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The White Paper Protests in China and the U.S. position toward China

The Cheongdae times Cub reporter Yu-Jeong Lim

Accusations against China for its plight as the number of COVID-19 cases soared have come from both China and other countries.

Demonstrations denouncing China's "zero corona" policy took place in Beijing, Shanghai, southern Guangzhou, and the United States and Canada.

Hankyoreh (https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/economy/economy_general/1069400.html)

In Canada, many Chinese Canadian protesters demonstrated with blank papers like Chinese college students.

They accused the Chinese authorities of failing to stop the spread of the corona even with excessive containment measures, especially increasing the damage caused by the fire that broke out in Urumqi on the 24th.

Anti-China protests also took place in New York. At this time, blank paper and signs containing various political and social demands were used.

The demonstration protests spread to Guangzhou, the southern economic city, following Beijing and Shanghai.

China, which faced a winter when indoor activities increased amid a surge in corona patients, was in a more difficult situation.

As dissatisfaction with the strict zero-corona policy, such as blockade and movement restrictions, escalated and the number of infections soared, the Chinese people found themselves in a dilemma.

The United States has taken a stance on China's policy. In a video briefing on the same day, White House National Security Council Strategic Communications Coordinator John Kirby said, "We have consistently supported the right to protest peacefully in this way.

It is consistent with past practice and certainly prudent. "That's how we've approached these kinds of issues in other parts of the world. We will continue to speak out about our capabilities.

We must be able to express our views peacefully, without intimidation, fear, or violence. We will always side with peaceful protesters, and we have consistently done so."

The U.S. government has emphasized the right to peaceful protest and has put forward a position that the containment policy is unrealistic as protests spread in China due to the prolonged containment policy of COVID-19 and signs of a violent response by the Chinese government appeared.

Then, when asked about China's attempts to expand its global influence, the America government said "We haven't asked other countries to choose between the US and China, and we won't.

We think we can manage our competition with China very well." President Joe Biden also said, “The United States has made it clear that it is in a very successful position in a kind of strategic competition with China.”

However, coordinator Kirby said, "We are clearly mindful of China's attempts to gain influence and a foothold in the world, whether through economic or military and security means. Countries must choose for themselves how they will engage with China."

He pointed out "we note that what China does in many places around the world is coercive, purely for their own benefit, and sometimes acts to the detriment of the interests of the countries with which they do business."