Australian Polity, Volume 10 Number 1 & 2

the disappearance of dissidents, Dalio compared China
to a ‘strict parent’. Facing an avalanche of criticism, Dalio
backtracked, insisting that he had ‘sloppily answered a
question about China’ and that he was simply attempting
to explain Confucian ideas about family!
Often business leaders back down to threats from China.
The Chief Executive of JP Morgan, Jamie Dimon, sparked
criticism in China when he joked that both the CCP and
the firm were celebrating their centenary, adding ‘I’d
make a bet that we would last longer’. On cue came the
faux outrage of the then editor of the Global Times, Hu
Xijin, who barked ‘think long term! And I bet the CCP will
outlast the USA.’
Kowtowing to China by business has become common
place. Apple CEO Tim Cook agreed to pay China $275
billion to ensure the company met the country’s business
regulations. Apple also gave the Chinese authorities full
access to data on its customers in the country, something
it would not even do to assist the FBI investigate a
terrorism incident in 2016. Apple has also been accused
of sourcing materials from businesses using slave labor.
Well-known fashion brands have refused to disclose the
supply chains of their merchandise even where slave
labor is suspected. Zara and Hugo Boss backtracked
from statements distancing the brands from cotton from
Xinjiang. Intel apologised to the CCP for asking suppliers
to avoid sourcing goods from Xinjiang after threatened
boycotts of the company’s products. Other firms, such
as Walmart, which has 434 Walmart and Sam’s Club
stores in China, was accused of ‘stupidity and shortsightedness’
by the Chinese authorities after removing
items sourced from Xinjiang. Even Amazon is reported
to have agreed not to allow any rating under five stars
for comments on Xi Jinping’s books!
Increasingly, western countries are enacting laws that
will force companies to comply with international norms.
The US Congress passed legislation that will ban goods
from Xinjiang unless companies can prove they were not
made with forced labor. Legislators are also becoming
more assertive. Senator Marco Rubio alleged that the
consultancy giant, McKinsey & Co, had repeatedly lied
to him and his staff about their involvement with the
Chinese government.
This article was first published in the Spectator Australia.
“There are only three strategies in the
Beijing playbook: bully and intimidate;
accuse adversaries of doing what China
itself does; and engage in tantrum
diplomacy. ”
14 Australian Polity