In concrete terms, the new law aims to counter foreign sanctions. Boudewijn Poldermans, a sinologist and board member of the Netherlands China Business Council, calls it a kind of “self-defense mechanism” intended to protect China’s interests and maintain the stability of the political system. ‘China’s economy is booming and there are all kinds of other problems. This is an attempt by the Chinese president to show who is boss and to be able to act if China is threatened with sanctions.”
Birthday
The law will come into force on Saturday 1 July, not surprisingly on the occasion of the centenary of the Chinese Communist Party. “This also plays a role in the background to show: We are not afraid of foreign countries,” says Poldermans.
The new law not only applies to US sanctions, but according to Poldermans it is also directed against other Western countries that make things difficult for China through sanctions of all kinds. For example, foreign organizations and individuals are not allowed to contribute to the implementation of foreign sanctions under the new law. “Otherwise, as a company, you run the risk that, for example, you will no longer be allowed to expand, that no permits or visas will be issued for foreign employees.”
Communication
US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken recently visited China, where he also met with President Xi Jinping. The meeting seemed to give hope that relations between the two superpowers are improving. “Blinken has at least tried to reopen the channels of communication, but he has only partially succeeded,” says Poldermans.
According to Poldermans, Blinken has been trying to reopen the channels of communication at the military level as well. But the Chinese didn’t like it. The Americans announced sanctions against the Chinese defense minister because he announced many Russian aircraft and weapons in 2018. The Chinese want him off the sanctions list first.”