DIALOGUE: The meeting between the two heads of states will seek to develop relations with sense of responsibility for their nations, history and global peace…

By People’s Daily Correspondent

BEIJING – At the invitation of US President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping will attend a China-US summit meeting and the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting in San Francisco.

The two Presidents will have in-depth communication on issues of strategic, overarching and fundamental importance in shaping China-US relations and major issues concerning world peace and development.

It will be the first visit of Xi to the US in the recent six years, and the first face-to-face meeting between the two heads of state since their Bali meeting last year. The meeting will be of significant importance and attract worldwide attention.

The China-US relationship is the most important bilateral relationship in the world. Whether China and the US can handle their relationship well bears on the future of the world.

Head-of-state diplomacy plays an irreplaceable strategic role in growing bilateral ties. Since February 2021, Xi has had multiple phone talks and meetings with Biden, aiming to steer the China-US relationship along the right track.

During a virtual meeting with Biden in November 2021, Xi pointed out that the most important event in international relations in the coming 50 years will be for China and the US to find the right way to get along.

China’s policy toward the US is consistent, which is mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. China is ready, on this basis, to explore with the United States the right way for the two countries to get along and take their relations steadily forward.

Last November, Xi and Biden met in Bali, Indonesia, and reached a series of important common understandings, which had profound impacts on China-US relations.

The meeting identified a clear direction, that is, to prevent China-US relations from getting derailed or out of control, and to find the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other.

It established a framework, i.e., jointly working out the guiding principles, or a strategic framework, for China-U.S. relations. It also kicked off a process, i.e., implementing the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state to manage and stabilize China-U.S. relations.

In recent times, the two countries have implemented the consensus reached by the two heads of state during their meeting in Bali, increased high-level exchanges and initiated a series of dialogue mechanisms, thus activating exchanges and cooperation in sub-national, non-governmental, and people-to-people levels. As a result, bilateral relations between the two countries have shown signs of stabilization.

The face-to-face meeting between Xi and Biden this time, a year after they met in Bali, will be of great significance for stabilizing and improving China-US relations, and for the two countries in jointly coping with global challenges and promoting world peace and development. China and the U.S. “returning to Bali and leading to San Francisco” is in line with the common interests of the two countries and the general expectation of the international community.

The fluctuation of China-US relations in recent years has proved that both countries should always adhere to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. There have been and will continue to be differences between the two countries, but this should not hinder China and the US from seeking common ground while shelving differences and pursuing win-win cooperation.

As two major countries, China and the US shoulder special responsibilities and should demonstrate the broad-mindedness, vision, and commitment of major countries. Only by handling the China-U.S. relations with a sense of responsibility for history, for the people and for the world can the two countries continuously enhance the well-being of their peoples, promote the progress of human society, and contribute to world peace and development.

China and the US, as permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and the world’s top two economies, account for over 1/3 of the global economy, nearly 1/4 of the world’s population, and approximately 1/5 of global bilateral trade. They bear significant responsibilities for the peace, stability, and development of the world.

As the world enters a new period of turbulence and transformation, uncertainties, instabilities, and unpredictable factors are increasing. The international community universally hopes for an early return to the track of healthy and stable development in China-US relations, which would inject stability, certainty, and constructiveness into the uncertain world.

In today’s world, coordination and cooperation between China and the US. are indispensable to the post-pandemic global recovery, the response to climate change, and the resolution of regional hotspot issues. The two countries jointly tackling global challenges is not only a necessity for world peace and development, but also a responsibility of major countries. Given the profound changes unseen in a century, every responsible politician must answer the questions of the times and make historic choices with confidence, courage, and a sense of responsibility.

Both China and the US should adhere to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. With a sense of responsibility for history, for the people and for the world, the two countries should meet each other halfway and strive for sound and stable development of their relations. – People’s Daily

Comment

SHAME ON BULLYING TEACHERS

A distraught family at Thokoza in Ekurhuleni, is mourning the unfortunate death of their 12-year-old child who recently took his life because of alleged blasphemous, homophobic abuse and ill-treatment at the hands of four educators, including the principal at his school.

Sibusiso Mbatha, a Grade Six pupil at the local Khehlekile Primary School  could not cope with the insults that were allegedly hurled at him by his tutors simply because of his sexual orientation. Stressed and reduced to inhuman treatment by those who are supposed to  protect and show him the necessary love and groom him for a better tomorrow, Mbatha finally decided to rid himself from these torturous insults. He chose to end his life. What a pity.

An investigation by a firm of lawyers appointed by the Gauteng Department of Education into the circumstances that led to this tragedy, has revealed evidence of alleged emotional and homophobic abuse against the pupil . The probe also established that the principal might have failed to fulfil his responsibilities by mishandling  the issue and attempting to shield the deputy principal who is also implicated in the shameful act.       

The principal  also allegedly neglected to inform the school’s governing body about the abuse Mbatha was subjected to. The reprimanding of Mbatha in public about his sexual orientation allegedly contributed to his distress and highlighted the insensitivity across multiple parties at the school, according to the report. It is obvious that Mbatha’s death has traumatised his classmates and we wonder how the implicated teachers are going to face these pupils who are still shocked by this tragedy.

We welcome the findings and recommendations contained in the report which include, amongst others, that disciplinary action be taken against the four teachers involved in the alleged ill-treatment, blasphemy and homophobic abuse of the deceased pupil. The Head of the department and Mbatha’s class teacher must be placed on precautionary suspension and later face disciplinary action. The Gauteng Department of Education (GDE), which has to be commended for swiftly acting on the matter after receiving complaints,  has been urged to work with school governing bodies at schools and to implement anti-bullying and homophobia policies and ensuring strict adherence to these policies.

Parents put a lot of trust in teachers who are expected  to act as guardians of  their children, preparing them for a brighter future at their respective schools almost  eight hours a day. They do not send their children to school to be tormented by teachers – for whatever reason – who are expected to be viewed as their parents.

The teachers implicated in the emotional and homophobic abuse of  Sibusiso Mbatha, which eventually led him to take his life, must hang their heads in shame. The recommendations contained in the report must be implemented as soon as  possible. All that the Mbatha family is waiting for now, is justice for their little gift from God who had to leave these shores at such an early age because of  certain insensitive teachers who would dare treat their own children in such a disgraceful manner. Shame on you.