China blasts U.S. for ‘coercive diplomacy’ in Africa and beyond
The Chinese government issued a withering critique of the United States on Thursday, in a lengthy document that targeted American actions across the globe, including the African continent.
“The United States is the inventor and master of coercive diplomacy,” said the report, called “America’s Coercive Diplomacy and Its Harm.” In it, China accused the U.S. military and intelligence agencies of supporting the nation’s self-interest while Washington has cast a shadow over the cause of global peace and development, including engagement in proxy wars in Libya and beyond.
“The soft powers of culture and science and technology are the covert means for the U.S. to engage in ideological infiltration and coercive diplomacy,” added Beijing. “The United States uses its cultural products to promote American values.”
But the U.S. falls short on its commitments, said foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin during a daily routine press briefing, citing the Power Africa initiative as one example.
Economic sanctions imposed on South Africa and other BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China) have “severely harmed their economic interests,” while “years of U.S. sanctions have led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Sudan.”
“The United States has imposed targeted sanctions against individuals and organizations in African countries such as Burundi, the Central African Republic, Somalia and Zimbabwe,” the Chinese said.
Beijing also said the U.S. was responsible for plotting Arab Spring uprisings in North Africa.
There was no immediate response from the U.S. about the report, which comes as G7 nations began their meeting in Hiroshima.
Image: China MFA
Laureen Fagan
Laureen is the editor of Africa Times
Laureen is a freelance journalist creating high-quality, informed content on international affairs, politics and technology. She has worked both in and out of newsrooms since 2000. She is a former paramedic with significant experience in community resilience and nonprofit community development initiatives, and maintains "a passion for action" on sustainability and climate change. She also is trained in conflict resolution and diversity, and has special interests in science and medical reporting, and culture and religion issues. Laureen received her MSJ from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism in the United States, and completed additional graduate study in theology at University of Notre Dame. Follow Laureen on Mastodon at @laureen@m.ai6yr.org
