Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

Some Western scholars and politicians are still focused on the contrast between "democracy" and "autocracy," in a bid to highlight their superiority.

In response to Austria's vaccine mandate, effective February, Eva Vlaardingerbroek, a Dutch legal philosopher, said in the program broadcast on January 18 that, it "literally is tyranny." In terms of the digital COVID-19 Pass in Europe, which will link the public's personal information such as vaccination status and medical records, Vlaardingerbroek noted, Europe is "literally turning into China."

It once again embodies that vaccination has been highly politicized in the West. It is very unfortunate that a benign and helpful response to the epidemic has been interpreted as an infringement of liberty, as defined by many Western politicians. They should not see studying China's measures as a blow to their self-confidence and disrespect for the Western model.

Furthermore, the recently released 2022 The Edelman Trust Barometer conducted by Edelman, which is one of the largest public relations firms in the world, shows a collapse of trust in democracies. And China saw the biggest gain. The trust in the Chinese government stood at 91 percent, the highest among the 28 countries. But when Reuters reported this news, the article was entitled "Autocracies outdo democracies on public trust - survey."

This reflects the psychological imbalance of Western public opinion elites and political elites when it comes to relations with China. This is the most prominent feature of Western elites. The major reason for their psychological imbalance is the sharp contrast compared to reality, especially in terms of the COVID-19 fight. 

Anyone with a conscience who can observe the world in a normal way can feel that China's dealing with the COVID-19 epidemic is more effective than that of the West. In terms of the COVID-19 fight and resolving social problems, the Chinese system is undoubtedly competent. Its efficiency and people's satisfaction are far higher than the West. This has a strong impact on Western elites who have long been arrogant, believing they are omnipotent, carrying a sense of superiority. Therefore, when they talk about this poll which is favorable toward China, they have a sour grapes mentality.

In their opinion, the West should be a model for all major challenges and serious issues. But now, China is the model, and the West is unwilling to see it.

Influenced by psychological imbalance, these Western elite hold biased opinions on China-related topics. Together with their prejudice in terms of ideology and values, it is difficult for them to not view China from the rigid perspective of "democracy" and "autocracy."

It is the public, not the elite, to decide which is democratic and which is authoritarian. In the view of many Chinese, the West is now democratic but anarchic, while China is democratic and orderly. The West fails to coordinate the relationship between freedom and order, but China has succeeded. It is pathetic and despicable for the Western elite to smear China. They should reflect on themselves first.

The reason that Chinese people have a high level of trust in their government is that the government can address the problems that people are most concerned. Chinese people have been vaccinated for free. In Western societies, vaccines are marketized and many people cannot afford a vaccine. This is also the case for education, healthcare and infrastructure. China has been developing so rapidly and has become a role model, which makes Westerners feel uncomfortable. 

Frankly speaking, the dichotomy between "democracy" and "dictatorship" in the West has increasingly lost its appeal among the people. What they care about is whether the problems that concern their own interests can be solved, such as the COVID-19 epidemic, employment and infrastructure. If none of these problems can be solved, what is the point of talking about "democracy" and "autocracy"?

Rhetoric of "democracy" vs "autocracy" is a tactic of the West. It is a tool of Western countries to shirk responsibility, aimed at fooling the public. Now, more and more people have seen the hypocrisy. This trick is on the verge of bankruptcy.

The article was compiled based on an interview with Li Haidong, professor at the Institute of International Relations of the China Foreign Affairs University. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn