But experts say Xi is overseeing a retrenchment of authoritarian foreign policy in a bid to challenge the global dominance of Western liberal democratic order. Nor has any charge been laid against Kovrig or Spavor, Burton added, meaning no legal defence can be mounted on either man’s behalf. Like every nation state, China maintains a national myth to legitimize and underpin the priorities and perspectives of the state, French said. When international rules work for China’s longer or short-term goals, they are framed by China as legitimate, he argued. “I think (China’s political detention of Canadians) is reflective of their overall trend to assert that their system is suited to Chinese history and culture and has the same moral authority as the democratic system,” he said.

Source: thestar January 01, 2019 02:54 UTC