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by Xinhua Writer Luo Jun
BEIJING, Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- Given China's dramatic development, huge population and unique culture, it is understandable for some countries to have concerns over China's role and impact on the world.
However, such concerns, if brewed in fear and bias, could transform into a toxic mind-set of China-phobia and blockade win-win cooperation.
The Australian government on Thursday rejected China's State Grid Corp.'s bidding for its largest electricity network, citing "national security" concerns.
The recent delay of a China-invested nuclear power station in Britain also triggered media speculation that it was also due to "national security" reason.
To suggest that China would try to kidnap the countries' electricity network for ulterior motive is absurd and almost comical, since it is widely recognized in the world that business reputation is critical to any corporate activity.
It's also ridiculous to suggest that Chinese enterprises would risk their credit and commit suicide on the world stage by threatening to deny the Australian and British public electricity.
Besides, the huge amount of investment itself -- around 7.8 billion U.S. dollars in the Hinkley Point C nuclear power station in England -- would be an valuable asset China would not want to lose.
Chinese investment should not become the source of worries about China gaining some kind of advantage, but should be taken as the country's promise in cooperation with other countries.
It will not be an zero-sum game for China and Australia, or China and Britain in such deals, as they bound their interests together for either mutual benefit or common loss.
The fragile situation of global economic recovery demands closer international cooperation both on the technology front and the infrastructure front to stimulate growth.
However, the paranoia over Chinese investment is becoming a real problem that goes against such efforts.
Behind the hurdles lies the dangerous mind-set of China-phobia that needs to be addressed through open and sincere communication, as well as a fair and objective perspective.
