Chinese President Xi Jinping said that any attempts to split China would fail. He made the remarks in a meeting with Nepali Prime Minister Khadga Prasad Sharma Oli during his visit to Nepal on 13 October 2019.

Certain nations are attempting to destabilize China and instigating separatist movements and unrest. There is evidence of foreign influence in the current Hong Kong unrest as well as the Xinjiang issue. Supplying arms to Taiwan and supporting the “Independence of Taiwan” is also a challenge to the “One China” policy.

China is a nation of dozens of minorities with a majority of Han nationality. All minorities have lived alongside Han Chinese in harmony for years and respect each other’s culture, traditions, habits, and lifestyle, while the Chinese constitution provides full protection to its minorities.

The Chinese system of governance is robust and comprehensive. Although China can opt for the use of force to settle minor issues, the country always hesitates to use force and observes restraint and patience. On the subject of Hong Kong, China has shown maximum flexibility, and it is hoped that the residents of Hong Kong will realize this soon and restore the regular routine and life.

China believes in the basic principles set by the United Nations Charter and abides by them strictly. That includes non-interference in other country’s domestic affairs. China has never indulged in the local issue of any nation and expects other nations to follow a similar policy of non-interference into Chinese affairs. China is a sovereign state and can handle all its own issues.

China has developed to a stage where no other countries can challenge it, and can surpass the threshold of many foreign conspiracies. China can face any challenge posed to its sovereignty.

The latest statement by China is based on its preparedness to face any challenge. China is a global power and is playing a role in maintaining peace and stability in the region and worldwide. Its development is in all dimensions, including economic development, technological development, and defense development. China has modernized its armed forces to a similar standard of any advanced country in the world.

Chinese Armed Forces are smart and equipped with the latest weaponry systems. The use of high-tech and advanced technologies has made Chinese defense unique.

China is the second-largest economy and growing at a fast pace. China’s development is in all dimensions and sustainable. Those who used to say the Chinese economy was a “bubble economy” were mistaken and proved wrong.

I think the way forward is to cooperate with China and potentially benefit from China’s growth. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is an excellent example of this potential cooperation as a mega initiative to promote connectivity, infrastructure, people-to-people contact, trade, business, culture, and understanding among various nations, and ultimately promote world peace, stability and prosperity.

Those who understand China are joining BRI, and many countries are already enjoying the fruits of the BRI. Pakistan is one of the biggest beneficiaries of the BRI and is managing the flagship project of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Those who do not understand China, or are jealous of China’s achievements and development, are mistaken and will be proved wrong. China has already crossed that threshold and emerged as a geopolitical power.

The opinions expressed in this article belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the People’s Daily Online.

About the author: Zamir Ahmed Awan is a senior fellow with Center for China and Globalization(CCG) and a sinologist at the National University of Sciences and Technology in Pakistan. E-mail: [email protected]