老美把满清旧债又拿出来，逼债8600亿，中国反击让其措手不及

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses a financial confrontation between the U.S. and China, where U.S. politicians demand China repay historical debts from the Qing Dynasty, specifically the Hubei-Guangdong Railway bonds, as leverage against China's $860 billion in U.S. Treasury holdings [1][5]. Group 1: Historical Context - The Hubei-Guangdong Railway bonds were issued in 1911 by the Qing government, borrowing £6 million from four banks (British, American, French, and German) with a 5% annual interest rate and a 40-year term, secured by salt tax and railway revenues [3]. - After the Qing Dynasty's fall and subsequent political turmoil, interest payments ceased in 1938, and by 1951, the bonds became a historical issue, with U.S. speculators attempting to revive claims in the 1970s [3][5]. Group 2: Current Financial Implications - By 2025, U.S. national debt is projected to exceed $36 trillion, with annual interest payments reaching $475 billion, prompting U.S. politicians to seek historical debts as a means to alleviate domestic financial pressures [5][9]. - China has reduced its holdings of U.S. Treasury bonds from $1.3 trillion in 2013 to $759 billion, which has raised concerns in the U.S. financial sector [5]. Group 3: Legal and Economic Responses - China has countered the U.S. claims by citing international law, specifically the Vienna Convention's Article 34, which states that debts from colonial treaties should not be inherited, and referencing UN documents that declare such debts void after 15 years [7]. - China's economic strategies include increasing gold reserves to 2,192 tons and promoting the use of the renminbi in international trade, with plans for 60% of trade with ASEAN to be settled in renminbi by 2025 [7][11]. Group 4: Global Financial Dynamics - The U.S. approach is seen as hypocritical, as it has previously disregarded its own debts, such as those from the Confederate States and post-Iraq war scenarios, while attempting to enforce historical debts on China [9]. - The push for historical debt repayment may accelerate the trend towards de-dollarization, with countries like Russia and Saudi Arabia opting for renminbi in oil transactions, contributing to a decline in the dollar's share of global foreign exchange reserves to 59%, the lowest in 25 years [9][11]. Group 5: Broader Implications - The situation represents a clash between historical debts and modern international rules, questioning the legitimacy of reviving colonial-era debts while highlighting the need for a fairer global financial order [11]. - China's strategy of reducing U.S. bond holdings and increasing gold reserves, alongside promoting the renminbi, is not only about protecting its interests but also about pushing for a more equitable global financial system [11].