President Biden's Summit for Democracy began as China spent the week trying to convince observers that it is a democracy too.
"The U.S.'s political manipulation in the name of democracy will only be met with wide opposition in the international community," he said.
The president has framed the coming decades of international relations as a struggle between democracy and autocracy. Autocrats, he told Thursday's virtual audience, seek to"export and expand" their influence around the global and"justify repressive policies and practices as a more efficient way to address today's challenges."
Neither Russia nor China were invited to the democracy summit. Moscow has been critical of the initiative, which raised eyebrows for including countries not traditionally associated with effective democratic governance, while also omitting American partners. However, it's Beijing's reactions that have been the most eye-catching in the lead-up to the event.
Last week, the State Council Information Office—China's cabinet-level propaganda department—released a 50-page white paper rebutting Biden's summit and Western liberal democracy in general.The report titled"China: Democracy That Works" was accompanied by state television programs, newspaper columns and online videos that championed a Chinese-style democracy said to be not only more effective, but also fairer.
Beijing spent the week extolling the virtues of"whole-process people's democracy," in an information campaign that appeared to convince few about the ChineseDozens of virtual sessions planned throughout Thursday and Friday will feature talks with hundreds of government leaders, civil society members and business representatives. A pre-summit event called"day zero," hosted by Secretary Blinken, took place on Wednesday.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
'Democracy needs champions:' Biden kicks off first 'Summit for Democracy' at White House'In the face of sustained and alarming challenges to democracy, universal human rights, and all around the world, democracy needs champions,' President Biden said as he kicked off the virtual 'Summit for Democracy'
Read more »
President Joe Biden to Pay Tribute to Bob Dole at CapitolThe president is expected to offer remarks at the morning ceremony with invited guests and congressional leaders in the Capitol Rotunda for the former Republican senator and presidential contender.
Read more »
LIVE: President Biden delivers remarks on bipartisan infrastructure law in Missouri — 12/8/21President Joe Biden travels to Kansas City, Missouri Wednesday. Biden delivers remarks on how the bipartisan infrastructure law will help Missourians by rebu...
Read more »
Biden, under pressure on China, seeks to send a signal with Olympics diplomatic boycottPresident Biden's effort is still being criticized as a half-measure, from both sides of the partisan divide, illustrating the challenge he faces at home as he tries to calibrate effective responses to China's rise as a global power.
Read more »
Biden team weighs unprecedented sanctions against Russia over UkraineThe Biden administration is weighing sweeping sanctions against Russia if it invades Ukraine that could cripple Russia’s access to bond markets, throttle major commercial banks and target powerful oligarchs.
Read more »
Biden, NATO warned to concede nothing, act against Russia before it invades UkraineTwo former ambassadors in Ukraine and the U.S. urged President Joe Biden and NATO not to reward Russia's President Vladimir Putin for his attempted blackmail.
Read more »