China Seeks To Reassure U.S. re Rivalry. A Few Thoughts…
China’s People’s Daily Online published an interesting Op-Ed yesterday, titled “China doesn’t have to be America’s greatest rival.” It makes for interesting reading. At first glance, it seems like a logical, albeit nationalistic, response on the part of the Chinese government to a few of new Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan’s alleged recent comments, & thus implying they represent the current administration’s stance on China, as well as the U.S. military’s stance, which is certainly quite possible/plausible. The article seems harmless enough &, typically, is designed to reassure Americans they have nothing to fear from China, with the caveat provided by spokesperson Lu Kang stating, “If a country seeks partners, then most likely it will get partners. If it seeks adversaries, then adversaries it will certainly get.” A not-too-subtle warning, which really isn’t surprising.
But as you read through the piece, it’s impossible to miss certain comments & phrasings which are … interesting. For instance, Kang ardently states – per the party line – that China’s defense policy is “purely defensive,” etc. But one considers PLA & PLAN activities & events that are maritime-specific, as well as interactions with multiple parties in the South & East China Seas, not to mention certain shoreline installations designed for specific purposes, & one has to smile. How can you not?
Another bit I found amusing, & have for some time whenever I see this reference, is found in a reference by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who in discussing China-US relations, quotes Confucius. I wonder what Mao would think of that? I mean, decades of trying to eliminate any reference to historical influential figures turned 180 degrees by recent & present administrations with their emphasis on the philosopher, most prominently through their increasingly successful & influential Confucius Institutes, which I’ll refrain further from commenting on, as many people probably understand my implications.
There are many things one can see when analyzing this piece, which is typical for virtually all of their Op-Eds, & I always take great pleasure in reading through these various Op-Eds. Ultimately though, the practical, present pointed emphasis can be found in the final sentence of the piece, which reads “The problem is whether the United States will choose to see China as a rival or partner and what kind of world it seeks to shape in this new era.” And now we arrive at the current primary emphasis, strategy & position – that the world is no longer one which is unipolar, dominated by the recent historical so-called hegemony, but whether that hegemony will be willing to accept the increasingly aggressively emphasized assertion, ne fact, that the world is a multipolar world now & China is no longer seeking, but demanding, to be viewed, treated & publicly acknowledged as – at a minimum for the present – equals in virtually every significant way. And at that point, opinions diverge throughout the world, throughout various countries, governments, associations & organizations, etc. China is very close to throwing down the gauntlet in making its demands for equal recognition & everything that accompanies that globally known. Per Minister Yi, “We hope the U.S. can be positive about China’s progress. There is no need to create rivals, and still less, to effectuate a self-fulfilling prophecy.” And while there is a lot of speculation & assertions about various strategies, plans, “marathons,” etc., as of the moment, the ball is in America’s court. Will we shoot or pass the ball?
Scott C. Holstad
January 5, 2019
Op-Ed: “China doesn’t have to be America’s greatest rival.” People’s Daily Online. January 4, 2019
https://en.people.cn/n3/2019/0104/c90000-9534840.html