China’s state media has strongly condemned
the Western response to MH17, and largely backed Russia.
After
an initial degree of hesitancy, China’s state media has come out strongly in
favor of Russia regarding the downing of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17.
A
number of editorials in Chinese state media in recent days have strongly
condemned the Western response to the downing of MH17. The nationalistic Global
Times, for instance, featured an editorial on Monday that ostensibly called for
full disclosure from Russia, as well as an extensive and fair investigation led
by either the United Nations or the International Civil Aviation Organization.
Much of the editorial, however, was a scathing critique of Western efforts to implicate
Russia in the attack.
”The
West has fingered Russia as the main suspect in the tragedy. Under such
circumstances, any hesitation on Russia’s part will provoke more blame from the
West,” the Global Times editorial said. “If there is no result to the
investigation, Russia will, by default, be named the perpetrator. Therefore,
letting the facts of the case speak suits Russia’s interests.”
The
Global Times’ editors continued:
“The
Western rush to judge Russia is not based on evidence or logic. Russia had no
motive to bring down MH17; doing so would only narrow its political and moral
space to operate in the Ukrainian crisis. The tragedy has no political benefit
for Ukrainian rebel forces, either.
“Russia
has been back-footed, forced into a passive stance by Western reaction. It is
yet another example of the power of Western opinion as a political tool.”
More
generally, the GT editorial board opined: “The West has successfully put itself
in a position to dictate ‘political correctness’ in international discourse.
Those unwilling to work with Western interests will often find themselves in a
tough position.”
An
earlier Global Times editorial, which was published on its English-language
website on Saturday, offered a more subtle defense of Russia. Similar to the
position taken by Russian President Vladimir Putin, the GT’s Saturday editorial
said that the ongoing fighting in Ukraine had caused the attack, indirectly
implicating the Ukrainian government.
“The
real culprit to blame, in fact, is the chaotic situation in Ukraine following
the Crimea crisis. What Putin has said, that the tragedy would not have happened
had there been peace in Ukraine, does make some sense,” the GT editorial
stated.
While
the GT editorials seemed to go the furthest in condemning the West and
supporting Russia, other Chinese media outlets have also leaned heavily toward
Russia. The day after the attack, for
instance, an opinion piece in Xinhua News called the Western response “rash.”
It added: “The one-sided accusation [from the West] is not surprising in light
of their long-time stance on the crisis in eastern Ukraine, and their attitude
towards Russia’s absorption of Crimea in March.” This is broadly consistent
with the editorial stances taken by most mainstream Chinese publications.
The
Chinese state media’s position on MH17 has therefore been consistent with its
reaction to most of the events that have unfolded in the Ukraine over the last
six months or so. Namely, China’s state media began analyzing the crisis with
caution, before becoming increasingly anti-Western and pro-Russian.
Zachary
Keck
Business & Investment Opportunities
Saigon Business Corporation Pte Ltd (SBC) is incorporated
in Singapore since 1994.
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