Total diplomacy

In the minds of many diplomats, the quote attributed to a senior British political leader who boasted that the UK does not have a foreign policy, it has interests resonates. Too often, cynicism and hypocrisy mix with the pragmatism that reigns in international relations where values and principles are sidelined in favour of the pursuit of economic and commercial interests. However, in almost all cases, time is that incorruptible judge that gives and takes away reasons and tends to put everyone in their true place.

There are many examples to be taken into account in recent years that place those who have looked the other way or held their noses when doing business with China in a delicate situation. Respect for human rights, political freedom or freedom of expression were forgotten by those who, for example, the leaders of the European Union countries who have always demanded compliance with these democratic principles from those who have joined as members.

Greed for the bottom line drove deindustrialisation in Europe to depend on manufacturing almost everything in China. Now, this low-cost society is suffering the serious consequences of acting for so long without appreciating quality, respect for intellectual property, the conditions of Chinese workers and their age, commissions to opaque intermediaries, the nourishment of a dictatorship such as China's, and so many other issues at odds with principles and values.

The economic crisis, the coronavirus pandemic and the lack of respect for the most elementary rules of international trade have led to a very serious situation of shortages in factories in all sectors. The most affected are the technology and automotive sectors. For four years, the Trump administration has contributed to this intractable selfishness, which does not justify the insatiable moves of Chinese President Xi Jinping, which US President Joe Biden is trying to curb.

In this turbulent world, including the energy crisis, we have witnessed in recent days an exercise in business diplomacy in the visit to Cordoba, Seville and Granada by the ambassador of the United Arab Emirates in Spain, Majid Al-Suwaidi, organised by Acción Exterior de la Junta de Andalucía. Channelling opportunities for Andalusian companies in the Emirates and the possibility of investors for projects in sectors such as new technologies, biomedicine, renewable energies, scientific, health and space research and other sectors was the ambassador's offer, together with cultural collaboration and the promotion of inter-religious dialogue as a key element of understanding and coexistence. Total and real diplomacy.