Letters: China’s interests in Kashmir

This is my comment on an article titled “China views Kashmir as a major dispute” (the Post, Feb. 5).
Let’s put China’s stance here in perspective. China is a growing regional and global power and increasingly wants to show that power. China considers the region to be in her area of influence.

China has long had a strained relationship with India. China needs resources (oil) desperately and is looking for “friends” who can deliver — China’s criticism on the Kashmir versus India issue is a logical “tit for tat” for India’s support of separatism in Tibet or other nations’ support for separatism in Xinxiang, Inner Mongolia and Taiwan.

China is still sometimes lost in her rhetoric of “self-determination” because of their state religion called Maoism Conclusion: it is all a matter of perspective and hypocrisy is the norm in international politics.
The ultimate goal is self-interest.

That applies to all nations with a sense of realpolitik mixed with ideological rhetoric. It is nothing new.
The United States is similar in its mix of realpolitik (e.g. protecting oil interests) and perceived idealism (giving freedom and democracy).

The same applies to Indonesia, Malaysia, the European Union (EU), India, Pakistan, Israel, Arab nations, Australia etc.

Always ready to criticize others and even support the “separatists” or “rebels” of other nations. Never open to see their crimes and injustices against “domestic” freedom-fighters/terrorists.

 
Paolo L. Scalpini
Toulouse, France