CYIL vol. 13 (2022)

CYIL 13 ȍ2022Ȏ THE ATTITUDE OF THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA TOWARD INTERNATIONAL LAW modify the security law it imposed on Hong Kong, which erased many of the basic rights promised to Hong Kong nationals under the Hand-Over Agreement. Finally, China can amend its foreign investment regime to allow foreign companies to compete on a more equal footing with Chinese state-owned companies. Initially one expected Xi Jinping to be happy to work with the Biden administration, but he is not likely to make concessions on the key policy differences that divide them. Biden has also maintained the hardline against China that he campaigned on and shows no sign of making concessions either. There is bipartisan opposition to China in the national US Congress, which makes it difficult for Biden, as he does not want to be seen as going soft on China. Congress recently passed bipartisan legislation banning imports of goods produced by the forced labor of Uighurs. 150 Congress has also pressured the Biden administration to boycott the Winter Olympics in Beijing. After a careful review of all its options, President Biden announced a diplomatic boycott of the games over China’s human rights policy. This means American athletes will be able to participate but US diplomats will not attend. 151 The UK, Australia, Canada, and several other countries boycotted the winter Olympics over China’s human rights policy. 152 Xi Jinping will outlive his counterpart in Washington, as he is likely to remain in power for decades. One of China’s finest qualities is patience. China announced its intention to issue hefty fines for any Taiwanese company operating in China that speaks out in favor of Taiwan’s independence. Xi Jinping is willing to wait Biden out and see what his successor brings to the table. However, the train has left the station, and US policy to reverse or slow China’s rise is likely to fail. China’s support for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has complicated the relationship between the US and China. Putin met with Xi Jinping in early February, before the opening of the Winter Olympics. The two leaders signed an agreement with “no limits.” They also spelled out their views on a range of international issues, which indicated their dislike for the current rules-based international order and their goal to replace it with their version. The two leaders also agreed to expand their economic cooperation. 153 In hindsight, this cooperation agreement was a tacit endorsement by China of Russia’s plan to invade Ukraine on February 24 th . China blamed NATO and the US for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and said Russia has legitimate security concerns. China abstained from both the Security Council and General Assembly resolutions condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as an act of aggression. 154 China continues to support Russia despite the brutality with which Russia has executed its military operation in Ukraine and the humanitarian impact of the war. China has made no effort to use its influence over Putin to get him to stop the war or to allow for a humanitarian corridor. Despite President Biden’s warning to China that there will be consequences if it seeks to help 150 The Uyhgur Forced Labor Prevention Act passed by Congress on December 9, 2021. 151 NAKASHIMA, E.,MAESE, R. InPointed Snub,NoUSOfficial will AttendBeijingWinterOlympic, at https://wash ingpost.com/national-security/us-china-diplomatic-boycott-beijing-winter-olympics2021/12/06/1d2e9920 56b1-11ec-9a18-a506. 152 SPECIA, M. U.K.Won’t Send Top Officials to BeijingWinter Olympics , at www.nytimes.com/2021/12/08/europe/ uk-china.olympics-diplomatic-boycott.html. 153 MUNROE, T., OSBORN, A., PAMUK, H. China, Russia partner up against West at Olympics Summit, at https:// www.reuters.com/world/europe/russia-china-tell-nato-stop-expansion-moscow-backs-beijing-taiwan-2022-02-04. 154 MAULDIN, W. Russia Blocks U.N. Bid to End Ukraine Conflict; China Abstains From Vote , at https://www.wsj. com/livecoverage/Russia-ukraine-conflict-latest-news-2022-02-26/card/Russia-blocks-u-n-bid-to-end-ukraine conflict-china.

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