Features

China labelled ‘evil empire’ as ‘new Cold War’ gets into top gear

Published

4 years ago

2021/07/22

Former US Vice President Mike Pence has drawn his foreign policy battle lines in his bid for the 2024 US presidency by reportedly labelling China an “evil empire”. Such tagging by the foremost figures of the political Right in the US of those powers seen as the country’s arch rivals, by drawing on theological imagery, has a familiar ring. Former Republican President Ronald Reagan, for one, was most adept at it.

In his efforts to damn the USSR during his presidency in the eighties Reagan often labelled it an “evil empire” and referred to the principal alliance headed by it as an “axis of evil”. In later decades, conservative opinion in the US fixed the tag “Satan” on Iraqi insurgents and on others seen as terrorists.

For the political Right in the US such labelling makes considerable sense. One of the Right’s support bases being Christian fundamentalist opinion in the US, the Right achieves a substantial measure of propaganda mileage through the use of theological imagery in its election rhetoric in particular. However, now that China has eclipsed Russia as the chief contender of the US in the latter’s efforts to remain the world’s foremost political, economic and military power, referring to China as an “evil empire” is politically expedient from the viewpoint of US conservative opinion. Moreover, the US Right is likely to factor in support that would be forthcoming for the US from Christian fundamentalist opinion the world over through such labelling strategies.

However, as pointed out by some commentators, divisive rhetoric carrying strong religious overtones of the above kind puts the world political order at the risk of getting back, as perhaps never before, to a bygone “discourse”, wherein the world was characterized as consisting of the “forces of civilization”, that is the West, and “barbarians”, meaning the rest of the world; more specifically the South. In other words, the chances of Western colonialism in its crudest forms strengthening itself in the Western consciousness are great. That is, Western racism could enjoy a new lease of life and prove a dangerously divisive force in international politics.

It is not the case that these tendencies in international politics were not present to a lesser or greater degree throughout modern world political history. They certainly were, but given the current global power distribution these trends could only serve to intensify big power rivalries and tensions in the days ahead and render the world a quite uncomfortable place to live in. This would be particularly true when the political Right occupies the US presidency.

Considering China’s present strengths, she is unlikely to prove a tame recipient of Western hostility on the ideological and other planes. The Chinese political leadership, in fact, is not mincing its words on how it would deal with Western military threats and power projections. For example, Chinese President Xi Jinping said in the course of his address to the nation recently on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party: “….We will never allow any foreign force to bully, oppress or subjugate us. Anyone who would attempt to do so will find themselves on a collision course with a great wall of steel by over 1.4 billion Chinese people.”

Needless to say, China is the power to watch. As it persists with its “Belt and Road” mega project, for instance, its economic power is bound to grow overwhelmingly. While it is yet to be seen whether all the countries and regions that come under the project would eventually be in a position to fend for themselves on a self-sustaining basis, what could be considered a certainty is that quite a few of these countries would be indebted to China. And being indebted is as good as being held in subjection.

While the US Right may stand to gain on the domestic front by pandering to local religious and ethnic prejudices, the bald fact is that China is now its foremost challenger on a number of planes and that it would need to deal with the greatest tact and foresightedness with China. It could no longer be considered barbaric, as in colonial times. In fact, even a Democratic administration in the US would need to be guided by these considerations.

The data on the economic front alone testify to the need for flexible and pragmatically-oriented US-China ties. For example, as the World Bank recently stated, global growth is expected to increase to 5.6 per cent this year and it is mainly China and the US that would be the drivers of this growth. The economic vibrancy of both countries is such that each would contribute a quarter of global growth in 2021. US growth is expected to reach 6.8 per cent this year, its fastest growth rate since 1984, while the World Bank expects China’s growth to hit 8.5 per cent.

Thus, the US would increasingly find that China is no “push-over” in economic matters and that a degree of peaceful co-existence would be badly needed between the countries if they are to gain mutually in their bilateral economic relations as well as in their efforts to interact on the economic plane with the rest of the world without getting in the way of each other. Whether Right or centrist, US administrations are bound to find out that China is just too big to handle roughly and dismissively. Diplomacy would prove crucial.

Accordingly, the West in general and the US in particular would need to divest themselves of divisive and unproductive mindsets, such as the notion that they alone represent the forces of civilization and that the rest of the world is barbaric, if they are to enjoy a degree of material self-sufficiency and be free of external military threats. The same goes for China, since her economic interactions with the world would be greatly hampered if she is to court strained relations with the rest of the international community.

However, the world expects much from its foremost powers. In terms of international peace and harmony, hardly anything has been achieved since the ending of World War Two. The big powers while working out ways of co-existing peacefully, need to also think in terms taking the world increasingly in the direction of a substantial measure of international peace and harmony. They need to think seriously on ways of decreasing their power rivalries which do not benefit the rest of the world in any way.

All News Advertisement

Features

Maduro abduction marks dangerous aggravation of ‘world disorder’

Published

22 hours ago

2026/01/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Venezuelan President Maduro being taken to a court in New York

The abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by US special forces on January 3rd and his coercive conveying to the US to stand trial over a number of allegations leveled against him by the Trump administration marks a dangerous degeneration of prevailing ‘world disorder’. While some cardinal principles in International Law have been blatantly violated by the US in the course of the operation the fallout for the world from the exceptionally sensational VVIP abduction could be grave.

Although controversial US military interventions the world over are not ‘news’ any longer, the abduction and hustling away of a head of government, seen as an enemy of the US, to stand trial on the latter soil amounts to a heavy-handed and arrogant rejection of the foundational principles of international law and order. It would seem, for instance, that the concept of national sovereignty is no longer applicable to the way in which the world’s foremost powers relate to the rest of the international community. Might is indeed right for the likes of the US and the Trump administration in particular is adamant in driving this point home to the world.

Chief spokesmen for the Trump administration have been at pains to point out that the abduction is not at variance with national security related provisions of the US Constitution. These provisions apparently bestow on the US President wide powers to protect US security and stability through courses of action that are seen as essential to further these ends but the fact is that International Law has been brazenly violated in the process in the Venezuelan case.

To be sure, this is not the first occasion on which a head of government has been abducted by US special forces in post-World War Two times and made to stand trial in the US, since such a development occurred in Panama in 1989, but the consequences for the world could be doubly grave as a result of such actions, considering the mounting ‘disorder’ confronting the world community.

Those sections opposed to the Maduro abduction in the US would do well to from now on seek ways of reconciling national security-related provisions in the US Constitution with the country’s wider international commitment to uphold international peace and law and order. No ambiguities could be permitted on this score.

While the arbitrary military action undertaken by the US to further its narrow interests at whatever cost calls for criticism, it would be only fair to point out that the US is not the only big power which has thus dangerously eroded the authority of International Law in recent times. Russia, for example, did just that when it violated the sovereignty of Ukraine by invading it two or more years ago on some nebulous, unconvincing grounds. Consequently, the Ukraine crisis too poses a grave threat to international peace.

It is relevant to mention in this connection that authoritarian rulers who hope to rule their countries in perpetuity as it were, usually end up, sooner rather than later, being a blight on their people. This is on account of the fact that they prove a major obstacle to the implementation of the democratic process which alone holds out the promise of the progressive empowerment of the people, whereas authoritarian rulers prefer to rule with an iron fist with a fixation about self-empowerment.

Nevertheless, regime-change, wherever it may occur, is a matter for the public concerned. In a functional democracy, it is the people, and the people only, who ‘make or break’ governments. From this viewpoint, Russia and Venezuela are most lacking. But externally induced, militarily mediated change is a gross abnormality in the world of democracy, which deserves decrying.

By way of damage control, the US could take the initiative to ensure that the democratic process, read as the full empowerment of ordinary people, takes hold in Venezuela. In this manner the US could help in stemming some of the destructive fallout from its abduction operation. Any attempts by the US to take possession of the national wealth of Venezuela at this juncture are bound to earn for it the condemnation of democratic opinion the world over.

Likewise, the US needs to exert all its influence to ensure that the rights of ordinary Ukrainians are protected. It will need to ensure this while exploring ways of stopping further incursions into Ukrainian territory by Russia’s invading forces. It will need to do this in collaboration with the EU which is putting its best foot forward to end the Ukraine blood-letting.

Meanwhile, the repercussions that the Maduro abduction could have on the global South would need to be watched with some concern by the international community. Here too the EU could prove a positive influence since it is doubtful whether the UN would be enabled by the big powers to carry out the responsibilities that devolve on it with the required effectiveness.

What needs to be specifically watched is the ‘copycat effect’ that could manifest among those less democratically inclined Southern rulers who would be inspired by the Trump administration to take the law into their hands, so to speak, and act with callous disregard for the sovereign rights of their smaller and more vulnerable neighbours.

Democratic opinion the world over would need to think of systems of checks and balances that could contain such power abuse by Southern autocratic rulers in particular. The UN and democracy-supportive organizations, such as the EU, could prove suitable partners in these efforts.

All in all it is international lawlessness that needs managing effectively from now on. If President Trump carries out his threat to over-run other countries as well in the manner in which he ran rough-shod over Venezuela, there is unlikely to remain even a semblance of international order, considering that anarchy would be receiving a strong fillip from the US, ‘The World’s Mightiest Democracy’.

What is also of note is that identity politics in particularly the South would be unprecedentedly energized. The narrative that ‘the Great Satan’ is running amok would win considerable validity among the theocracies of the Middle East and set the stage for a resurgence of religious fanaticism and invigorated armed resistance to the US. The Trump administration needs to stop in its tracks and weigh the pros and cons of its current foreign policy initiatives.

Features

Pure Christmas magic and joy at British School

Published

22 hours ago

2026/01/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Students of The British High School in Colombo in action at the fashion show

The British School in Colombo (BSC) hosted its Annual Christmas Carnival 2025, ‘Gingerbread Wonderland’, which was a huge success, with the students themseles in the spotlight, managing stalls and volunteering.

The event, organised by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), featured a variety of activities, including: Games and rides for all ages, Food stalls offering delicious treats, Drinks and refreshments, Trade booths showcasing local products, and Live music and entertainment.

The carnival was held at the school premises, providing a fun and festive atmosphere for students, parents, and the community to enjoy.

The halls of the BSC were filled with pure Christmas magic and joy with the students and the staff putting on a tremendous display.

Among the highlights was the dazzling fashion show with the students doing the needful, and they were very impressive.

The students themselves were eagerly looking forward to displaying their modelling technique and, I’m told, they enjoyed the moment they had to step on the ramp.

The event supported communities affected by the recent floods, with surplus proceeds going to flood-relief efforts.

Features

Glowing younger looking skin

Published

22 hours ago

2026/01/8

Sahan Weerasooriya

Hi! This week I’m giving you some beauty tips so that you could look forward to enjoying 2026 with a glowing younger looking skin.

Face wash for natural beauty

* Avocado:

Take the pulp, make a paste of it and apply on your face. Leave it on for five minutes and then wash it with normal water.

* Cucumber:

Just rub some cucumber slices on your face for 02-03 minutes to cleanse the oil naturally. Wash off with plain water.

* Buttermilk:

Apply all over your face and leave it to dry, then wash it with normal water (works for mixed to oily skin).

Face scrub for natural beauty

Take 01-02 strawberries, 02 pieces of kiwis or 02 cubes of watermelons. Mash any single fruit and apply on your face. Then massage or scrub it slowly for at least 3-5 minutes in circular motions. Then wash it thoroughly with normal or cold water. You can make use of different fruits during different seasons, and see what suits you best! Follow with a natural face mask.

Face Masks

* Papaya and Honey:

Take two pieces of papaya (peeled) and mash them to make a paste. Apply evenly on your face and leave it for 30 minutes and then wash it with cold water.

Papaya is just not a fruit but one of the best natural remedies for good health and glowing younger looking skin. It also helps in reducing pimples and scars. You can also add honey (optional) to the mixture which helps massage and makes your skin glow.

* Banana:

Put a few slices of banana, 01 teaspoon of honey (optional), in a bowl, and mash them nicely. Apply on your face, and massage it gently all over the face for at least 05 minutes. Then wash it off with normal water. For an instant glow on your face, this facemask is a great idea to try!

* Carrot:

Make a paste using 01 carrot (steamed) by mixing it with milk or honey and apply on your face and neck evenly. Let it dry for 15-20 minutes and then wash it with cold water. Carrots work really well for your skin as they have many vitamins and minerals, which give instant shine and younger-looking skin.