China’s state-run Global Times on Monday boasted that Chinese companies are taking a leading role in the reconstruction of Iraq, making money and spreading Beijing’s influence in a country the United States spent blood and treasure to liberate from the tyranny of Saddam Hussein two decades ago.
“These Chinese companies are involved in a wide range of reconstruction efforts across Iraq, covering different areas including infrastructure development, the upgrading of transportation systems, home and community reconstruction, and the building of new schools,” the Global Times wrote.
Several times during the article, the authors stressed that China views Iraqi reconstruction as “more than just a brick-and-mortar exercise,” but a way to spread China’s political and cultural influence under the rubric of helping Iraqis realize their “hopes and dreams.”
Chinese managers such as Wu Lin of Tianjin International Marine Engineering Co., which is spearheading an Iraqi port project seen as part of China’s Belt and Road infrastructure initiative (BRI), are making an effort to exploit the lingering resentments of Iraqis over the U.S. invasion.
Of course, China’s agents did not bother to tell their new Iraqi friends that under China’s idea of amoral foreign policy, Saddam Hussein and his bestial sons would still be tossing them into torture chambers, while Beijing happily did business with the murderous dictator and his heirs.
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