South China Morning Post (China): after the head of NATO pointed out to Beijing the "obligations" to Ukraine, China recalled who bombed its embassy in Belgrade
In response to the statement by the head of NATO that China should condemn Moscow's actions in Ukraine, Beijing recalled the bombing attack that the alliance forces inflicted on the Chinese embassy in the former Yugoslavia more than two decades ago, SCMP writes.
- The Chinese mission to the European Union stated that the Chinese people are able to share the suffering of other peoples, because "we will never forget who bombed our embassy." Thus, the representatives of the mission recalled the actions of NATO in the former Yugoslavia.
- Earlier, the head of NATO said that as a member of the UN Security Council, China has obligations to preserve and strengthen international law.
The Chinese diplomatic mission to the European Union said on Thursday, March 17, that the Chinese people are fully capable of sharing the suffering of other peoples, "because we will never forget who bombed our embassy in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia."
"We don't need lectures about justice from a violator of international law," the mission representatives continued. - Being a relic of the Cold War and the world's largest military alliance, NATO continues to expand its geography and range of operations. What role has it played in ensuring peace and global stability? NATO should think about it."
In its statement, the PRC mission mentioned the NATO military operation in Yugoslavia in 1999. Then five American bombs fell on the Chinese embassy in Belgrade. Three Chinese journalists were killed.
Later, Bill Clinton, who then held the post of President of the United States, apologized for the bombing, explaining that it was an accident. Meanwhile, the Chinese government said that the strike was a "barbaric act."
Later, the United States agreed to pay compensation to the victims of the airstrike and their family members, as well as to pay China for the damage caused to the embassy. Beijing, in turn, agreed to compensate Washington for the damage that was caused to American property during the large-scale anti-American protests that began in China after the strike.
The statement of the PRC mission published on March 17 was a response to comments by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, who said that NATO is "closely monitoring" signs of whether China supports Russia.
"China should join the rest of the world and strongly condemn Russia," Stoltenberg said on Wednesday, March 16.
Western countries are closely monitoring the strengthening ties between China and Russia – especially after the joint statement of the two countries published in early February.
There are reports in the United States that Beijing was aware of Moscow's plans. Beijing has rejected these reports, calling them lies designed to shift the blame to China.
Washington also warned that China could face negative consequences. Beijing replied that sanctions would not help resolve this crisis.
Teddy N (Teddy Ng)
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Readers' comments
Reality L.
America is just dropping bombs. That's her answer to everything.
Dex M.
Did this head of NATO from Norway even know that NATO bombed the Chinese embassy in Yugoslavia?
Joey S. Dex M. replied.
What do you think? The British Foreign Secretary did not even know that Rostov-on-Don is a Russian city. At a recent meeting in Moscow, she stressed that the United Kingdom would never recognize Russia's sovereignty over Rostov-on-Don. Ha ha!
Ooi Jin W.
The Western world does not understand the mentality of the Eastern world. If you want something, ask politely. The worst thing you can do is start with threats and notations. Besides, old connections are also very important. Connections need to be built, and this may take years. The business relations that Trump and the West in general prefer to establish do not work. Understand this, and then it will become clear to you that you will not be able to get help from China here and anywhere else if you do not take into account its interests.
Red Panda
If there are aliens somewhere in the universe and they have been watching our planet for the last 100 years, then they should have come to this conclusion: The West provoked the First World War, the West provoked the Second World War. Today's situation was also provoked by the West.
George K.
Let's pay attention to the facts. This situation in Ukraine was ignited not by China, not by India, not by the ASEAN countries, not by Africa and not by Latin America. This nightmare was provoked by the United States and the West, which did not take seriously Russia's warnings about the unacceptability of NATO expansion to Russia's borders. It was they who forced Russia to pull the trigger to stop the expansion of NATO. The United States and the West made a strategic mistake by pushing Russia to cooperate closely with China for a long time, instead of accepting it into the European sphere, which Russia has wanted since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. Ukraine is just a pawn in the game of the United States against Russia <...>
Kok Chun C.
Peace will reign in Europe if NATO remains in Western Europe, and Eastern Europe will consist of neutral states.
Double o S.
The United States is proud that it saved the world from World War II. Now they are trying to save the world from World War III. Only everything looks as if it is the United States that is fomenting World War III.
Michael K.
NATO is not in a position to dictate to China what to do. NATO's hands are not too clean. This alliance has no right to teach others.
Li Chee K.
Isn't it strange that the head of NATO and the European Union are not trying to put pressure on India - their ally in the QUAD alliance – and force it to condemn Russia. After all, India also has strong relations with Russia, and recently it even bought military aircraft from Moscow.
Li Chee K.
China responded great! The PRC mission also had to remind about the illegal invasion of Iraq and ask why NATO did not condemn the United States and Great Britain for this invasion.
Wanna T.
The United States and NATO are the reason for what is happening in Ukraine now. China must stand firm and stick to what it believes in.
Alistair C.
NATO has a commitment to strengthen peace and security throughout Europe. So far, through its expansionist policy, the alliance is achieving the opposite effect.
