Washington making mockery of democracy: China Daily editorial

Arguments can always be found to turn desire into policy. For politicians in Washington, when it comes to foreign policy, the arguments generally boil down to the trigger word "democracy".

Democracy is a word whose meaning has been distorted and tarnished by the United States. Although the US tosses the word around like confetti, it uses the term most frequently as a pretext to interfere in the internal affairs of other countries.

The true meaning of the word is immaterial for politicians in Washington, who believe that it only makes sense when employed to push the country's international agenda.

Given what the US has done all over the world in the name of democracy, it has made a mockery of its claim to champion that cause.

Of the 258 military conflicts in 153 regions and countries since the end of World War II until 2001, 201 were launched by the US. Its invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 and its occupation of the country for 20 years plunged that country into an abyss of misery and poverty. Its invasion of Iraq in the name of fighting terrorism and spreading democracy resulted in chaos in the country and the rise of the Islamic State terrorist group.

Its interference in the internal affairs of other countries in various forms under the banner of democracy has led to only armed conflict or political chaos.

The US claims these actions are to promote democracy, but none of them have promoted the development of democracy in any country. Instead, they have been the habitual saboteur of peace and stability around the world.

Now the Joe Biden administration has freshened up this dog and pony show by convening a virtual meeting later this month in the name of democracy.

By inviting countries or political entities it likes and excluding those it dislikes from the virtual Summit for Democracy the US president will host on Dec 9-10, the US administration is drawing an ideological line as it did during the Cold War.

It is not difficult to see the trick the US is playing, and many countries have expressed their dismay at what the US is trying to do.

The globalized world with peace and development as the mainstay makes this meeting an anachronism.

Convening such a gathering to consolidate its hegemonic position simply reinforces the fact that the US is not qualified to be the champion of democracy.