Intelligence Squared

The Sunday Debate: It’s Time to Treat China Like an Adversary not a Partner

Nov 14, 2021
Nathan Law, a Hong Kong activist in exile, debates alongside Alan Mendoza of The Henry Jackson Society about viewing China as an adversary. They argue that rising tensions and human rights abuses necessitate a tougher stance from the West. Opposing them, Shirley Yu, a China-Africa Initiative director, and former Liberal Democrat leader Vince Cable advocate for continued engagement, emphasizing diplomacy over confrontation. The discussion dives into pressing issues like human rights violations and the shifting geopolitical landscape, stressing the need for a balanced approach.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Suppression of Dissent

  • Nathan Law recounts his imprisonment for peaceful assembly in Hong Kong.
  • He highlights the Uyghur scholar Ilham Tohti's life sentence for promoting reconciliation, demonstrating China's intolerance.
INSIGHT

Partnership Requires Shared Values

  • Nathan Law questions whether China, under the CCP, can be a trusted partner given its oppressive tactics.
  • He argues that true partnership requires shared values and respect for human rights, which China lacks.
INSIGHT

China's Totalitarian State

  • Nathan Law describes China's advanced surveillance state as exceeding Orwell's 1984.
  • He warns about the CCP's intent to dismantle democratic values, evident in Document Number 9.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app