China Presses US on Guantanamo, accuses Washington of Hypocrisy
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Beijing, December 21, 2024 – The Chinese government has intensified its criticism of the United States, issuing a fresh call for the immediate closure of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp and the end of what it terms the “illegal occupation” of cuban territory. This renewed pressure comes amidst ongoing international concern over human rights practices at the facility and the long-standing dispute over the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay.
In a statement released Friday, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Lin Jian, sharply condemned the continued operation of the detention camp.Jian stated that the US should “close its detention facilities at Guantanamo Bay and withdraw from the base at guantanamo as soon as possible.” He further criticized the US for its alleged human rights abuses, asserting that Washington has “seriously violating international Law and undermining the sovereignty, rights and interests of Cuba.”
Jian highlighted the long history of the US presence at Guantanamo Bay, noting that “Despite the repeated protests of the Cuban Government, the United States has illegally occupied part of Guantánamo bay for more than 120 years.” He also accused the US of engaging in ”arbitrary detentions and torture” to “obtain confessions” within the detention facility. The spokesperson’s remarks underscore China’s consistent support for Cuba’s sovereignty and its opposition to what it views as US interference in Cuban affairs.
The Chinese government’s statement also directly addressed what it sees as hypocrisy in US foreign policy. Jian pointed out that while the US “keeps Cuba on the list as an alleged ‘State sponsor of terrorism’,” it concurrently engages in “massive arbitrary detentions,” a stark contradiction in the eyes of Beijing. This criticism highlights the broader geopolitical context of the issue, framing the Guantanamo Bay situation within a larger narrative of US foreign policy inconsistencies.
China’s stance is clear: “China firmly supports Cuba in defending its national sovereignty and dignity, and opposes US interference in Cuba’s internal affairs,” Jian emphasized.The statement concluded with a direct demand: “The United States needs to stop intimidating and blocking Cuba, return the Cuban people their lands and remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.” This forceful statement underscores the depth of China’s concerns and its willingness to publicly challenge US actions on the international stage.
The renewed pressure from China adds another layer of complexity to the already contentious issue of Guantanamo Bay. The long-standing debate over the camp’s legality and its human rights implications continues to resonate globally, with China’s vocal criticism adding fuel to the fire.
China Calls for Guantánamo Closure, Accuses U.S. of “Illegal Occupation” and Hypocrisy
Tensions between the united States and China are escalating as Beijing intensifies its criticism of the Guantanamo Bay detention camp, demanding its immediate closure and the end of what it calls the “illegal occupation” of Cuban territory. This renewed pressure from China comes amidst ongoing international concern over human rights practices at Guantanamo and the long-standing dispute over the US Naval Base there.
A Legal and Moral Imperative? Discussing China’s Stance on Guantanamo
Interviewer: Joining us today is Dr. Mei Zhang,a Senior Fellow at the Center for east Asian Studies and a leading expert on china-US relations. Dr. zhang, thank you for being here.
Linux:
Dr. Zhang: It’s my pleasure to be here.
Interviewer: China’s recent statement on Guantanamo Bay is quite forceful. Beijing is not just calling for the closure of the detention camp but also accusing the US of “illegal occupation” of Cuban territory. How should we interpret this strong language?
Dr. Zhang: This reflects a deeper pattern in China’s foreign policy. China consistently frames issues like Guantanamo Bay within a narrative of US imperialism and interference in sovereign affairs. Beijing has long expressed
support for cuba, viewing the US embargo and the Guantanamo Bay base as direct challenges to cuban sovereignty. By using terms like “illegal occupation,” China aims to highlight what they see as a clear violation of international law and a
persistent symbol of US hegemony.
Interviewer: China also accuses the US of hypocrisy, pointing to the designation of Cuba as a State Sponsor of Terrorism while together engaging in practices they consider arbitrary detentions. Can you elaborate on this point?
Dr. Zhang: Yes, this is a central part of China’s argument. They see a double standard in US foreign policy. On one hand, the US criticizes countries like Cuba for human rights violations and labels them as
“terror sponsors.” On the other hand,the US operates a detention camp at Guantanamo Bay which has been widely criticized for alleged human rights abuses,including indefinite detention without trial. This inconsistency, in
China’s view, exposes a lack of moral authority on the part of the US to lecture other nations on human rights and terrorism.
Interviewer: What are the potential implications of china’s stance on Guantanamo for US-China relations?
Dr. Zhang: This issue adds another layer of complexity to an already strained relationship. China’s vocal criticism of Guantanamo Bay serves several purposes. It allows them to score points against the US on the international stage,rallying support from countries critical of US foreign policy. It also bolsters China’s image as a champion of the developing world and a defender of
sovereignty. However,it also risks escalating tensions wiht the US,notably at a time when the two countries are already locked in a fierce geopolitical competition.
Interviewer: Do you think China’s voice will have any impact on the future of the Guantanamo Bay detention facility?
Dr. Zhang: While China’s influence is growing globally, I doubt it will single-handedly force the US to close Guantanamo. this is a deeply
entrenched issue for the US government, involving complex legal and political considerations. However, China’s persistent pressure,
coupled with the ongoing international condemnation of the detention camp, might contribute to a reconsideration of its future, albeit
gradually.
Interviewer: Dr. Zhang, thank you for sharing your valuable insights.
Dr.Zhang: You’re welcome.
