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With the growth of its power, China’s overseas interests are rapidly expanding. Along with this, in addition to the extreme containment and suppression by Western countries, there are also various ‘stigmatizing’ hype such as ‘neo-colonialism’, ‘debt trap’, ‘China threat theory’ etc.. This highlights the sharp cognitive opposition between China and Western countries in expanding overseas interests.

Expansion methods

Win-win cooperation vs zero-sum game

The concept of win-win cooperation proposed by China emphasizes achieving complementary resources and shared advantages through close cooperation with host countries, thereby fostering mutual benefit and ultimately leading to common development and maximized interests. The ‘Belt and Road Initiative’, put forward by China in 2013 and based on the concept of win-win cooperation, has achieved numerous results, covering policy communication, facility construction, trade cooperation, investment growth, and project construction etc., injecting new momentum into global economic growth. China’s pursuit of a win-win development path in expanding its overseas interests is the right path for the world.

Driven by zero-sum game mentality, in international politics, Western countries focus on safeguarding their own interests, viewing China’s expansion of overseas interests as a threat to their own interests, and fearing that China’s strength could undermine their power and status in host countries. The zero-sum game mentality espoused by Western countries is detrimental to others and not beneficial to themselves, often leading to tension and conflict in international relations.

Expansion approach

Peaceful development vs ‘Thucydides Trap’

The term ‘Thucydides Trap’ is used metaphorically to describe the competitive situation among major powers in contemporary international relations. Specifically, when an emerging power rises and attempts to play a greater role on the international stage, it often clashes with existing powers in terms of resources, markets, influence, or geopolitical advantages. This situation of mutual confrontation and threat may ultimately lead to the outbreak of war. Based on the cognitive logic of Thucydides Trap, Western countries often pursue containment and suppression strategies towards the friendly cooperation between China and host countries in areas such as economy, military, and technology.

However, ‘Thucydides Trap’ is not an iron law, and war does not necessarily break out between major powers. China’s concept of peaceful development reflects the common pursuit of peace and development by countries around the world, offering the possibility to avoid the ‘Thucydides Trap’. Based on the concept of peaceful development, China has always been committed to becoming a builder of political peace, a contributor to economic development, and a maintainer of social order for host countries in the expansion of its overseas interests.

Expansion path

Co-consultation, co-construction, and sharing vs colonial plunder

The expansion of overseas interests by Western countries employs the bloody and brutal method of colonial plunder. Specifically, Western countries maintain their colonial rule through violent occupation of land and signing unequal treaties. By occupying, enslaving, and exploiting weak countries, they gain financial and trade privileges, as well as plunder natural, human, and strategic resources. They expand their sphere of influence and balance competitors through colonial expansion in order to ensure their own security and national interests. They regard themselves as disseminators of civilization, attempting to establish a kind of social structure and cultural identity in colonies that is similar to that of their homeland.

Guided by the principles of co-consultation, co-construction, and sharing, China promotes joint consultation with host countries in the expansion of overseas interests. This ensures that host countries have an equal voice and participation rights, enabling political disputes and economic conflicts to be resolved through consultations. Cooperative projects are jointly undertaken by both parties, with the results shared to foster mutual development and prosperity. Furthermore, it aims to involve citizens of host countries as participants, contributors, and beneficiaries of these projects, particularly ensuring that local residents also reap the benefits, thereby creating a conducive and friendly environment for the expansion of China’s overseas interests.

Expansion goal

Community with a shared future for mankind vs hegemony and power politics

Based on the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, China is dedicated to promoting high-quality development in host countries during the expansion of its overseas interests, implementing global development initiatives, global security initiatives, and global civilization initiatives in these countries. China is proactively addressing various complex social issues, and encouraging more citizens of host countries to participate in Chinese projects and share dividends, thereby contributing Chinese wisdom and solutions to the economic and social development of host countries and demonstrating its responsibility as a major power. The concept proposed by China has garnered support and endorsement from the majority of countries worldwide, particularly those from the ‘Global South’.

The hegemonic behavior of Western countries manifests as gross interference in the internal affairs of other countries, manipulation of international affairs, and expansion of spheres of influence through military means. The core idea of power politics is that ‘power is truth’, referring to the policies and activities of Western powers that bully the weak, arbitrarily dominate other countries’ people, interfere in other countries’ internal affairs for their own interests, and infringe on other countries’ interests. Based on the logic of hegemonism and power politics, Western countries have seriously damaged international peace and stability, the well-being of people all over the world, and the common interests of all mankind through various perverse acts in the world.

Conclusion

In response to the cognitive opposition between China and western countries in expanding overseas interests, China should uphold the concept of peaceful development and win-win cooperation, and strive to build a community with a shared future for mankind. At the same time, in countries where China’s overseas interests are expanding, China should take practical actions of extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits to practice its own propositions and demonstrate international fairness and justice.

The author is  Dean of China’s Overseas Interest Studies Institute at Yangtze Normal University

The Trump administration is considering issuing sweeping travel restrictions for the citizens of dozens of countries as part of a new ban, according to sources familiar with the matter and an internal memo seen by Reuters.

The memo lists a total of 41 countries divided into three separate groups. The first group of 10 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Syria, Cuba and North Korea among others, would be set for a full visa suspension.

In the second group, five countries, including Eritrea, Haiti, Laos, Myanmar, and South Sudan, would face partial suspensions that would impact tourist and student visas as well as other immigrant visas, with some exceptions.

In the third group, a total of 26 countries, including Pakistan, Bhutan and Myanmar, would be considered for a partial suspension of US visa issuance if their governments "do not make efforts to address deficiencies within 60 days", the memo said.

A US official speaking on the condition of anonymity cautioned there could be changes on the list and that it was yet to be approved by the administration, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The New York Times first reported on the list of countries.

The move harkens back to President Donald Trump's first-term ban on travelers from seven majority-Muslim nations, a policy that went through several iterations before it was upheld by the Supreme Court in 2018.

Trump issued an executive order on January 20 requiring intensified security vetting of any foreigners seeking admission to the US to detect national security threats.

That order directed several cabinet members to submit by March 21 a list of countries from which travel should be partly or fully suspended because their "vetting and screening information is so deficient."

Trump's directive is part of an immigration crackdown that he launched at the start of his second term.

He previewed his plan in an October 2023 speech, pledging to restrict people from the Gaza Strip, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and "anywhere else that threatens our security."

The last time most of us read poems was probably in school. We never picked up a book of poems, never having developed a taste for the elaborate language that the form of literature seems to deploy. Fair to say, we are a little intimidated by poetry, relegating it to the preferences of philosophers, students of literature, and poets themselves. 

But a few years ago, a friend forced me to read some poems she loved. I have to admit that they didn’t make much sense to me despite her coaxing me not to think too much and just let the words wash over me. It wasn’t likely that I would pick up a book of poems in the future but my friend kept insisting I was missing out and that poems could offer wisdom and insight in a way that stays with you. Seeing she felt so passionately about it, I thought I’d give it one last try and bought a book of poems called ‘Greatest Poetry Ever Written’.

Some of the poems in the book were ones I had read in school and college. They reminded me of a simpler, happier time and I read all the poems in the book, charmed by their nostalgic quality. I especially loved the poem ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling. I could even recite it from memory after a while, having read it over and over again. After this though I didn’t have much luck with poetry again and struggled to find meaning in them. 

But the good thing was I kept trying, reading them online or buying books that caught my fancy. I liked the fact that a book of poems with me meant I could dip in and out whenever I wanted without having to commit too much time, especially when I felt ambushed by work and deadlines. This was when I discovered contemporary poets like Nikita Gill and Rupi Kaur whose words resonated with me and I didn’t have to struggle to decipher the hidden meaning behind them. That being said, I’ve also come to realize that not every poem is meant for you and like my friend once told me you just have to let the words wash over you and take your time with them. 

But it would be a grave injustice if you were to sideline this important form of literature as it can be extremely comforting and make you able to look at things from a wide range of emotional perspectives. Here are some books of poems that are great starter kits if you are just getting into the genre.

Burning Roses in My Garden by Taslima Nasrin

Taslima Nasrin is a Bangladeshi writer who is famous for the book ‘Lajja’ (Shame) that describes how a Hindu family in Bangladesh is hounded by their Muslim neighbors. A fatwa was passed against her after its publication and she went into exile as well. ‘Burning Roses in My Garden’ might be her lesser known work but it is no less important. It’s an intimate collection of personal longings and political commentary and gets into the heart of what it is like being an outsider when you are in exile. The themes are mostly longing, loneliness, and sorrow.

She Must Be Mad by Charly Cox

Charly Cox is a British poet and writer whose book ‘She Must Be Mad’ is a collection of short prose and poetry that explores what it is like for a young woman to grow up in today’s society. The format of the book is unlike any other you might have read and that keeps things refreshing. Divided into four sections and exploring a variety of themes like relationships, depression, and self-image among others, She Must Be Mad will take you on a rollercoaster journey of emotions. The tone is simple and lighthearted but the themes give it the gravitas it needs to be a thought provoking read. 

Yesterday I was the Moon by Noor Unnahar

A fun thing about this book is its unique size and layout, complete with illustrations that go with the words on the page. I was enamored by the writing which is simple but hard hitting. ‘Yesterday I was the Moon’ explores courage, self-love, and cultural acceptance. There are also themes of love and loss and the cathartic nature of art. The Pakistani poet’s voice is unique and her poems get better in the second half of the book as she gains confidence with her words. Though meant for a young-audience, I think people of all ages will be able to relate to the poems as the themes are universal. 

The Girl and the Goddess by Nikita Gill

‘Fierce Fairytales’ by Nikita Gill is one of my all time favorite books. It’s a modern take on traditional fairy tales. Gill has many books to her credit but I’d recommend you start with ‘The Girl and the Goddess’ to get a taste and feel of her style of work first. Like Charly Cox’s book, this too has a mix of poetry and prose and is thus really easy to get into. Exploring Hindu mythology and legend, The Girl and the Goddess tells the story of Paro, a girl born into a family that is still dealing with the pain of the partition in India. It’s a very evocative and stirring work that is likely to stay with you long after you’ve finished the book.

A Thousand Mornings by Mary Oliver

This slim book of poetry is a must read, though slightly more complicated than the rest of the books on this list. In ‘A Thousand Mornings’ Oliver takes us to the marshland and coastline of her home in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Here, while looking at the leaves of trees or mourning the passing of her treasured dog, she imparts valuable life lessons with unmatched clarity and humor. The mundane daily occurrences come alive in her poems and the book reminds us of how glorious life can be if we just started paying a little more attention to the small things around us.

A federal judge has blocked President Donald Trump from using a 227-year-old law meant to protect the US during wartime to carry out mass deportations of Venezuelans, BBC reported.

Trump on Saturday proclaimed immigrants belonging to the Venezuelan crime gang Tren de Aragua were "conducting irregular warfare" against the US and that he would deport them under the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.

But US District Judge James Boasberg on Saturday evening ordered a halt to deportations covered by the proclamation that will last for 14 days, according to media reports.

Judge Boasberg told a hearing he had heard planes with deportees were taking off and ordered them turned back, the Washington Post reported.

The law allows the US during wartime to detain and remove people threatening the country's safety without having to follow due process. It was last invoked to intern people of Japanese descent during World War Two.

There was little surprise to the proclamation on Saturday, where Trump declared Tren de Aragua was "perpetrating, attempting, and threatening an invasion or predatory incursion against the territory of the United States".

He had promised to use the controversial law for mass deportations during last year's campaign.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other rights group had already sued to block him from using it on Saturday before he issued the proclamation, as well, according to BBC.

At a hearing, the judge said the terms "invasion" and "predatory incursion" in the law "really relate to hostile acts perpetrated by enemy nations," and the law probably did not offer a good basis for Trump's proclamation, according to the New York Times.

An ACLU lawyer had told the New York Times he believed there were two planes of Venezuelan immigrants in the air on Sunday. The BBC has not verified that report.

The case will now move through the legal system and could go all the way to the Supreme Court.

The proclamation, and the fight around it, should rally Trump's supporters, who largely returned him to the White House on his pledges to crack down on illegal immigration and bring down prices of everyday goods. Since he was inaugurated in January, he has swiftly worked to overhaul the US immigration system.

Rights groups, along with some legal experts, are calling the invocation unprecedented, noting the Alien Enemies Act has been used in the past after the US officially declared war against other countries. Under the constitution, only Congress can declare war.

All Venezuelan citizens in the US who are at least 14 years old, members of Tren de Aragua and "are not actually naturalized or lawful permanent residents" were to be "apprehended, restrained, secured, and removed as Alien Enemies", under Trump's order.

Trump did not lay out in the proclamation how US officials would determine that a person is a member of the violent, transnational gang.

By using this law, instead of immigration laws that already give him "ample authority" to deport the gang's members, Trump would not have to prove that detainees are part of Tren de Aragua, said Katherine Yon Ebright, counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice in a statement.

"He wants to bypass any need to provide evidence or to convince a judge that someone is actually a gang member before deporting them," she said, BBC reported.

"The only reason to invoke such a power is to try to enable sweeping detentions and deportations of Venezuelans based on their ancestry, not on any gang activity that could be proved in immigration proceedings."