Editor's note: The Journal of Political Risk recently published a letter by a handful of China hawks in the United States vilifying China's domestic and foreign policies. Zhong Sheng, a columnist for People's Daily, comments:

None of their arguments against China holds water. In the letter, they accuse China of opposing the existing international order, suppressing freedom of speech and religion, strengthening its military muscles and promoting expansionism. However, these accusations are not supported in any way. Even some international figures of insight believe the content of the letter is more like a self-portrait of the US.

People cannot help but ask: Which country is trying to destroy the universally accepted system of rules after World War II for its own selfish interests? Which country is politicizing human rights in international relations, pursuing double standards and frequently interfering in other countries' internal affairs under the pretext of human rights?

Which country is eager to flex its muscles and deliberately worsening the international security environment and promoting regional militarization?

China's international image is not decided by a handful of hawks in the US, but by the broad international society.

Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, Chinese people have embarked on the successful path of socialism with Chinese characteristics. The country adheres to an independent foreign policy of peace, unswervingly follows a peaceful development path and is pursuing a win-win strategy of opening-up. It firmly upholds the basic norms governing international relations and seeks to safeguard international fairness and justice. In a white paper on national defense issued a few days ago, China reiterated it will never pursue hegemony, sincerely and firmly maintain world peace and stability, and actively work to build a community with a shared future for humankind.

Anyone without biased views can see that China is an important force for maintaining world peace and development, and has nothing to do with "bullying and threatening other countries". Unfortunately, in the US today, bombarding China with such smears seems like a way to score political points.

Some Western countries, by virtue of their technological and economic advantages, like to adopt the role of teacher in front of China, and while exporting capital, spare no efforts in trying to also export Western values and systems. It is hoped those China hawks reveling in a sense of illusory superiority and addicted to the role of "savior" will stop playing their tricks against China.