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    China accuses US and Europe of having 'hegemonistic' ambitions in Syria

    By Scott McDonald, The Associated Press | Associated Press – Sat, Feb 25, 2012

    BEIJING, China - The United States and Europe are "harbouring hegemonistic ambitions" in Syria, China's state news agency said Saturday, a day after Beijing was condemned at an international conference held to find a way to halt the Syrian regime's nearly year-old suppression of an anti-government uprising.

    At the Friends of Syria meeting in Tunisia, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton blasted Russia and China as "despicable" for vetoing U.N. Security Council resolutions backing Arab League plans aimed at ending the conflict and condemning the crackdown by President Bashar Assad's government.

    "They are clearly not on the side of the Syrian people," Clinton said.

    The official Xinhua News Agency said in a commentary that China's position on Syria was balanced and that "most of the Arab countries have begun to realize that the United States and Europe are hiding a dagger behind a smile."

    "In other words, while they appear to be acting out of humanitarian concern, they are actually harbouring hegemonistic ambitions," it said.

    Both China and Russia boycotted the Friends of Syria conference, which Xinhua said ended with a "broad consensus" on avoiding a militarization of the conflict in Syria.

    The conference urged Assad to end the violence immediately and allow humanitarian aid into areas hit by his regime's crackdown. It also proposed tighter sanctions on the country and Assad's inner circle.

    Calls and faxes to China's Foreign Ministry on Saturday asking for comment on Clinton's charges were not immediately answered.

    Ministry spokesman Hong Lei said at several news conferences this week that China wanted more information on the goals and mechanisms of the conference before it would attend.

    Xinhua quoted him as saying China was a friend of the Syrian people, and that "any action taken by the international community should help to cease tensions, boost political dialogues, resolve differences and maintain peace and stability in the Middle East."

    The U.N. estimated in January that 5,400 people have died in the conflict. Hundreds more have died since, with activists saying the death toll is more than 7,300.

    Assad's regime blames the violence on terrorists and armed thugs, not people who want to reform the system.

    China sent a vice foreign minister to Syria last week for talks. It says it vetoed the U.N. Security Council vote on Syria because it was called before differences over the proposal were bridged.

     
    • Stupid Flanders!
      Stupid Flanders!  •  3 mths ago
      "Hegemonistic". Did they actually say "hegemonistic"? Darn it, even their English is getting better than ours!

      Anyway - If anyone that can make these decisions is listening...PLEASE STOP EXPORTING DEMOCRACY! It always seems to come straight out of my wallet!
      • Sing Soft Kitty
        Sing Soft Kitty 3 mths ago
        Ha ha! Funny comment but also true. Maybe they spent their money on education instead of unneeded and unjustified wars.
      • Joseph
        Joseph 2 mths ago
        Definitely needed and clearly legal under all forums of international law...
      • kakert
        kakert 2 mths ago
        Yes, our English language ability certainly is progressing..both our oral & written.Thank you.We can even make responsive contributions on public forums without resorting to foul language or childish insults towards other commenters too, even if we don't agree with the criticism or opinion of the person behind the response.Yes, spending on education has increased.
    • Marc
      Marc  •  3 mths ago
      Russia and China learned lessons when they voted together with the US, France and England for limited actions against Libya. Syria is already on a state of civil war and the only logical UN action would be for an immediate ceasefire from both sides.
      • Locksley
        Locksley 3 mths ago
        Have you notice there were/ are no calls from the UN, USA, France, Britain or the Arab League about ceased fire or that the so called freedom fighters be disarmed!!! Everything that came out of these people mouths, is for the Government to fall or give way to the criminals. Why are the people of Syria not calling for the opportunity to cast their ballots to determine their Government? Why is not this position be adopted by the UN and the " FRIENDS of SYRIA" coalition? Why all the Foreign Journalist are embeded with the " Rebels Fighters" and none with the Government Troops who will be better able to protect them from injuries? Why the so-called "International Community" not standing on the principles similar to that of China and Russia and take a more balance approach towards the situation in Syria? again, this cannot and is not about any humanitarian concern by these people, there are way more conflicting interest at stake and beyond.
      • Marc
        Marc 3 mths ago
        Locksley, you are a keen observer of what is currently happening in Syria and I believe that you are so right. I admire your view -Marc
      • Ryan
        Ryan 2 mths ago
        Good God, you are dumb Locksley. The people of Syria HAVE called for elections, but Assad the ILLEGAL tyrant refuses them. Apparently you and Marc do not understand that Syria is governed by a totalitarian dictatorship that grants few rights and freedoms to its people. That you have the gall to call the rebels "criminals" tells me that you are criminally dumb.

        China and Russia are NOT taking a balanced approach at all. They are stalling for time so Assad's better equipped and trained army can crush the rebellion. You, in your infinite stupidity, again fail to see what even a child can see.

        Oh and the Syrian government is deliberately attacking journalists. They have ANNOUNCED that they were going to do so.

        Locksley and Marc, you two are obtuse and blind.
    • Gaylord jew jesus christ
      Gaylord jew jesus christ  •  3 mths ago
      from now on, china talks america walks. i would not even waste my time burning china made american flag. america is that cheap.
    • JORGE N
      JORGE N  •  3 mths ago
      Are sides being drawn?
    • Anonymous33
      Anonymous33  •  3 mths ago
      I'm curious. If there was to be an "uprising" here in America. Would the government give way to the protesters or listen for calls of calm by foreign diplomats or would they not use the same heavy handed tactics against us that they rail against and demonize in other parts of the world? Or is the official US policy in internal dissent the exact opposite of what they tell the rest of the world?
      • JOES QUANTUM GARAGE
        JOES QUANTUM GARAGE 3 mths ago
        Ndaa = homeland gestapo= fed fusion centers= fema death camps
      • paul
        paul 3 mths ago
        If there was an uprising, it would be dealt with swiftly, covered up completely, and labeled as another terrorist plot thwarted by the heroes of Homeland Security.,
      • Intelligent Designer
        Intelligent Designer 3 mths ago
        It's coming soon this spring.
    • freelobster
      freelobster  •  3 mths ago
      "They are clearly not on the side of the Syrian people," Clinton said.

      Yeah sure, like US and the West really care about the Arabs.
      • Gaylord jew jesus christ
        Gaylord jew jesus christ 3 mths ago
        clinton son in law is jew. i am sure he will treat chelsea good if momma clinton says she loves arabs.
      • Cogito
        Cogito 3 mths ago
        Freelobster and Gaylord are with the Syrian Secret Police.
    • Robert
      Robert  •  Guangzhou, China  •  3 mths ago
      I know that many Americans do not want to hear this... But, China is correct. Interference in another countries affairs is always a prelude to global conflict. Sometimes it erupts into war, other times it festers to various flavors of economic warfare. The American culture of global superiority leads Americans to believe that they can interfere in the lives and lifestyles of other peoples and cultures around the world. But this is wrong, and actually... truly anti-American in nature and scope.
      • Locksley
        Locksley 3 mths ago
        And the anti American sentiments is spreading wider and more bitterly by the day, thanks to their bias, inhumane, selfish and dishonest Foreign Policies. Can anyone here remember when the USA was seen as a symbol of unity, great respect and admiration? That is gone thanks to the " Cow Boys Bush father and son combination. Now that Mr Obama had campaigned for change, the entire world was looking for that day when he would stop the " GLOBAL BULLISM ATTITUDE", that change is yet to come after nearly four years in office. One could easily argued that it is even getting worse by the minute. There's no way you can put your big gun to a man's head and forces or compelled him to respect you. Most of these world leaders are just a bunch of followers and is not worthy of leading intelligent minded people. How can or how will war bring forth peace? The Arabs and Muslims does not need American or Western Culture, why forcing it on them? The People need to exercise their democratic right to chose what culture they will adopt. How would it feel to see American been invaded by bully Arabs and Muslims and forcing their Culture and Koran on its people, would that have been accept as gracious, and taken with open arms, or would the people rebel?
      • W
        W 3 mths ago
        Let me guess-you want to vote for Ron Paul. Another sicko.
      • W
        W 3 mths ago
        "Round eyes speak with forked tongue, eh Robert"?
    • Robert
      Robert  •  3 mths ago
      I don't know who's right and who's wrong anymore.
    • tiptoe
      tiptoe  •  3 mths ago
      Everyday Americans keep telling the NEO-CONs (John McCain, Barrack Obama) to stop what they are doing, but they won't listen. We need to start arresting people in this country for war crimes before they get us all killed
    • William
      William  •  Richardson, Texas  •  3 mths ago
      China and Russia may have a point. Maybe we should quit meddling in other countries' affairs. We wouldn't like it if other countries stirred up things here.
    • Herodotus
      Herodotus  •  Walkersville, Maryland  •  3 mths ago
      Well...President Obama has said that there is no "magic bullet" to lowering current high gasoline prices. I wonder, if our politicians would spend some time solving our real problems..as opposed to spending their time "getting re-elected", that a "magic bullet" could be found ... in short order ?????????
    • joshua
      joshua  •  3 mths ago
      Syrian rebels are killing human beings too, and who are supporting these rebels? USA/NATO...USA/NATO profitted from despots in northern africa and middle east countries for decades..40 years to be exact..
    • QT π
      QT π  •  3 mths ago
      NO ONE IS INTERESTED IN FREEDOM. Look at all the garbage we have been pulling in the middle east and you will see that this is just falling in line with our military industrial complex. I actually see some people here who believe we are starting all this trouble out of the goodness of our hearts. Wake up people. If we gave a #$%$ about human rights we wouldn't be supporters of so many of these little puppet tyrants and if we gave a #$%$ about fairness we wouldn't be fattening the contractors pockets instead of spending money at home for education and the betterment of the 99%.
    • GREG
      GREG  •  Memphis, Tennessee  •  2 mths ago
      I dont understand all this in Syria.Whos fighting who or whos backing who.The only thing I do know is when you bomb towns for 20 days and nights innocent people are getting killed.I dont know the answer but how many innocet people have to die before the international communities lay differences asside and do something about the needless killing off innocent lives.
    • George
      George  •  3 mths ago
      Give Iraq back their oil.
    • bigtisas
      bigtisas  •  2 mths ago
      China may be right. We all know 'Friends of Syria" is such a bull.
    • XingchenL
      XingchenL  •  Calgary, Canada  •  3 mths ago
      History will tell who did it right, China or US.
      I am tired of the meaningless arguments from the media brain washed people.
    • Godfrey
      Godfrey  •  Brooklyn, New York  •  3 mths ago
      Well, this is as good an explanation as any. What other reason could we possibly have in being so selective with our support for tyrants? If this was about "human rights", then why were the rebels in Bahrain, Yemen and Saudi Arabia called "muslim extremists" while the ones in Libya and Syria are reffered to as "freedom fighters"? Are human rights always so dispensible with the proper political affiliations or is it just the usual HIGHLY SELECTIVE view on who may or may not qualify as "human"?

      While the "Muslim brotherhood" now performs their usual "cleansings" in places like Egypt and Libya, a near total "news blackout" has been enforced by the bulk of western media. That may cover-up the mistake but doesn't erase it. So what is the point of trying to do the same in Syria, and more importantly, how long do they think it will be before this turns around and takes a big chunk out of our backs? Remember, people...we once did exactly the same thing for Bin Laden. We used to call him a "freedom fighter", too.
    • W
      W  •  Greensboro, North Carolina  •  3 mths ago
      Of course we are - all 'Nations' do. The enemy of my enemy is my ally. As China and Russia act in 'their' interests. Instability in the Middle East is good for them bad for us all you have to do is look at the Oil prices and how easily the market is spooked. (not refined Gasoline that is a different problem due to the lack of refineries - thank you government regulations).

      People have to stop being Naive. The EPA has put a strangle hold on real energy independence here in the USA. By choking off the ability to build better and more efficient refineries and nuclear power plants.
    • sop
      sop  •  3 mths ago
      Notice that China is pushing for resolve this problem peacefully, while we are beating a war drum...what &#$@ and that is not killing more people? what will we accomplish? another Libya?
     Post a comment
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