by Koo Lap

The self-proclaimed “wolf-warrior artist” Wuhe Qilin (literal translation: unorganized, mythical hooved chimerical creature in Chinese culture), a Beijing film and television person, created a collaged image to show an Australian soldier with a blood-stained dagger up against the neck of an Afghan child holding a lamb. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Zhao Lijian who has impersonated a wolf warrior, immediately shared it with an added comment: “The killing of Afghan civilians and prisoners by Australian soldiers is shocking. We condemn it and call on those responsible to be held accountable.” Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison slammed the wolf warrior for fabricating the image to slander Australia, an outrageous act of which the Chinese government should be ashamed, particularly for the style of official smearing. Zhao Lijian’s accomplice, Hua Chunying, retorted: “With soldiers committing such atrocious crimes in Australia, shouldn’t their government be ashamed?”

That’s a redundant question. An independent investigation conducted by the Australian Department of Defense showed the data of 39 Afghan civilians, including children, suspected to have been illegally killed by 25 Australian special forces, but there was not the accident fabricated by Wuhe Qilian, one that was also approved by Zhao Lijian. 19 of those soldiers will be prosecuted, and the Minister of Defense has apologized to the people of Afghanistan and Australia, and promised to compensate the families of the victims. Morrison called this honest and frank admittance of such a scandal the right thing for a free, democratic, and open country to do. Some so-called great powers obviously do not know such things called humility and moral courage as displayed by Australia.

Australia’s population is similar to that of Shanghai’s, with about 25 million. After the 9/11 Terrorist Attack, 26,000 soldiers were sent to join in the civilized countries’ fight against the Taliban in Afghanistan, a number that is a large proportion of its population compared to those of other countries. Unfortunately among which, 25 black sheep have lost their conscience. What a shame. Just like Morrison said, it is rare for countries to demonstrate this level of courage to admit their mistakes. A similar case was in 1968, when the American military murdered more than 300 civilians in the My Lai Massacre. The incident shocked the entire country, and triggered anti-war sentiments. The Pentagon investigated the case and issued a 9,000-page report. The military interrogated 26 soldiers and sentenced the responsible officer to life imprisonment (and post-parole).

That so-called powerful country has been in power for 70 years. From land reform, the three oppositions, the five oppositions, the Great Leap Forward, and all the way to the Cultural Revolution, the manmade disasters have been numerous. Those who have been killed by the tyranny, on record, were more than 50 or 60 million. Since the reform and opening up, the people had just let out a sigh of relief, before they were thrown into the retreat of the people for the advancement of the country, and tightened control; As a result, as the so-called great power rises, those who manage to do so, including Hongkongers, have used their means to escape. When have those in power ever displayed the courage of the Australians and the Americans, to face the truth, and to hold themselves responsible by bear the mistakes in the face of its people? You all know the answer, hence I won’t babble on.

The courage to face faults and admit mistakes is the basic, necessary condition for a great power; in the face of great pressure and not to yield is the basic, true nature of great power. Australia has demonstrated this beautifully. China is the largest consumer of Australian products, making up 30% of its total exports. In numbers, it makes up about 6.7% of Australia’s GDP. Other than being the primary market for tangible commodities such as coal, iron, beef, lobster, wine, and barley, it is also the main source of foreign income in intangible commodities such as tourism and education. Has Australia succumbed to the power of the dirty authority for money?

Surely no. Since the outbreak of the Wuhan Virus, Australia has insisted that the WHO investigate the source of the virus, banned the use of Huawei’s 5G network, voiced out for Hong Kong’s resistance protest, and provided convenience for Hong Kong holders of the BNO…not a single one of these did not evoke retaliation from China. Whether it was the refusal for carriers of Australian coals to dock, or the imposition of punitive tariffs on their lobsters and wine. The biggest consumer bullies on, and there is no sign of subsiding. Yet Australia has not given in. To the despicable smearing of Zhao Lijian and Hua Chunying, it has directly and immediately denounced. A country with a smaller population than even a quarter of Guangdong but with such perseverance and resistance, how is one not to respect?

Although Canada has five times the population of that of Canada, it is but 38 million, which is almost a little over a third of Guangdong province. China is Canada’s third-largest export market, following the United States and the European Union. Although it is not as reliant on the Chinese market as Australia, the amount is not small. Last year, the total export value reached US$17.5 million. When the United States demanded to detain Meng Wanzhou, the Huawei crowning princess, China immediately countered with the arrest of two Canadians in retaliation. Till now, their whereabouts are still unknown and family or lawyer visits have not been allowed. Prime Minister Trudeau said bluntly that he did not regret doing what was necessary. Just like Australia, Canada sympathizes with Hongkongers, and have promised to provide convenience for residency. It boasted to anticipate as many as 300,000 Canadians living in Hong Kong to evacuate.

The empire on which the sun never sets. The United Kingdom, although has retreated to the corner of Europe, too, has made residence commitments to 3 million Hong Kong BNO holders, just like Australia and Canada. Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom, the three English-speaking countries, have fully demonstrated the moral courage embodied in the demeanor of what a great country should have. The Strong Country, however, is displaying the rampant wolf warrior bullying behaviors despised by all. The persistence of evil will only bring about self-destruction. Zhao Lijian, Hua Chunying, and your alpha, watch out!

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