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An Interview with Beka Natsvlishvili for “Rezonansi” Newspaper: Georgia’s Strategic Perspectives on China’s Global Ascendance
China’s celebration of the end of the Second World War, marked by a massive military parade as its key event, resonated deeply across the globe. The President of the United States, who considers Beijing a primary geostatistical competitor, stated: “I understand the reason why they held it. They hoped I was watching, and indeed, I saw it.” (However, he simultaneously expressed concern that the Chinese leader, Xi Jinping, failed to mention the American contribution to the victory over Japan).
“We are currently observing a transition from a unipolar to a bipolar world order, a process that Georgia must adapt to, as these shifts will define the dynamics of the country’s development in the near future,” states the former Member of Parliament and Director of the “Centre for China and Southeast Asia Studies” in his interview with Rezonansi.
“We have long been studying the economic development models of China and Southeast Asia. Incorporating these models is vital for Georgia’s advancement, both in terms of technological development and investment policy. Furthermore, our organisation aims to better introduce China and its policies to the Georgian public, as knowledge about China in Georgia is currently saturated with disinformation and stereotypes,” Natsvlishvili declares.
Rezonansi spoke with Beka Natsvlishvili regarding why China marks the end of the war in September, why the Georgian delegation did not attend the event, and the prospects of relations with Beijing.
“Rezonansi”: On Wednesday, China celebrated the 80th anniversary of the victory over Japanese aggression and the end of World War II with a grand event. What is the significance of this date for China, and why is the end of World War II celebrated on September 3rd?
Beka Natsvlishvili: We celebrate the end of World War II on May 9th. There are several reasons for this. Although the Soviet Union made a significant contribution to the defeat of Japan in 1945, its primary theater of operations was Europe. It was Germany that attacked the Soviet Union, and it remained the principal adversary. Therefore, countries involved in the European theater link the conclusion of World War II specifically to the German capitulation.
It is also noteworthy that at the Tehran Conference in 1943, the Soviet Union decided to enter the war against Japan following Germany’s defeat, officially declaring war on Japan on August 8, 1945. Consequently, the fact that the Second World War ended in September 1945 remains less known to post-Soviet and European societies.
For China, however, Japan was the primary aggressor in World War II. Unfortunately, our society knows very little about China’s role in ending the war and the immense sacrifices China made to restrain Japan.
The date of September 3rd is itself interesting. As you know, Japan signed the instrument of surrender on September 2nd, but China celebrates the defeat of Japan and the end of World War II on September 3rd. This is a deliberate decision, as for China, this date symbolizes not only the defeat of Japan but the establishment of peace in Asia. Incidentally, it is also unknown to many that a Georgian battalion fought alongside Chinese soldiers against Japan.
“R”: Despite the strategic partnership between Georgia and China, why was the Georgian delegation not invited to the September 3rd event, unlike our neighbors, Armenia and Azerbaijan?
B.N.: I believe that against the backdrop of the dramatic global processes currently unfolding—the transition from a unipolar world order dominated by the United States to a multipolar world order—the foreign policy of the Georgian government is still in a process of reorientation. Therefore, despite the strategic partnership, the Georgian government did not send clear signals to China. Furthermore, and equally importantly, the Chinese government may have shielded the Georgian government from participating in an event alongside the Russian delegation, which is diplomatically prudent.
“R”: You mentioned the changing world order. How important is the deepening of relations between Georgia and China in this context?
B.N.: Today, China is one of the most powerful, if not the most powerful, players in world politics. In terms of Gross Domestic Product (considering its purchasing power parity), it has surpassed the United States. Moreover, the military parade on September 3rd clearly demonstrated that it is a leading nation not only economically but also in terms of military technology.
When assessing a country’s power, several factors are critical: economy, military strength, population size, and attractiveness—so-called “soft power.” Considering these components, it can be said that China is the world’s strongest state today. In terms of technology, China is also a leading nation.
Furthermore, its foreign policy, which is based not on military intervention but on peaceful economic diplomacy, further increases its global appeal and influence.
It is worth noting that 17 EU member states have signed various forms of strategic partnerships with the People’s Republic of China. Therefore, deepening relations with China is of vital importance for Georgia from both a security and economic perspective. All utilized or unutilized opportunities resulting from the relationship between these two countries will depend on the national government. With the implementation of correct policies by the Georgian government, China can contribute significantly not only to the country’s economic development but also to ensuring Georgia’s security.
“R”: You and your colleagues founded the “Center for China and Southeast Asia Studies.” What is the primary objective of your organization’s activities?
B.N.: We have been studying the economic development models of China and Southeast Asia for a long time. Taking these models into account is vital for Georgia’s development, both in terms of technological advancement and investment policy. Additionally, the goal of the organization is to better introduce China and its policies to Georgian society, as knowledge of China in Georgia is saturated with disinformation and stereotypes. There exists either unfounded skepticism or exaggerated enthusiasm. Therefore, our goal is to present the perspective of relations between China and Georgia to the broader public in a rational light through various public and academic activities.