Why do some leaders of countries have arrived in China, but do not dare to go a step further?
The summit and the 93rd parade are the two most important diplomatic events of our time.It is also a test of the sincerity of some countries towards China. Why do you say this?Some foreign leaders have reached the doorstep of China, but their feet have stopped at Tianjin, refusing to move a step to Beijing; some have made clear the words "do not betray China", this attitude has a clear difference.
Go ahead.Prime Minister Modi and Turkish President Erdogan.The two have already come to Tianjin to attend the SCO Summit.But the military parade was avoided. Tianjin is only more than 100 kilometers away from Beijing. Why doesn't Modi dare to come for half an hour?On the surface, it is afraid of domestic scolding, but in fact it is stepping on the "contradictory point" of the Indian nationalist narrative. When India opposed British colonization, there was indeed a force that cooperated with Japan, so some Indians now feel that "anti-fascism" has nothing to do with me, and I even think that mentioning it will "dwarf" India's anti-colonial history. If Modi goes to the military parade in Beijing, the domestic media can scold him as "forgetting the wimp of his ancestors". More importantly, he did not dare to offend the United States and Japan, for fear that he would not get investment and weapons from the United States and Japan in the future.
Looking at Erdogan again, his concerns are more complicated than Modi's. Turkey, a country that didn't really stand on the side of the Allies during World War II, flirted with the Axis powers such as Germany and Italy. Later, although it "took sides" in name, the international community knew it. Moreover, it is now a member of NATO. In recent years, the West has been deliberately downplaying the contributions of China and Russia in World War II. For example, it is unwilling to mention that the Soviet Union defeated the main force of Germany and the Chinese battlefield held back the Japanese army, so it wants to portray itself as the "savior of World War II." If Erdogan goes to the military parade in China, it will be tantamount to hitting the West in the face, and NATO will immediately make him trouble. But he is reluctant to bear the benefits of Shanghai: Turkey wants to trade with China, so it must come to Tianjin to attend the conference. This way,He could only choose "Participate in the meeting without a military parade", which would not offend the West, but also maintain a superficial harmony with China and Russia. To put it bluntly, he was looking for food in the cracks of major powers, and did not dare to talk to death or stand up to the team.
But not everybody is so “unclear.”President Lukashenko, in his 16th visit to China, said: “Never betray China.”This is actually a strategic choice made by Belarus in the long run. Belarus has been tormented enough by the West in recent years: after the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the West has sanctioned it at every turn, and the economy is almost unable to bear it. It is China that has sent it investment, helped it build factories, and opened up trade channels. On the international stage, it is also China that speaks for it and does not allow the West to isolate it casually. In turn, China also needs Belarus as an "Eastern European pivot". It is next to Russia and can radiate Central and Eastern Europe. It is an important strategic pivot for China's "Belt and Road Initiative" to go to Europe. So Lukashenko came to the military parade, not only to give China face, but also to express his position to the West, "I am an iron buddy with China, you don't want to pinch me again." He also brought Belarusian potatoes to the heads of state, which was not a random gift. Potatoes are often eaten by Belarusian people, so the potatoes Lukashenko sent out also hid a part of the hearts of the Belarusian people, telling everyone: The good of our two countries is not only a matter between leaders, but also recognized by the people.
In fact, looking at this matter, we can understand a major trend in the world:There are no eternal friends, only eternal interests, but the “interest” is also short-term and long-term. Modi, Erdogan are “short-term accounts”, fear of guilty, fear of losing votes, so hide the parade; Lukashenko is “long-term accounts”.Only by standing with China can we withstand the pressure of the West and safeguard our national interests. China is not holding this military parade to force anyone to take sides, but to tell the world that the history of World War II cannot be forgotten. Whoever has contributed to the anti-fascist movement and who is engaging in historical revisionism must have a good account in mind. In the future, when dealing with international affairs, we must follow rules and recognize history. We cannot just stare at the small profits in front of us and leave the big right and wrong behind.