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| China: Pretender or Contender? |
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The changes China has undergone in the 20th century have seen its transition from nationalistic hereditary rule, to Communism and now to a nation that is free market in all but name. Underlying these changes is not a transformation of specific beliefs, but rather a basic precept, which states that China is the dominant power in the region and will not allow any challengers. This is typified in the statement of Deng Xao Ping when he justified the process of capitalist reforms on the Chinese mainland stating, "Black Cat, White Cat you skin the cat,"
17 implying the use of any means necessary to achieve his aims.
It is true that the Chinese are determined to exert their influence over their region, but where this differs from a country like the US is that they do not possess a vision and an understanding that their culture and way of life should be the reference point for the whole world.
Understanding this, the question may be asked as to why the Chinese are vying to outmanoeuvre the US if they have no intention of becoming the leading nation in the world? The answer is that the main obstacle for Chinese domination of its region is a country that is not even a resident of the neighbourhood. The United States is seated as the present incumbent and has considerable projection of its power through its military bases on the Indian Ocean island of Diego Garcia, its bases in the Philippines, South Korea and Okinawa and its influence over nations such as Japan and India.
At once China has presented America with a distinct problem and offered the rest of the world an opportunity of choice. The queue of suitors for its internal markets is large, while a great number of countries hope to satisfy her demand for raw materials. The multitude of responses to Chinese assertiveness has shown that, among western observers, there is a distinct lack of cohesiveness and clarity on how to deal with Beijing.
The articles, essays and publications that debated whether China could attain superpower status have been superseded by discussion of what type of superpower China will be. The extraordinary rise of China has presented to the world an interesting and potentially productive situation. Where previously the planet had been immersed in a dull unipolarity and a universal acceptance of Washington's wishes, there now seems to be a new dynamic at play. Suddenly the world could go from possessing no alternative to one where a so-called "China model" is on offer with perhaps an Islamic political alternative on the near horizon. This new multipolar dynamic offers the world a choice. A manifestation of this is already on the cards, with Iran stating that it is eager to pursue the "China Model" when dealing with its stagnant economy.
7 Meaning that it desires to undertake economic liberalisation yet continue to control the political medium without a need for democratic liberalisation of that medium.
The rise of China has made international politics more interesting. Only a few years ago, the talk was of an American hyperpower, unchallenged and unsurpassed in human history. Now there is the rise of a genuine contender. An adept contender at that, not an over ambitious and zealous one, but a patient and astute one. American hegemony is suddenly under scrutiny and being asked difficult questions about its leadership, especially in Asia. Although the centre of gravity is still Washington, the manifestations of its power and attractiveness as the bastion of progress are now firmly under examination. Asia in particular has found a genuine alternative to Washington.
Reference
1. Munro, R. H and Bernstein, R. (1998). The Coming Conflict with China. Vintage Books.
2. Tzu, S. (2003). The Art of War. London: Penguin Books Ltd.
3. Huntingdon, S. P (2002). The Clash of Civilisations And the Remaking of the World Order. Free Press.
4. Anthony Lake address in Los Angeles to the Asia Institute February 2005
5. The CIA World FactBook. http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/ch.html#Econ. [Accessed 12th April 2005].
6. Hale, D and Hale. L. H (December 2003). Booming Economy. Foreign Affairs.
7. Molavi , A. (November 2004). Buying Time in Tehran - Iran and the China Model. Foreign Affairs.
8. Liu , M. Divide and Conquer. Newsweek. 7th March 2005
9. Fiegenbaum , E (2003). China's Techno Warriors. Stanford University Press
10. Scobell , A (2003). China's use of Military Force. Cambridge University Press.
11. Diagnosing the World Oil Market. http://www.bjreview.com.cn/200450/Cover-200450(A).htm. [Accessed 12th April 2005]
12. Medeiros , E and Fravel, M. T. (December 2003) .China takes off - Confident Diplomacy. Foreign Affairs.
13. Matthews, E. A. (November/December 2003) Japan's New Nationalism. Foreign Affairs
14. Maritime Power in Peace and War - an Indian View1 by Vice Admiral Kailash Kumab Kohli Chief of Personnel, Indian Navy
15. Liu , M. The Merchant Marine. Newsweek. 28th March 2005
16. New York Times. 29th February 2004
17. "The Tiananmen Papers". Public Affairs. January 2001
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