Vincent Gao (高志凱), vice president of the Center for China and Globalization and former interpreter for Deng Xiaoping (鄧小平) recently gave an interview with al-Jazeera’s Mehdi Hasan in which Gao appeared overwhelmed on multiple occasions.
When asked about sensitive topics such as Taiwan and Xinjiang, Gao attempted to adhere to the official position of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), but quickly succumbed to Hasan’s precise and consistent questioning, which exposed the flaws in the CCP’s positions. His views on unification with Taiwan were also widely criticized.
Throughout the interview, Gao reiterated the importance of “one China.” He said it is “not up to the people in Taiwan to decide about the ‘one China’ policy,” in response to Hasan saying that only 12 percent of Taiwanese support unification.
He also reiterated that if China unified with Taiwan, Taiwanese must pledge allegiance to the Chinese government or risk losing their rights to citizenship.
This also highlighted the CCP’s disregard for the will of Taiwanese, and its insistence on achieving its political goals through force and intimidation.
Hasan cited reports on the human rights abuses of Uighurs in Xinjiang, with credible reports showing that at least 500,000 Uighurs are being held in concentration camps.
Gao attempted to justify the large-scale detentions by saying Uighurs must toe the CCP line to be granted their freedom, but this rhetoric proved insufficient to cover up China’s increasing international isolation.
Asked whether the party would allow an interview like theirs to be aired in Beijing, Gao’s evasive response just illustrated the CCP’s suppression of free speech, which contrasts starkly with its rhetoric about “Chinese-style democracy” at international forums.
Asked about the disappearance of former Chinese minister of foreign affairs Qin Gang (秦剛), Gao said Qin was dismissed due to his involvement in corruption and hinted that he would be disappeared indefinitely, emphasizing the merciless power struggles within the CCP. His comments raise questions about the internal power structure and future direction of the party.
Gao’s responses were also an insight into the CCP’s strict control over public opinion.
Asked about freedom of speech in China, Gao said: “In China, don’t criticize our president unless you have a very positive, constructive proposal to make.”
While this might seem to be a reasonable concept at first glance, it reflects the highly restricted nature of free speech in China.
The suppression of free speech makes it difficult for the CCP to gain international recognition and weakens its global standing.
Gao’s performance not only exposed the vulnerabilities of the CCP’s propaganda on the international stage, but also reflected the propaganda’s inability to withstand public pressure.
Whether it is its attitude toward Taiwan or their dismissive response to human rights abuses in Xinjiang, the party’s contradictions in maintaining a positive or responsible image are becoming increasingly apparent.
Internationally, people are gradually waking up to Beijing’s propaganda, and coupled with internal power struggles, the party’s credibility is weakening in real time. If the CCP continues to ignore international scrutiny, its hegemonic actions would only exacerbate its diplomatic isolation, resulting in China’s international standing plummeting.
Chen Chun is an international affairs researcher.
Translated by Wang Yun-fei
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