AMU Homeland Security

Fear of China Is Misplaced Anxiety

By Jeffrey A. James, Ph.D.
Professor, National Security Studies at American Public University

The United States has been buffeted in the past decade and a half by fears: terrorism; the appearance of relative decline vis-à-vis other rapidly growing countries; our undefined and changing place in a world we have dominated since the early 1990s; and our failing political institutions, trumpeted for so long as the pinnacle of democratic expression. The near-collapse of our financial systems in 2007-08 further tested our mettle and caused long-time allies to doubt the credibility and integrity of our most basic financial institutions. Add to all of this two lengthy and costly wars, neither of which has produced anything like “victory” in a traditional sense.

Within this context Americans have seen the almost seamless rise of China, now the world’s second largest economy. Today China influences world events in ways that challenge traditional American hegemony. We are unaccustomed to this new player and are having trouble accommodating our worldview to sharing the stage with a country whose motives cause us doubt.

While we always need to be alert to global trends and potential threats, our fear of China is misplaced for many reasons.  Let’s consider a few factors that challenge this mindset.

First, the U.S. economy has shown tremendous resilience and is rebounding. Our crude approach to deficit control via sequestration is not pretty, but its effects are palpable. Some previously exported jobs are returning to the US due to the near revolution in domestic energy production capability, which by itself some estimate as contributing several percentage points to our annual GDP growth rate. Job creation remains insufficient and slow, but the picture is brightening especially in the energy field.

Next, our military remains overwhelmingly the strongest in the history of the world, despite 10 years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan. American weapon technologies are far beyond the threat of a new Chinese aircraft carrier or anti-carrier missile system. We continue to control the Earth’s seas and skies and space; our land control capabilities have been demonstrated in numerous settings recently. Moreover, our will to use our strength has also been shown.

Contrarily, Chinese problems confound that nation. Urban-rural economic schisms threaten the national unity, as does unrest by Tibetans and the Uighurs of Xinjiang Province. The export model for economic growth is no longer appropriate for China, where domestic consumption needs have expanded. Jingoistic truculence in the East China Sea and South China Sea is counter-productive for trade relations with Asian neighbors and the U.S., and a new approach will be needed by Beijing’s leadership and the Red Army.

This is not to ignore the huge gains made by the Chinese in the last few decades, remarkable in human history to have achieved so much so quickly. But the Chinese have shown no willingness to take on the global issues presently shouldered by the West. Their ambitions have been economic in nature and they have succeeded with many of them. They remain a regional power, not a superpower.

Western-controlled international institutions will have to adapt, to accommodate some Chinese interests. But fear of this ascending power is inappropriate for so strong and successful a nation as is our own. Maturity and cool-headed understanding is what will be required in coming decades.

About the Author:

Dr. James, a political scientist with strong international interests, has served in several departments within APUS.  His graduate training included foci on China and Africa, the latter in which he worked for five years in Southern, Eastern, Western and North Africa.  He resides in Central Virginia.

 

 

 

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