Just when we think we’ve got all the problems we can handle, along comes Xi Jinping with his vision of a brave new world . . . China style. (Do I hear Aldous Huxley flipping in his grave?)

For the first time since beginning its isolation during the Covid pandemic, China is hosting a gathering of world leaders in Beijing this week. The goals: to pat itself on the back for its role in economic development around the world during the past decade, and to “project its expanding ambitions as an alternative global leader to the United States.” [CNN World, October 15, 2023.]

Attendees are expected to include “leaders, representatives and delegations from more than 140 countries, including in the Middle East and many Global South nations.” [CNN World, October 16, 2023.] Not included on the guest list are leaders from major Western powers. But attending as guest of honor is Vladimir Putin, whose travel opportunities have been radically restricted of late because of the outstanding arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. But China offers a safe haven for Mr. Putin, who arrived on Tuesday morning (Beijing time).

As stated by Craig Singleton, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies think tank in Washington: “Xi’s message is clear — the current, US-led order has failed to bring either peace or prosperity to many developing nations, and a new order is necessary to tackle today’s issues and anticipate tomorrow’s challenges. He wants to be seen as being capable of convening world powers in Beijing . . . [and of delivering] a very clear path forward to discuss reforming global governance.” [CNN World, October 15, 2023.]

This will be the first Xi-Putin meeting since the opening of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, when they “outlined their vision for a new international order no longer dominated by the United States and its democratic allies.” [CNN World, October 16, 2023.] Three weeks later, Russia launched its “special military operation” into Ukraine.

I would bet the farm that, in presenting his plan for bringing “peace” and “governance” to the world, Xi will studiously omit any mention of the words that best describe his method of maintaining those conditions in his own country: “absolute control,” “autocracy,” “dictatorship,” “despotism,” “totalitarianism” . . . take your pick.

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Back in the early 1980s, when I worked for an international law firm whose clients did business throughout the world, including both the Soviet Union and “Red” China, I recall one incident that is (in hindsight) reminiscent of a Keystone Kops episode. It was a time when the two countries were arch enemies. On this particular morning, in a partner’s office sat an official from the Soviet Embassy, who had already stayed beyond the expected time. Arriving in the reception room was a group of officials from the Chinese Embassy. How was I to get the Russian out through the reception area without a confrontation? First, I told the partner to keep the Russian occupied for a few more minutes because his “next appointment” had arrived. He understood the implication. Then I had the Chinese delegation ushered into a nearby conference room, drew the blinds for privacy, closed the door, and gave the all-clear to the partner in his office, who then rather hurriedly escorted the Russian out and onto an elevator. It was a close call, but it worked; and I felt I had single-handedly avoided World War III. A slight exaggeration, of course, but I was a nervous wreck and that’s how it felt to me. Such was the USSR-China relationship in those days.

So things have clearly reversed course since then . . . several times, in fact. First they’re friends, then they’re enemies, then they’re “frenemies,” then who knows what’s next? Right now they’re best buddies — too close for comfort, in my view. Does it make me nervous? Judge for yourself:

After all, we are looking at the world’s two leading autocratic countries — both nuclear powers who regularly threaten retaliation against anyone who opposes them — now talking about a “new world order.” Hell, yes, I’m nervous. Aren’t you?

Just sayin’ . . .

Brendochka
10/17/23