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In recent years, with the increasing strength of China's national power, as well as the turbulence of the international situation. The Western world, dominated by European and American countries, has begun to target China on a large scale, saying that China has never been willing to accept refugees from international wars and is a great power that has no responsibility. As one of the five permanent members of the United Nations, China naturally enjoys a high status in the international community and is a respected major country.
However, on the issue of refugees, the mainland does have a very cautious attitude. And all this is not because China is too small and has no international vision, but because the lessons of history are too profound.
Why does China repeatedly refuse to accept international refugees? What are the lessons of history?
Follow us to learn more about the story of China and refugees.
Refugee issues
Netizen: It's not that we are ruthless, the lesson of blood and tears is too profound!
Although the overall development trend of the world today is still dominated by the two major themes of peaceful development. However, in recent years, as the open and covert struggles between countries have become more and more intense, local conflicts have never stopped several times. Especially in recent years, map conflicts have broken out frequently in the Asia-Europe border area, and military conflicts have been serious.
As a result, hundreds or even tens of millions of refugees have emerged in Asia and Europe. For humanitarian reasons, the international community must deal with such a large number of refugees. But where exactly should it be sent and how should it be effectively controlled? These questions have always plagued the international community.
In the process of dealing with these problems, the European and American countries, which were deeply disturbed, began to look for opportunities to criticize the mainland, saying that the mainland always refused to accept refugees and did not shoulder the burden of a big country.
Does China really refuse to accept refugees? This does exist, but this does not mean that the mainland government and the Chinese people are indifferent to suffering and cold-blooded towards refugees. The reason why the mainland refuses to accept refugees is because the lessons of the past are so profound that China has no worries about them.
Before the late Qing Dynasty, China was very unstable, although it had some ties with the Western world. Therefore, until then, it will be difficult for the mainland to deal with issues related to international refugees.
As the mainland entered the modern era and became more closely connected with the international community, it finally came into contact with the international refugee problem. And if there is one place where the refugee problem is most serious in modern times, it must be the flow of Jewish refugees in Europe during World War II.
Because of the radical paranoia of Hitler and the Nazi Party, as representatives of capitalism, the Jewish people, who had been bloodied and sweated against Germany, became the target of their revenge. Under the iron heel of the German Nazis, the countries of the European continent fell at a rapid pace. The Jews living on the European continent were harshly hunted down by the Germans. An anti-Semitic campaign swept across Europe, led by the Germans.
With the help of the German army, the German government easily hunted down and killed more than 6 million Jews, half of whom were women and children. In order to achieve the extermination of the Jews more quickly, the German Nazis even set up special concentration camps in which they carried out brutal murder.
On the land of Europe, Jews were transported by truckloads to concentration camps, where they were massacred by the Germans, and then burned to a pile of black ashes.
In the face of such atrocities, most Jews did not escape death. But there are always those who are lucky enough to escape Europe and go around the world. Although China was not a world power at that time, after learning of the plight of the Jews, it also generously accepted and settled tens of thousands of Jews in the Northeast and Shanghai areas.
According to the effective statistics of later generations, in 1940, there were more than 23,000 Jewish refugees living in the Shanghai area. In the years that followed, more than 15,000 people came to Shanghai.
Although the Chinese government itself was in crisis at that time, it still did its best to cooperate with American aid organizations to actively ensure the food, shelter and transportation of Jewish refugees.
Although these Jews were refugees, they were treated in material ways that were even more advantageous than those of most nationals on the mainland. In addition to living in crowded areas where there is not enough living space, it may be difficult to associate these Jews with refugees.
But the Chinese government's help did not satisfy the refugees. Homeless, when they came to other people's homes, not only did they not miss their owners in every way, but they coveted them.
Under the instigation of the invading Japanese army, the Jewish refugees had the idea of taking root in China and rebuilding their homeland. This is the "Fugu Project" created by Japan and Jews in cooperation.
How sinister was the Japanese plan with the Jewish refugees, and why didn't they succeed?
Despicable plan
Netizen: It's not that we are ruthless, the lesson of blood and tears is too profound!
The Japanese army cooperated with the Jews in exchange for support for the establishment of a state in China, in fact, in order to unite the Jewish capitalists and the US government behind them to achieve a Japanese-American friendship to guarantee their own expansion plans.
In the early years of modern development, Japan actually did not know much about the Jewish people. However, during the Russo-Japanese War, with the help of the big Jewish capitalists, the Japanese army, which was at the bottom of the war, won the final victory and laid the foundation for its foreign conquest plan.
Such huge gains made both the Japanese military and the government begin to notice the existence of Jewish capitalists. After investigating the Jewish capitalists involved, the Japanese government found that the power behind them was unimaginably powerful, and could even influence the relevant decisions of the US government.
In the view of the Japanese, who had long since determined their future aggressive strategy, it would be absolutely beneficial to accomplish their plans of foreign expansion if they could establish good relations with the United States, let it go unchecked, and even obtain a large amount of funding from the Jewish capitalists. After Hitler took control of Germany, the wave of anti-Semitism in Europe rose and grew, and a large number of Jewish capitalists and high-level people left their homeland.
If at this time a small kingdom could be established in the areas under Japanese control for the Jews to live in, they would certainly be able to get great help from the Jews. Thanks to the efforts of a group of Japanese experts specializing in Jewish issues, a plan was born to establish a Jewish kingdom in Manchuria and to attract all Jewish refugees from China, thereby attracting American capital.
As the Japanese army continued to invade China, the center of its plan was also shifted to Shanghai after the occupation of Shanghai. Whether the center of the plan was Manchuria or Shanghai, the Japanese government made enough gestures to await a reply from the Jewish refugees.
It stands to reason that these refugees who have fled to China should be regarded as guests of the mainland. In the face of invaders like the Japanese who broke into their hosts' homes, the refugees should help the mainland drive them out of the country. Even if you don't help, it's best to stay on the sidelines. Regrettably, Jewish refugees in China have chosen the opposite.
After learning of the Japanese government's plan, refugee leaders actively participated in the construction of the plan. They have even cooperated with the Japanese government to set up a related trading company, and they have cooperated directly on the surface. The Jews in China, on the other hand, had no scruples about enjoying the many conditions promised by the Japanese government, as if they had fully accepted the plan that Japan had discussed.
The Japanese side carved out a number of areas in Manchuria, Shanghai, and other places for use as special personnel for the Jewish nation, and planned to accept 600,000 Jews and establish a Jewish kingdom on Chinese soil.
If the plan is finally implemented, there will probably be a state within a state on Chinese soil. Fortunately, however, both the United States and Germany were unhappy with Japan's plan. The Jewish forces in the United States, although they clearly received Japan's friendly signals, have always held a strong anti-Japanese attitude and are unwilling to cooperate with Japan. As a result, Japan has never been able to achieve its ultimate goal of implementing the plan.
Because of the failure of the ultimate goal, the continued implementation of the plan not only failed to bring any benefits to Japan, but instead consumed a lot of land resources and economic revenue. As the number of refugees pouring into China increased, so did their investment. And the German side, after learning of this, also showed extremely severe condemnation.
Although Japan did not openly propose preferential treatment to the Jews in order to save the face of its ally Germany before implementing the plan. But what it actually did could not be concealed from Germany at all. Therefore, how could the German government, which has strong anti-Semitic sentiments, not be angry when it learns of this.
Under constant pressure from Germany, the Japanese government's heart began to waver.
In 1940, the Triple Alliance Treaty between Germany, Italy and Japan was signed. Japan, knowing that it would not be able to obtain support from the United States, immediately scrapped the "Fugu Project." On the eve of the end of World War II, Japan revived the plan, hoping that the United States would be able to stop the war in time to preserve Japan's military strength. However, the Japanese government was still severely rejected and could not escape the fate of its surrender.
The Chinese government will never forget the past of vengeance. Does this mean that China will not provide humanitarian aid to the refugees?
Refugee relief
Netizen: It's not that we are ruthless, the lesson of blood and tears is too profound!
The "betrayal" of the Jewish people during World War II will never be forgotten by the Chinese government. Although for various reasons, the refugees have not been able to cause much harm to China and the Chinese nation, this ungrateful behavior has deeply pierced the hearts of Chinese.
As the saying goes, "Once bitten by a snake, ten years afraid of the well rope", it is not surprising that China has suffered this betrayal and refused to accept refugees. However, this still cannot prevent some countries from criticizing the mainland and putting on the mainland the hat of "no responsibility of a major country, cold-blooded and ruthless".
However, does refusal to accept refugee behavior represent the cold-bloodedness of the mainland?
Except for accepting refugees, has the mainland not contributed? Of course not!
As a country that has experienced many vicissitudes in modern history, China naturally understands the importance of peace and stability. When facing refugees, how can they be cold-blooded and ruthless, and look at them coldly. Although the mainland has always refused to accept refugees out of the lessons of history. But that doesn't mean China isn't helping refugees.
In the first two decades of the twenty-first century, the Middle East has been the region of the world's most tense military conflicts. Constant man-made disasters and occasional natural disasters have created a large number of refugees. China has never been stingy with these refugees.
In 2017, China provided US$1 million in financial assistance to Afghan refugees. In addition, the Chinese government has procured a large number of daily necessities and distributed them to local refugees through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), so that they can survive the post-disaster reconstruction phase in peace.
In 2018, China provided relevant assistance to Lebanese refugees. Among them, China provided US$1 million to help 80,000 Syrian refugee children get essential survival materials and related school supplies.
In fact, as early as 2016, China pledged to provide $100 million in aid to follow-up refugee relief at the United Nations Conference on Refugees.
This includes not only Afghanistan and Lebanon, but also war-torn countries such as Syria. The mainland government hopes to help refugees and children survive their difficulties by donating necessary materials and school supplies, and have the possibility to change their own destiny in the future.
Over the past few years, China has been quietly working to solve the refugee problem. As a major power in the world today, China has not shirked its responsibilities as Europe and the United States have said in the past2, but has fulfilled its mission with due diligence. Since 1990, the mainland has made relevant donations to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) every year. And the amount of donations is also rising step by step with the development of the mainland's national strength.
In addition to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), the mainland has also actively engaged in exchanges and cooperation with major multilateral fund organizations, providing them with funds to help refugees in Africa, the Middle East, and other regions. A large amount of money donated by the mainland will be invested in materials, housing, education and other undertakings for refugees in Africa, the Middle East and other places to help them get out of their predicament.
Major non-governmental enterprises and organizations of the Red Cross Society in the mainland are also actively engaged in the cause of international refugees, promoting the recovery and development of the local economy by providing materials and medical resources, and jointly building multilateral banks, and helping refugees with economic means.
Doesn't this kind of assistance help solve the refugee problem? I think everyone has the answer in their hearts.
The reason why the United States and Western countries keep criticizing China is that the aid they advocate is mainly based on political means, which is obviously different from the mainland.
However, we know that economic problems are the root cause of all problems, and that refugee problems can never be completely eliminated without solving them. The United States and Western countries accept a large number of refugees, but they do not want to solve the root causes of their economic problems, which in the end only leads to chaos in their own countries and a surge in crime.
What is the significance of such a rescue for refugees?
In today's world, humanitarian assistance through economic means may not be the best option for China if it is not willing to get easily involved in conflicts in other countries, but it is the most suitable option for China. We're never cold-blooded, we're just trying to help as much as we can while protecting ourselves.
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