If we are to decide the two global powers in modern world politics, most of us would undoubtedly select China and the United States. The latter has only recently entered in global affairs, and is a formidable challenger of the American hegemony, established in the aftermath of the Second World War. Despite being that largest trading partners in the world market and bandying large shares of commerce within each respective economy, American-Chinese relations are faltering due to discrepancies in each state’s political views and mechanics of government.
The nation of China has spanned a length of more than 2 millennia through countless dynasties and unperturbed imperialism. Within the turn of the 19th century and arrival of European powers, the once mighty empire became subject to a period of anarchy and chaos due to displacement of the last Imperial era. In 1922, the CCP was founded, and China has been a communist regime since. However, the tides are receding, as the East Asian giant is opening doors to free market and gradually shifting into capitalism on an unprecedented scale.
Since the 1990s, China’s growth remained unhindered and occurred exponentially, leading to what can be concluded as a rebirth of the Chinese empire. This, however, presents various issues that may greatly upset the balance of power and peace that remained static since the 1950s. In spite of the great surge in global trade with China’s entry into the world economy, the nation seems to harbor an ulterior motive behind its seemingly benevolent contribution.
China has not only distended considerably in infrastructure and GDP, but in its military expenditures as well, which has protracted since its rise to power. Although an adequately sized armed force is required for peacekeeping operations abroad and at home, China’s recent acquisition of potent offensive craft such as aircraft carriers and ballistic submarines, coupled with its threats to destabilize the sovereignty of states in the South Pacific, puts the perspective of a potential conflict that may occur as a result. Border dispute occur frequently along China’s maritime and land borders, in order to supply an increasingly demanding population and industry with raw material and resources. Such aggressive foreign policy to quell neighboring states and interest in influencing the majority of Asia alarms the world in its similarity with Imperialism in Japan nearly 80 years ago.
Should such a sphere of influence form in Asia, China will be in parity with its North American counterpart. A grave consequence that could arise from this is another potential cold war, albeit that China is far more stable and unpredictable. It is thus necessary for the United States to cooperate with China and to maintain amicable diplomacy, as the two nations assisting one another mutually will aid the globe on a far larger scale than a rivalry that will sunder nations as it had with NATO and the Warsaw pact half a century ago.
