If you don't have power to back up your words, you have no sovereignty. The reason the Qing dynasty sounded so stupid towards the end isn't because they said they had all these rights. Its because they said it despite having no power to do so. Im actually amazed how guys Li Hongzhang were still able to get a good deal despite the Qing being a complete joke. Thats how strong Chinese diplomacy can get although it can only go so far.This UN talk is ridiculous. If you are weak, your destiny is to serve the powerful.
If you want to change your destiny, you better roll up your sleeves and work hard to grow powerful instead of talking crap about UN restricting powerful countries lol
When people talk about how "might is right" is a bad thing, I wonder are they being disingenuous in an attempt to gaslight us so we lose our might.
Imagine tomorrow some aliens give China some laser beam technology that turns all of the US navy boats, aircraft and even nukes worthless. In contrast the US has nothing to counter China with. All this democracy, human rights, freedom ideals etc collapses overnight coz it turns out the west without sufficient force is nothing. They want to take our assets or use some legal treaty? We just walk in and tear it up and they can't do a thing.


