ISLAMABAD: Chinese Ambassador to Pakistan Jiang Zaid­o­ng on Monday said “militarism and the rule of mi­ght” are not viable paths to peace, calling for a rejection of unilateralism and zero-sum approaches in global affairs.

Speaking at a symposium held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the ‘Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japan­ese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War’, Amb Jiang emphasised the need to uphold the post-World War II international order amid rising geopolitical tensions.

“Eighty years on, the world is still far from tranquil,” Jiang said. “Unila­t­e­ralism, protectionism, and hegemonism are running rampant; deficits in peace, development, security, and governance are growing.”

He criticised countries that “openly distort the his­tory of WWII, deny Chi­na’s historical contribution, challenge the One-China principle, and und­ermine international rule of law.”

Amb Jiang also condemned actions that “generalise the concept of national security, provoke trade wars and technology wars, and disrupt the global economic order”.

The ambassador’s rema­rks come against a backdrop of escalating global tensions. In recent years, US-China relations have deteriorated over trade dis­­putes, technology res­t­rictions, and differing views on Taiwan.

The US and its allies have imposed sanctions on Chinese firms, citing nati­onal security concerns, while China has accused Western countries of suppressing its development.

Meanwhile, Russia’s on­­going conflict in Ukraine and rising militarisation in the Indo-Pacific have further strained the post-WWII framework, with Nato and other alliances.

Published in Dawn, August 12th, 2025