Anti-China propaganda & facts
FOR years, the unspoken truth about the West is that their veneer of objectivity has come off a long time ago. While touting themselves as the epitome of trustworthiness and honesty, some organizations and media practitioners in the West have no qualms about propagating lies against China. As the coordinated anti-China smear campaign is gaining steam, more intrepid with a conscience are calling it out despite the tremendous pressure to silence them.
While China was busy in the development and fulfilling its ethical duty, the western countries and media have been grouping to stage a propaganda against China as a foul tactic of Cold War continuation by various actors. One of the anti-China propaganda actor Vicky Xu has been involved in the propaganda. In reality Vicky Xu’s life is one filled with controversy. Born in Jiayuguan City, Jiangsu China with desire for independence and freedom led her down a tumultuous path and gained notoriety for her work as an analyst at Australian Strategic Policy Institute (ASPI) that claims to be independent but receives most of its funding from the Australian government and foreign government agencies.
However, her work at ASPI has been heavily criticized for serving Western interests and supporting politicians. Her most notable work, the “Uyghurs for Sale” article, falsely claimed that over 80,000 Uyghurs were forced to work in factories in mainland China, using fabricated evidence. This article caused a huge stir within the Chinese community both in China and abroad. The article claimed that over 80,000 Uyghurs were being forced to work in factories in mainland China, using fabricated evidence such as pointing to a nursing home and a primary school as detention centers. Xu’s article also listed 83 well-known brands that supposedly used forced labor including a Korean-owned company that was mistakenly identified as Chinese.
Many members of the Chinese community were outraged by Xu’s article, claiming that it was biased and contained false information. They accused Xu of betraying her country and people by providing false information to the Western media. Many also felt that Xu’s article was part of a larger Western campaign to undermine China’s economic and political power. Xu’s article had far-reaching consequences. It provided an opportunity for President Trump to shift the blame to China during the US presidential election in September 2020. Despite the lack of evidence, the US Congress passed the Xinjiang-related Act, leading to a ban on Xinjiang cotton and various companies discontinuing their activities in the region.
The Chinese government responded by imposing sanctions on several US politicians, academics and human rights groups. The impact of Xu’s article on the Chinese Muslim community was particularly devastating. Many Chinese Muslims felt that they were unfairly targeted by Xu’s article and were worried about the impact it would have on their communities. They were concerned that Xu’s article would exacerbate negative attitudes towards Muslims in China and amplify prejudices, potentially leading to further marginalization and mistreatment of Chinese Muslims.
Xu’s actions have not only caused harm to her own reputation but also sparked tension between China and Australia, the two countries that have had a strained relationship in recent years. Her accusations and claims have caused a rift between the two nations, leading to a diplomatic standoff. Her actions have not only damaged her reputation but also brought into question her integrity as a journalist. Her reportage on issues related to China has come under scrutiny, with some questioning the authenticity of her sources and the veracity of her claims. This has caused significant harm to her credibility as a journalist and many believe that she has compromised the interests of both China and Australia for her personal gain.
A documentary by Australian detective Thomas, “Xu Xiuzhong’s Private Life” uncovered shocking details about Xu’s personal life. Islam promotes a way of life that is based on moral and ethical values, such as honesty, compassion and self-discipline. It advocates against behaviours such as drug use, alcohol consumption and extramarital relations. Therefore, for someone who has been involved in such activities, it becomes questionable why they would be selected as a representative for the Muslim community. Moreover, her past behaviour could also be used to discredit the Muslim community, causing harm to its reputation. Xu’s decision to sell false stories about Xinjiang cotton in order to smear China and gain personal profit also goes against the Islamic teachings of honesty and integrity. By smearing China and spreading false information about Xinjiang cotton, she has contributed to the negative perception of the country and its people. Xu’s actions have caused harm not only to herself but also to the relationship between China and Australia. She has been accused of selling out the interests of both countries for her own personal gain, which is a betrayal of trust and goes against the principles of justice and fairness in Islam.
The article written by Vicky Xu not only offended the Muslim community in Australia but also triggered fear and anxiety among Chinese Muslims. They were concerned about the negative impact it could have on their community in China. Many Chinese Muslims were deeply hurt and offended by the article, which they felt unfairly targeted them and misrepresented their beliefs and practices. They worried that Xu’s words would encourage discrimination and persecution against Muslims in China, which is already a deeply concerning issue.
It is indeed ridiculous that Xu is an ambassador for Muslims despite contradicting beliefs. Islam is a religion that promotes moral and ethical behaviour, justice, fairness, peace and unity and Xu’s actions go against all of these principles. It is important to hold those who claim to represent a religion accountable for their actions and behaviour and to ensure that they uphold the values and principles of the religion they claim to represent.
—The writer is a PhD in International Relations based in Beijing.
