The rise of CHINA
According to recent financial data, China has just elbowed Japan out of the way as the second richest economy on earth.Is China's relentless economic growth, and its emergence as a powerhouse in the world, a warning sign to the West? It has modernized its military and adopted a more assertive approach to its neighbours--both near and far. Within 15-20 years, most analysts predict China will overtake the US as the world's richest economy. Great riches mean great political power--in the sense that they can use their money to create political favours, just as other great powers have done in the past.
My own feelings are that China is going to want to impose its power onto other countries. But how? Giving money only works with poorer countries. What happens when they come up against a richer country? Some analysts argue that China will inevitably pose a threat to peace and security in the Asia Pacific region. I would go further. I believe the next great war will involve China.
No country likes to be knocked off its No 1 spot as world leader; but in a few short years, America will no longer be in the enviable position as the world's only superpower. It may not even be a superpower by then--it already owes China trillions of dollars, with it's total debt repayment running at a crippling $46 billion a day. That's a lot of hamburgers.
Will America accept being No 2--especially to a non Anglo-Saxon country who don't even speak their language? My instincts say no. They would feel humiliated. Kings never like to be de-throned at the best of times--but to a race of people who don't even use knifes and forks?--I doubt it. Just look at history. No country or leader has ever given away power freely.
Power must always be taken--usually by force.
Comments (5)
They never supported you in Vietnam--and you lost the war. In Iraq, the English Prime Minister supported America WITHOUT the support of the English people, and at the next election, the people voted the government out of office--and rightly so. These are the actions of a sophisticated electorate. They remove governments who disobey their wishes, or who lie to them.
But that's not the point. Which is: how is America going to hang on to its title of world No 1 superpower, with China breathing down its neck, demanding more and more say in world affairs, demanding more and more respect.
Are you going to give it to them?
Firstly, England and America are allies. Which means we are friends. But friends don't always see eye-to-eye. Friends also act out of self interest--just as our countries do (hopefully)--ortherwise we're all doomed.
I gave the example of England refusing to support the US in Vietnam. It wasn't in England's "sphere" of interest. The same can be said when the Americans refused to support the UK in the 1959 Suez fiasco, when the UK government foolishly invaded Eygpt. It wasn't in your interests. The point I'm trying to make is that we're allies, as long it's in our interests.
Which brings us nicely back to China. If they do become ridiculously wealthy--and I believe they will--then some countries who you think are your allies now, may in fact change their allegiance. I agree, your country has the biggest and the best weapons money can buy. The key word being "money". But what happens when the money runs out, or when somebody bigger and more wealthy comes onto the scene? President Reagan brought Russia to its knees by out-spending them--leaving America as the world's only superpower. In a few years from now, who's to say China won't do the same to you?
That's what wealth and power does. Money also attracts the best brains. After World War 2, the finest European scientists went to America to work and devise new and more powerful weapons--because you guys had the money.
You're right about Japan. The Chinese hate them--and for good reason. What the Japanese did to the Chinese in WW2 was inhuman. But to invade Japan now would be disastrous for China. It would only bring retaliation from a still strong US. The Chinese will bide their time.
So, what a disappointing blog. Nobody can come up with a scenario where the US manage to hang onto to their No 1 spot in the world.
"China has a stated policy to not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries and has had this position for many years."
I have just one word for you. Tibet.
Like most brilliant plans, you will marvel at its simplicity. I have already sent my plans to the CIA, and they are overflowing with wild and uncontrolled enthusiasm. Already they smell victory, and another 100 years of unrivalled world domination. But I have told them to be patient. To control themselves. That the timing and execution of my plan is paramount to a successfil outcome.
I have already been promised the Presidency as a reward. But I refused the offer (politely of course).