'They were fooled by Putin': Chinese historians speak out against Russian invasion

[Nevilledog]

Link to tweet

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/28/they-were-fooled-by-putin-chinese-historians-speak-out-against-russian-invasion

For Xu Guoqi, a Chinese historian, Beijing’s reluctance to denounce Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine is alarming. “I’m a historian of the first world war. Europe sleep-walked into a huge conflict over 100 years ago, which also had had enormous consequences for China,” Xu said. “The world may be at the point of no return again”.

But looking at how Chinese diplomats are responding to it, and how Chinese people have talked about it on social media in the past week, he said, “I’m afraid it seems we still have not learned the lessons of the past tragedies. As a historian I’m very disappointed.”

On Saturday morning, five renowned Chinese historians – Xu included – wrote an open letter denouncing Russia’s action on its neighbour and calling for peace. The authors of the letter hope to persuade Beijing to make its stance clearer: that what Russia is doing is wrong, and China should say it out loud.

“What will this war lead to? Will it lead to a large-scale world war?” the historians asked. “Great catastrophes in history often started with local conflicts. We strongly opposed Russia’s war against Ukraine. Russia’s invasion of a sovereign state by force … is a violation of the norms of international relations based on the United Nations charter and a breach of the existing international security system.”

*snip*

[Karadeniz]

1. I hope Xi listens.

[SheltieLover]

2. Glad they are speaking out

[OAITW r.2.0]

3. If China invades Taiwan, they can expect a similar response from the citizens of this world.

I hope China's leadership is understanding the lesson's of Putin's folly.

[Haggard Celine]

4. I doubt Beijing will listen.

There are too many parallels between the Ukraine war and a Taiwan war. Most of the world would condemn a war in Taiwan, and it would be an economic disaster for China. But China will eventually make its move, and is watching and waiting for the right moment.

[roamer65]

5. Putin has blown a very large hole in SCO.

Other members are now going to be very distrustful of Russia.