Don't take on China alone, says ex-Australia PM Kevin Rudd

Re:Don't take on China alone, says ex-Australia PM Kevin Rudd by FooBarWidget on Sunday May 30, 2021 @10:29AM (#27333484)

When responding to criticism against China, people who point out that western countries human rights records are also very problematic, or people who point out that western propaganda is at work, are often accused of whataboutism. The reasoning is that misconduct by western countries doesn't make their criticism against China invalid.

If we accept that, then the reverse should also apply: Misconduct by China doesn't make China's criticism against the US invalid.

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Re:Don't take on China alone, says ex-Australia PM Kevin Rudd by simonh on Sunday May 30, 2021 @10:45AM (#27333596)

Indeed, the blatant subtext of whataboutist arguments is that these things are ok, they're fine, they're normal and justifiable or should be, and here's a reason why.

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Re:Don't take on China alone, says ex-Australia PM Kevin Rudd by emptysongglass on Sunday May 30, 2021 @10:43AM (#27333581)

How would you like me to respond? I have not declared any argument whataboutism. I am only interested in sources from governments which guarantees and exercises a free press.

You cannot write a piece of paper in bad faith and declare it legitimate if you are the only source of legitimacy.

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Re:Don't take on China alone, says ex-Australia PM Kevin Rudd by FooBarWidget on Sunday May 30, 2021 @10:49AM (#27333636)

You could focus on what China actually accused the US of, and whether that accusation has a point, rather than on the fact that the accusation came from China. Where it comes from doesn't matter: only the content matters.

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