Dutch newspaper Financieele Dagblad on August 22 ran an article by Ambassador Tom Chou about China using its sharp power to pressure business community and international world into following its rules, or face the wrath of Beijing.
In the article entitled “The business community follows the rules of China, under threat of economic sanctions,” Ambassador Chou pointed out that China is using its sharp power to reshape the world order and to create a new economic sphere of influence in the Euro-Asian continent.
Among China's excessive exertion of influence over global affairs, Taiwan is an obvious victim. In the past year. China rudely requires the international business community to comply with its principle of one China policy, including demanding international hotel chains and airlines to change their listed name for Taiwan to “Province of China.” Many succumb to the will of China for fear of economic sanctions.
A recent example of China's coercion over Taiwan is that, under the direct influence of Beijing, the East Asian Olympic Committee (EAOC) unilaterally revoked the organization of the 1st East Asian Youth Games (EAYG) in Taiwan in 2019. Beijing openly declared that the reason for its action is a proposed referendum in Taiwan.
That plebiscite was about the question as to whether Taiwan is to take part in the Olympic Games in Tokyo as “Chinese Taipei” or “Taiwan.” It is merely an expression of free speech in a democratic society like Taiwan. However, this seemly harmless civil campaign is completely unacceptable for an Orwellian regime like China. And once again Beijing flexes its muscle to pressurize those East Asian neighbors to collectively cancel the sport event.
Ambassador Chou stated that the international community should not cold-shoulder and acquiesce on matters like this. Giving in to political pressure and economical blackmail only serves as a further encouragement to Beijing to embolden its will and continue sharping its sword to search for the next victim. This could be any company, sector or country.
