Beijing and Moscow Hand in Hand, with Washington Driven Mad

China and Russia vetoed a resolution against the Syrian regime, drafted by France, Britain, Germany, the Arab states, etc. and submitted on February 4th to the U.N. Security Council by Morocco on behalf of the Arab League. Responses to the veto from different sides are sharply divided.

According to Reuters, U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Susan Rice, “concerned with Homs in Syria”* and not caring about diplomatic etiquette, said she was “disgusted” by Russia and China's vetoes, and that “any further bloodshed that flows will be on their hands.”

Meanwhile, the Syrian official news agency reported the statement of Ja'afari, the Syrian Ambassador to the U.N., on February 5th. He expressed his thanks for the protection of human rights and enforcement of the U.N. Charter by those countries that have prevented interference with other nations’ internal affairs. “We owe an acknowledgement to those who maintain world security and peace. And their respected positions will be remembered in history.”

As a matter of fact, with the proposal and promotion of the resolution, the U.S. and countries headed by the West aim to prepare for military interference. And this time, with lessons drawn from the Libyan issue, China and Russia are deciding to frustrate the United States’ intent and allies. Last year, the West achieved its goal of getting rid of Gadhafi but leaving Libya in long-term messy conditions.

The U.S. and its allies attempt to employ the same strategy in Syria that was used in Libya, which certainly provokes the alert of China and Russia. To these two countries, issues in the Middle East are of vital geopolitical and economic interest and, therefore, any military interference with Syrian affairs will be strongly opposed by them. Libyan rioting resulted in losses for China, so Beijing does not want to see the frustration repeated by Syrian riots or the establishment of pro-West powers in Syria. The U.S. and its allies have always managed to drive China and Russia out of the Middle East, such as in Iraq, Syria or Iran. But this region is very important to China, as well as Russia, economically.

The constant disturbances in the Middle East have long been related to the West’s ambition to take control of this region. Washington’s goal — embellished with democracy-centered slogans which are only excuses for its hegemony — is to control resources in the Middle East. Nevertheless, American-style democracy, intended for the promotion of American hegemony, does not represent the interests of Middle East nations.

With concerns over the Syrian issue, Arab nations, backed by the intervention of the Arab League, had intended to ease tensions in this country and, more importantly, minimize the effects of Syrian riots on their own stability. But issues developed beyond their expectation. With power vested in Western countries, more support was given to the opposition forces who, as a consequence, did not show much interest in peace negotiations, hence giving rise to more riots. It is obvious that the resolution is only aimed at sanctions against the Syrian government, while imposing no restrictions upon the opposition forces, hence paving the way for further riots and potential military interference by foreign powers.

China and Russia’s vetoes of the resolution are undoubtedly a blow to the West in its ambition to interfere with other nations’ political affairs, and an act to protect their own interests and ease tensions in the Middle East. This surely attracts pressure from the West, but China has to face up to it.

*Editor’s Note: Quote could not be verified.