We have our own saying, similar to the Chinese proverb quoted by Xi (“He who tied the bell to the tiger must take it off.”). “The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.” (Ecc 7: 8). In my interpretation, I thought it a very classy way to respond to Biden.
The symbolism of Russia as a tiger (aggressive, dangerous) is recognized by Xi, but we (the west) have put the bell on it. The way I look at it, Xi is saying we have to figure out how to take the bell off. Xi will protect China’s interests, which does not include helping Russia at the moment, but if things change and it is to their advantage to work with the tiger (feed it, trap it, or kill it) then they will and we know they are capable of doing that.
Any threat by the U.S. or the west in this matter is not relevant to this end. If the west takes the bell off the tiger (removes teeth, replaces regime, ends conflict) then China will work with the west. If not, then China will work with Russia. We would do the same.
It is not China’s fight and they do not want to be involved right now. We must calm the tiger.
Marilyn Marshall, Magna
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