by SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG – WHILE the United States and its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies are stocking global wars, on the contrary, China is building global trade partnerships.
To show the contrasting approaches to geopolitical issues, NATO secretary general, Mark Rutte, boasted about US president Donald Trump’s threats to supply long range missiles to Ukraine, aimed at harming Russia.
Rutte’s sentiments at the expense of peace initiatives have been widely condemned with global citizens urging the US and NATO to expend their energies in fighting poverty, unemployment, diseases, climate change while enhancing global economic cooperation.
Earlier Rutte had boasted that Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom (UK) were ready to re-arm Ukraine in their proxy war against Russia.
“Russia’s continued massive attacks against Ukrainian civilians are deplorable. Earlier today I urged leaders to go further so Ukraine has more ammunition & air defences. I’ve just spoken with President Trump & am now working closely with Allies to get Ukraine the help they need,” Rutte said.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who scuttled the initial Ukraine-Russia peace deal, weighed in saying: “Great to see Donald Trump turning up the heat on (President Vladimir) Putin. Great to see more Patriots and other equipment going to Ukraine. Great that secondary sanctions could be imposed in 50 days. But why wait?”
Amid all this, China focuses on developmental, trade partnerships, technological innovations and economic cooperation initiatives to move the entire world, mainly the Global South.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is hosting a three-day Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit attended by India, Russia, Belarus, Iran, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and many other countries from South Eastern Asia.
Australia, seen as a US ally, is also attending.
Citizens across the globe weighed in on the stance by the US, its allies and NATO.
“These NATO leaders do not know that when peace prevails in the world, all countries benefit and prosper. Instead of talking about war rhetoric, why not talk about peace, love and development exactly what China and the Global South are advocating for,” said Desmond Lewis from Ireland.
Aditya Dutta reacted, “This (US and NATO weaponry supplies to Ukraine) will push RIC (Russia, India and China) closer together and further strengthen BRICS.”
Sage Theory remarked: “Who cares (about Donald Trump’s threats on Russia)! We (Americans) can barely afford food and our monthly expenses!”
“Is the American market still really worth it anymore? It’s always pinched, and held back due to war, inflation, tariffs, poverty, abusive corporations, high taxes and so many other things. How much longer can this whale swim? It’s for sure not looking like a healthy place for the future for serious nations looking for prosperity,” Theory added.
Anmol Kaundilya observed: “That’s why India and China (are) thinking of building better ties on the principle of ‘Shanghai Spirit’.”
Kaundilya was reacting to news of increased cooperation between China and India, who initially clashed along the border region of Ladakh, specifically along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Dhananjoy Kumar weighed: “The US is losing its weight under (Donald) Trump leadership,” while one only identified as Matthew declared: “BRICS needs to sanction back and apply tariffs.”
BRICS is an intergovernmental organization comprising ten countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Egypt, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
One Sky Surfer mocked NATO sarcastically: “The BRICS should ask Rutte how he thinks he will heat his home this winter? Europe has to import the vast majority of its energy needs (from Russia). Why can’t the tables be turned and have an energy embargo of the West. It happened in the 1970’s………I’m not sure why NATO thinks it holds all the cards using the popular analogy.”
Ned Kelly from Australia rejoined: “China is a better friend to Australia than the US. They don’t hit us with arbitrary tariffs. They (Chinese) don’t drag us into wars. They don’t build military bases all over our country and force us to pay for rusty old subs which will never be delivered. Most importantly China is against the Gaza genocide.”
Alpha Updates echoed: “Australia and China are good trading partners. I hope soon Australia will be liberated from US hegemony.”
To date the BRICS has implemented competing initiatives such as the New Development Bank, the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement, BRICS PAY, the BRICS Joint Statistical Publication and the BRICS basket reserve currency.
– CAJ News
