‘Arrogance is in everything I do. It is in my gestures, the harshness of my voice, in the glow of my gaze, in my sinewy, tormented face.’[1]
Coco Chanel
Freedom and Rise of China
It is crucial to understand the relevance of how a country like China rose and became a star. Before the preliminaries of economic reformations and trade liberalization nearly 40 years ago, China managed policies that cached the economy very weak, dormant, centrally regulated, tremendously unproductive, and comparatively remote from the global economy. After the inauguration the foreign trade and investment and executing free-market reforms in 1979, China became the world’s rapid-growing economies. It delivered annual GDP growth equating 9.5% in 2018, a speed defined by the World Bank as the fastest maintained augmentation by a major economy in the account.
Such growth has allowed China, on average, to increase its GDP twice every eight years and served to raise an approximated 800 million people out of hardship. It became the world’s biggest economy on a purchasing power equivalence basis, manufacturer, merchandise trader, and owner of foreign exchange reserves. This move of China made it the USA most influential commercial partner. The largest United States merchandise negotiating partner is China, the most vital source of imports, and the 3rd largest United States export market. It is also the highest foreign holder of US Treasury securities.[2]
The global rare earths trade is comparatively inadequate matched to other products. In 2019, China’s imports stood at $1.15 billion, which is a portion of the more than $1 trillion in global crude oil imports.[3] However, the entire value of goods generated using rare earths is enormous. Companies use europium in merest substances to generate red colors on screens, and use cerium, throughout the manufacturing process, to brighten the phones. Corporate giants like Apple, during the 2019 fiscal year, sold $142.4 billion worth of iPhones.[4]
All against China? Policies, counteractions and assumptions
In recent years, China extended its diplomatic and economic relationships. Xi Jinping inaugurated one of the modern institutions of Asia – The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. China also established itself as a contributor to public goods through policies like the enormous amounts of infrastructure investment through the Road and Belt Initiative. As its impact has evolved, so have the number of countries concerned with its lack of economic reciprocity, dominant technological policies, coercive foreign policy practices, and regional military ambitions.[5]
The White House published a report and argued that the increase in the power of China cripples vital American interests and threatens the autonomy and dignity of countries and individuals across the globe.[6] The EU designated China as a systemic rival and economic competitor. It reflected a hardening attitude towards Beijing across Europe.[7] The EU, in Jan 2020, unveiled a recommended strategy for its member states. This strategy devised to prevent Beijing exploit security vulnerabilities and dominate 5G markets.[8] Estonia, Czech Republic, Poland, Latvia, and Romania, due to safety concerns, signed agreements on 5G security with the United States. This signed agreement would restrict the role of Huawei in their markets.[9] Even the United Kingdom is in the mood to pass legislation that would compel Huawei to play no role in the country’s 5G spectrum by 2023.[10]
Britain proposed forming a D10 order of democratic partners, which would include India, South Korea, and Australia, and G7 countries. The G7 countries include Japan, Canada, Germany, France, Italy, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The motive of such an order is to reduce reliance on Huawei’s 5G equipment and technology and build a portfolio of other suppliers, and to look alternatives against its advanced and cheap technology.[11] Australia did it and became the first country to put such a ban. Thorugh this ban, it prevented Huawei from introducing 5G networks. The reasons are obvious – Security concerns![12] Continuing this development in Asia, Vietnam, in ten years, issued its first defense white paper. In this, it denied Beijing’s claims and criticized its naval tactics. It also cited its actions as unilateral and coercive action, international law breach, militarization, change in the existing state of affairs, and invasion in its sovereignty and rights, and jurisdiction as in international law.[13]
Other claimants are mounting up their militaries and strengthening outposts that would support propel back against Chinese expansion. These claimants also include the Philippines and Malaysia.[14] In 2019, 22 countries submitted a statement, for Human Rights, to the United Nations High Commissioner. In this statement, they condemned and denigrated detainment of approximately one million Muslims in Xinjiang by China.[15] Following the Galwan valley clashes, India, on June 29, barred 59 popular Chinese desktop apps and mobile apps. Why banning the apps? The reason provided by the Indian Government stated that these apps pose a threat to the security of the nation.[16]
Other nations have frequently labeled Chinese diplomates as wolf warriors. Why? In response, the Chinese diplomates threatened economic retribution or took the matters to social media to discipline foreign governments that thrust back on Beijing. These diplomates, for instance, warned of undefined outcomes to Denmark[17] and Germany, if either of them banned Huawei from their markets. Beijing, maintaining its pride against Australia, took disciplinary steps against it. It set tariffs on its imports of barley and beef. Moreover, Beijing attempted to suppress its critics.[18] On Galwan valley clash, China called India for severely punishing and rigorously restraining and disciplining its frontline troops.[19]
Way Forward and Conclusion
Numerous analysts, policymakers, and critics in Europe, Asia, and North America raised and are still raising grave, genuine, and authentic concerns about China’s burgeoning magnetism. However, few voices in China acknowledge this. Several senior Chinese foreign policy advisers have prompted the nation to tone down its oratory. Chinese Ambassador to the Indian Ambassador S. Jaishankar also has distanced himself from the wolf warrior approach.
However, Beijing, as it appears, is in no mood to change its intentions and policies momentarily. Last fall, Xi Jinping, the Chinese President, encouraged Chinese officials to espouse a combat vitality. Continuing this last week, Wang Yi, the Chinese Foreign Minister, defended the approach by stating – ‘It was a necessary step from our side.’ Beijing should adjust its tactics to estimate for a more comprehensive global pushback. However, Beijing appears in no mood to multiplying it down. It is interesting that despite facing a hostile international environment, Chinese diplomats and leaders think that a unique opportunity exists. They estimate that they can benefit themselves from a disagreement between the allied partners around the world.
To especially mention Donald Trump, who continues to batter down the worst policies of China. He is continuously, at all levels, ducking off official dialogues. His overreaction and blabber is worth mentioning. However, such jabber and overreaction is only harming the interests of the United States. Furthermore, what seems to be more nonsense is the urge of the United States administration, to its allies and partners, to choose between Washington and Beijing without offering a formulated plan. This move of Donald Trump opened the door for China to advance its strategic objectives, which include, without any hesitation and fear, a well-coordinated and comprehensive response from Washington and its partners in Europe and Asia. It looks like the eagle is cooing in the sky for help, while the dragon advances against its nest.
China has betrayed India and the others and has also exposed its dangerous face at his own hands, in the hope of becoming the only superpower. Now the whole world is seeing this menacing face. It is presenting an example of the opposite wisdom of destruction. But does this matter? The reality is that European countries, America, Australia, Canada are also looking at it with mistrust and attempting to reduce their economic dependence on it.
Simultaneously, MNCs are also planning to consolidate their business from China. In such an environment, it is appropriate for India and the others to take economic and diplomatic steps against it instead of relying on the ostentatious things. The decision to curb government procurement from China is in line with the demand of the times. It is still essential to guarantee that the continuation of such steps against China is maintained.
References:
[1] Axel Madsen, Chanel: A Woman of Her Own, 24, (2015)
[2] Congressional Research Service, China’s Economic Rise, June, 2019, at 1, 1 (https://fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL33534.pdf)
[3] China Power Team, Does China pose a threat to global rare earth supply chains? China Power, July 2020. https://chinapower.csis.org/china-rare-earths/
[4] Apple Inc., (Sep. 2019), 2019 Annual Report, Condensed Consolidated Statements Of Operations, https://www.apple.com/newsroom/pdfs/Q4%20FY19%20Consolidated%20Financial%20Statements.pdf
[5] Paul Haenle and Lucas Tcheyan, How the World Is Responding to a Changing China, Carnegie, (June 10, 2020), https://carnegieendowment.org/2020/06/10/how-world-is-responding-to-changing-china-pub-82039
[6] National Security Council, US Strategic Approach to the PRC, The White House, (May 26, 2020), https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/U.S.-Strategic-Approach-to-The-Peoples-Republic-of-China-Report-5.20.20.pdf
[7] European Commission, EU-China – A strategic outlook, EC, (March 12, 2019) https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/communication-eu-china-a-strategic-outlook.pdf
[8] European Commission, EU Toolbox of risk mitigating measures, EC, 41, (Jan 29, 2020) https://ec.europa.eu/newsroom/dae/document.cfm?doc_id=64468
[9] Laurens Cerulus, Trump and friends: Where European countries come down on Huawei, Politico, (May 26, 2020, 6:05 A.M.), https://www.politico.com/news/2020/05/26/europe-huawei-5g-281701
[10] Camilla Tominey, Boris Johnson to reduce Huawei’s role in Britain’s 5G network in the wake of coronavirus outbreak, The Telegraph, (May 23, 2020), https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2020/05/22/boris-johnson-reduce-huaweis-role-britains-5g-network-wake-coronavirus/
[11] Lucy Fisher, Downing Street plans new 5G club of democracies, The Times, (May 29, 2020, 12:01 A.M.), https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/downing-street-plans-new-5g-club-of-democracies-bfnd5wj57
[12] Rupert Neate, Where is Huawei banned from working on critical networks? The Guardian, (Apr 19, 2019, 2:53 P.M. BST), https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/apr/19/where-huawei-is-banned
[13] Huong Le Thu, Vietnam Draws Lines in the Sea, Foreign Policy, (Dec 6, 2019, 4:36 P.M.), https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/12/06/vietnam-south-china-sea-united-states-draws-lines-in-the-sea/
[14] Michael Peck, South China Sea Drama, The National Interest, (June 23, 2018), https://nationalinterest.org/blog/the-buzz/south-china-sea-drama-one-nation-building-its-military-26383
[15] Nick Cumming-Bruce, China Rebuked by 22 Nations Over Xinjiang Repression, The New York Times, (July 10, 2019), https://nyti.ms/2XXG1YO
[16] Government of India, Government Bans 59 mobile apps, PIB, (June 29, 2020 8:47 IST), https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1635206
[17] Simon Kruse and Lene Winther, Banned recording reveals China ambassador threatened Faroese leader at secret meeting, Berlingske, (Dec 10, 2019), https://www.berlingske.dk/internationalt/banned-recording-reveals-china-ambassador-threatened-faroese-leader
[18] Kenneth Roth, China’s Global Threat to Human Rights, HRW, https://www.hrw.org/world-report/2020/country-chapters/global
[19] Huaxia, Joint efforts called for to uphold peace in China-India border areas, XinhuaNET, (June 26, 2020, 1:44:40 A.M. Beijing Time) http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2020-06/20/c_139152431.htm
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