Now what bothers me about this isn’t the article itself, or even the idea that China and Russia are engaging in this type of alliance (though it should bother those pre-occupied with a Sino-Russian resurgency). What should bother folks is the cultural gauntlet thrown down by Premier Hu:
The document states that the international community should ‘completely desist from confrontational and bloc mentalities, attempts to monopolize and dominate in international affairs, attempts to divide states between leaders and led.’
As regards terror threats, it said that ‘terrorists’ should be deprived of financial and social support and that ‘double standards are inadmissible’.
The document also said human rights must be respected but in a way that takes ‘into account the principles and traditions of each country’ and ‘non-interference in their internal affairs’.” (emphasis added)
Principles and traditions of each country.
That’s a very strong statement, and it strikes at the very heart of the secular West and it’s notions of tolerance. Moreover, if we within Western Civilizations place such a high value on human rights, is it something we believe all cultures should adopt, thus inviting the “clash of civilizations?” Or is it something we are willing to negotiate upon, thereby alowing human rights abuses such as Rwanda, Sudan, and yes those within Russia and the PRC to continue?
What do we believe? Where are we going? Two questions that Hu and the Chinese Communists are forcing us to answer in the West whether we are ready to have the discussion or not.