China hails Pakistan as ‘real iron brother’ for refusing to attend US democracy summit

Share
ISLAMABAD — Chinese Foreign Office spokesman Lijian Zhao has hailed Pakistan as a “real iron brother” for turning down the invitation to the Biden administration’s “Summit for Democracy” this week.
US President Joe Biden had invited Taiwan to the summit, a move that infuriated China, which views the island as its territory.
The first-of-its-kind summit was a test of Biden’s assertion — announced in his first foreign policy address in office in February — that he would return the United States to global leadership to face down authoritarian forces led by China and Russia.
There were 110 participants on the State Department’s invitation list for the virtual event on December 9 and 10, which aimed to help stop democratic backsliding and the erosion of rights and freedoms worldwide. The list did not include China or Russia.
Pakistan this week declined the invitation to the summit, saying it would “engage on this subject [democracy] at an opportune time in the future.” At a press briefing on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Pakistani foreign office said it was a “considered decision” by Islamabad not to attend.
“Pakistan declined to attend democracy summit,” Lijian tweeted. “A real iron brother!”
Pakistan declined to attend democracy summit. A real iron brother! pic.twitter.com/oTjHHlNPM3
— Lijian Zhao 赵立坚 (@zlj517) December 9, 2021
The invite for Taiwan came as China stepped up pressure on countries to downgrade or sever relations with the island, which is considered by Beijing to have no right to the trappings of a state. Self-governed Taiwan says Beijing has no right to speak for it.
Sharp differences over Taiwan persisted during a virtual meeting last month between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
While Biden reiterated longstanding US support for the “One China” policy under which it officially recognizes Beijing rather than Taipei, he also said he “strongly opposes unilateral efforts to change the status quo or undermine peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” the White House said.
Xi said that those in Taiwan who seek independence, and their supporters in the United States, were “playing with fire,” according to state news agency Xinhua.
Rights groups question if Biden’s Summit for Democracy can push those world leaders who are invited, some accused of harbouring authoritarian tendencies, to take meaningful action.
Pakistan snubs US invite to democracy summit 08:22 PM | 8 Dec, 2021ISLAMABAD – Pakistan has turned down the US invitation for participation in the Summit for Democracy, being held ...
- Pakistan becomes a full member of the international olive council09:53 PM | 22 May, 2022
- Impact of Climate Change on Mango Production in Pakistan08:30 PM | 19 May, 2022
- Pakistan agriculture facing severe water shortage06:33 AM | 16 May, 2022
- Effects of severe heat wave on crops in Pakistan06:17 PM | 11 May, 2022
- What can farmers do to increase the efficiency of fertilizers?07:21 PM | 6 May, 2022
- Pakistan begins nationwide polio immunisation campaign after ...03:51 PM | 23 May, 2022
- Govt decides to complete term amid deepening political, economic ...03:45 PM | 23 May, 2022
- Nora Fatehi’s new bold dance video at beach goes viral03:23 PM | 23 May, 2022
- Man arrested for creating fake account of PM Shehbaz on Twitter02:50 PM | 23 May, 2022
- Pakistan announce squad for West Indies ODI series02:16 PM | 23 May, 2022
- Resham slams Imran Khan over sexist remarks against Maryam Nawaz12:16 PM | 23 May, 2022
- Is Aamir Liaquat getting ready for fourth marriage? Here’s all you ...07:49 PM | 22 May, 2022
- Mira Sethi’s smoking photo goes viral02:35 PM | 22 May, 2022
- Dollar hits all-time high at Rs19212:45 PM | 12 May, 2022
- Five best Pakistani YouTube channels that would make your Ramadan ...12:24 PM | 15 Apr, 2022
- Where does Pakistan stand in most powerful passport list in 2022? ...08:37 PM | 5 Apr, 2022
- International Women's Day - Pakistani women who made a mark globally!09:55 PM | 8 Mar, 2022