When asked about the lessons of the Russian invasion, China’s Ministry of Defense put out a bold statement filled with lies that need to be refuted before they gain currency.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is extremely good at manipulating language, using spin, and inducing Western guilt. Its latest attempt is a March 24 statement by Col. Wu Qian speaking for the Ministry of Defense, which includes so much spin in so little time that I need to go line by line.
The example in question is from Western reporters who asked about the lessons learned from the Russian invasion of Ukraine:
“First, if China follows Russia’s example and launches a war against its neighbors, the international community will face tougher sanctions. If an unprovoked attack occurs in the Pacific region, the countries in the region will unite to resist. Third, it will be difficult for China to launch a war against its neighbors due to terrain factors. Any comments on this, please?”
The answer is stunning for its deception and tortured logic:
“As we all know, China has always pursued a defensive national defense policy and a military strategy of active defense, upheld the diplomatic concept of amity, sincerity, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness, and committed to building a community with a shared future for its neighbors. Since the founding of New China, we have never invaded other countries, never engaged in proxy wars, never sought spheres of influence, and never participated in military group confrontations.
On the issue of peace and security, the United States itself has a bad track record. Since the founding of the country, the United States has frequently provoked wars overseas, exported turmoil on a global scale, and caused serious humanitarian disasters.”
‘Active Defense’
The first problem is that “active defense” in reality means the Chinese regime pursues preemptive attacks. I don’t know any neighboring countries that even want to invade mainland China, which undermines their strictly defensive claims. Beijing claims contested islands in the East and South China seas and wants to adjust land borders such as the one with India.‘Amity, Sincerity, Mutual Benefit’ Toward Allies
This claim is laughable because the Chinese regime has aggressive relationships with every one of its neighbors. Both Vietnam and the Philippines had active policies that opposed the United States. But Chinese policies are so aggressive that some neighboring countries moved closer to the United States. Australia might be the prototypical example that undermines this claim.‘Never Invaded Other Countries’
This is a subtle attack against supposed American warmongering (see below) but uses invented history. Since most Chinese invasions were over disputed territory, they could technically bend the truth and claim they were only settling an internal matter. This is the argument that CCP officials often make regarding Taiwan.But historically, active defense means preemptive invasions.
The Chinese regime has fought offensive preemptive wars with its neighbors. In 1950, when many analysts believed China needed years of recovery, CCP leader Mao Zedong launched an attack on American forces in Korea near the Chinese border.
A few years later, the communists seized several islands controlled by Taiwan, and Mao signaled his intention to take the rest of the island’s territory. Only the timely intervention of American forces prevented that action. (Of course, the CCP labeled that American intervention to stop an invasion as an “aggressive escalation.”)
The CCP wanted to address the unequal treaties regarding Indian territory in 1962 and Outer Mongolian territory in the Ussuri River skirmish with the Soviet Union in 1969. And it fought an inconclusive border war with Vietnam in 1979 that started with a preemptive seizure of disputed territory.
‘Never Engaged in Proxy Wars’
This is a blatant lie. China aided the communist Vietnamese forces against America during the Vietnam War.‘Never Sought Spheres of Influence’
This one might technically be true but is mostly word games. A cursory study of history finds that a new dynasty like the Han, Tang, and Song would try to assert its strength in several areas: Korea, Vietnam, and expanding its power over the steppe peoples.The US ‘Has a Bad Track Record’
This final point pivots from covering up Chinese crimes to highlighting supposed American misdeeds. This is a frequent practice of the CCP because Westerners are so good at complaining about their racist, warmongering, imperialist past.Without getting into the historical weeds regarding Western and American misdeeds, America can recognize its imperfect pact while retaining moral clarity against the genocide of the Uyghurs and any aggression from the communist regime.
In the case of Chinese aggression, the CCP’s repeated talking points might undermine the Western will to resist its naked aggression at a time when it is needed most.