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Author: Prof. Engr. Zamir Ahmed Awan, Sinologist (ex-Diplomat), Editor, Analyst, Non-Resident Fellow of CCG (Center for China and Globalization), National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST), Islamabad, Pakistan. (E-mail: [email protected]).
In the last four decades, China worked very hard and modernized its infrastructure, utilized S&T to upgrade its industrial base, liberalized its trade and investments, enhanced its exports and economic activities, and achieved the second-largest economic power status.
China has also modernized its defense, utilized advanced technologies, and improved skills to build a deterrence in the world. China has already emerged as a geopolitical power, with strong muscles and economic might.
China has not invaded any other country, never looted or controlled other natural resources. What so ever, China has achieved is due to its persistent hard work, and right policies, and in time decisions.
In the background of US-China relations, which started in established in the 1970s, after recognizing each other formally and opening up embassies in each other's country, they picked up very quickly, cooperated almost in all walks of life, economy, technology, and the political domain was witnessed. Both countries were beneficiary of each other and were satisfied until China surpassed German and Japanese economies in 2006 and 2010, respectively. A noticeable change was felt from the US side, and feelings of containing China, countering China, and resisting China's rise were very visible. During the President Trump era, 2016-2020, the confrontation touched peaks, and even direct military conflict was also possible almost, especially in the South China sea.
Recently, the Chinese Defense Ministry warned the US that as the Biden administration works to shore up its Asian alliances against Beijing, any attempt to contain China is "mission impossible."
China is struggling to revamp its military, in line with President Xi Jinping's vision to renovate the People's Liberation Army into an entirely modernized, "world-class" fighting force by 2050.
"The facts show that to contain China is mission impossible, and will only end up in shooting yourself in the foot," cautioned defense ministry spokesman Wu Qian.
"Sino-US military relations are currently at a new historic starting point" with the entrance of the Biden administration, said Wu, commending the US to adopt a "non-confrontational, mutually respectful, win-win mentality."
Confrontation among the two superpowers has shown no sign of waning under the Biden administration, which positioned groups of warships, including a US aircraft carrier, to the South China Sea over the weekend.
In response, the Trump administration often sent warships near islands controlled by Beijing in "freedom of navigation operations," which China has dismissed as meager posturing.
Washington has pursued to firm up ties with Asian nations this week, with US President Joe Biden reaffirming his administration's "unwavering commitment" to defend Japan, including the disputed Senkaku Islands claimed by China, in a Wednesday call with the country's Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.
The new US Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin III, also argued regional security threats in recent calls with counterparts in South Korea, Australia, and India — the latter two have seen deteriorating ties with China. It is worth mentioning that South Kore, Australia, and Japan has vital economic interests with China and signatory to RECP. However, India is entirely in the arms of the US and opposing China in all possible manners.
Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian on Thursday dismissed the US-Japan security alliance as a "relic of the Cold War" and believed that disputes in the South China Sea should be resolved between "countries directly involved" and not those outside the region. Any interference from outside may further complicate the situation.
It is desired that Joe Biden-Administration, may study and understand the ground realities. Assessing and Realizing China's real potential, his administration may promote cooperation and collaboration based on a win-win principle to boost ties on the economic front and contribute to the global economy. Encourage peace and stability to ensure international peace and tranquility, for healthy environments to socio-economic developments worldwide. Joining hands for humankind's welfare and spare all energies to fight against hunger, terrorism, poverty, the worst enemies of humanity.
However, the new administration may focus on domestic issues to over-come. In any case, China has surpassed the stage where it can be coerced, contained, or resist its rise.
(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)
