Comparing India and China in foreign policy
wchao37  Updated: 2004-03-18 09:32

The alleged participation of two Indians in the Madrid bombings brings to mind the difference in the way each nation attends to its foreign policy.

Look at how China's long-standing foreign policy of equal treatment for poor, small and rich, big nations is finally bearing fruit. You can hardly find one third world nation that feels a notch inferior to the Chinese in national status. They have learnt over the years that China and her people are their trusted nation and friends.

China is the safest and least controversial nation on earth today because she had been fair and helpful to poorer nations since the establishment of the PRC in 1949. The amount of hot money glowing into China shows that the world's investors trust her policies and feel safe with their money invested in the country. Just last year, China surpassed the United States as the nation receiving the most FDI.

Under these circumstances, how can anyone -- including foreigners -- in all fairness say the Chinese government does not convey the will and desire of the majority of its people?

The Chinese call such conveyance of national will the "Three Represents." The Americans had once cherished the same beliefs as reflected in Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, although in his time such ideals of government did not extend to the black slaves of the plantation owners.

This new approach to solving the nation's endemic problems, as embodied in the nation's New Constitution overwhelmingly sanctified by the PNC, has largely dispelled any doubts that the government does not represent the will of the majority of its people.

Can we say this of India, which has yet to learn how to treat its social outcasts such as the 'untouchables' who have been discriminated against simply because of historical social immobility through no fault of their own?

Does India have a longstanding distinctive foreign policy based on self-respect and mutual benefit, and not resorting to force as the sole means of solving international disputes?

Does India have a history of aiding other nations even poorer than they are, simply because of humanitarian considerations?

Does India treat weaker nations with as much respect and courtesy as she treats richer and powerful nations?

The answer to most of these questions is no.

The difference between the two Asian neighbors in this realm is therefore quite remarkable.

The above content represents the view of the author only.

Close