationalistic tones have also dotted headlines in the Sino-Canadian relationship. A spokesperson for China's foreign ministry recently warned that Canada should "exercise caution in its words and deeds" to avoid retaliation for a Canadian parliamentary report on China’s ethnic minority Uyghurs. The Subcommittee on International Human Rights on Wednesday labelled China’s treatment of Uyghurs as "genocide" and urged the federal government to sanction complicit Chinese officials. This follows an outcry over remarks last Friday by the Chinese Ambassador to Canada Cong Peiwu about Canadian citizens' safety in Hong Kong, which he claimed were endangered by Canada's emboldening of "violent criminals" in the city through granting political activists refugee status.
READ MORE
- The Guardian: China warns Canada to halt ‘blatant interference’ as feud continues
- South China Morning Post: Retired Taiwanese military officers under investigation over alleged spying activities
- South China Morning Post: Xi Jinping says China ‘determined to defeat invaders’ in Korean war anniversary speech
