The ostensibly trivial expression “mutual respect” actually modulates China’s true desire: a return to the Westphalian principle of non-interference in states’ domestic affairs, particularly their human-rights records. China has staunchly opposed Western efforts, whether in Syria or in North Korea, to circumvent this principle with doctrines like the “Responsibility to Protect.”
表面上看似微不足道的“相互尊重”实际上表达了中国的真实愿望：回到不干涉它国内政的威斯特伐利亚原则，尤其是人权记录方面。中国坚决反对西方无论是在叙利亚还是朝鲜所做的努力，以“保护责任”这类信条来规避这一原则。