MALRA BLOGS

THE DRAGON - THREAT TO THE WORLD

          Though India had a historical relationship with China, it came to an end in border clash in Himalayan regions led to lost parts of Kashmir regions called Akshai chin. And due to Galwan clash, it blew a higher-level anti-China sentiment in India. It led India to ban on Chinese apps and reduction in imports of Chinese products, prosecution against Chinese suppression of human rights in the global stage and ultimately it paved a way towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.

Not only India but also all the neighbour countries and the entire world is facing threat from China. Its growing influence in South China Sea made the nations to know the notorious face of China. To show up military presence in South China Sea, China has been constructing an artificial land features over the maritime area with trade more than $3 trillion each year where Vietnam, Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Taiwan also claim parts of same maritime area. Further, it has longtime border disputes with Nepal, South Korea, Bhutan, Laos, Brunei, Cambodia, Tajikistan, Mongolia, Indonesia, Philippines, North Korea, Nepal, Vietnam and territorial dispute in East China Sea with Japan over Senkaku islands. Even with Russia, Sino-Soviet border conflict over Vladivostok region being claimed by China.

Major threat to the world nations was the China’s foreign policy proposal “Belt and Road initiative”. Through BRI, China had been getting commercial and strategic influence in the foreign nations. The overland BRI with maritime version was connecting many Chinese seaports. The BRI networks clearly intend to benefit China. The Belt and Road Initiative was achieved through “Debt-Trap Diplomacy” with third world countries. 

The best live example was Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port, which China repossessed for 99 years when debt repayment became impossible. The loan to build Kenya’s Mombasa-Nairobi railroad, which the government was trying to repay by forcing cargo transporters to use it despite cheaper alternatives. Some governments, including those of Bangladesh, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan have begun backing away from BRI projects because they do not look economically sensible.

Even inside China, people of China led to face suppression. Failing human rights in Xinxiang, recent political disputes in Hongkong, Taiwan were proof enough. China had constructed high-tech surveillance state and sophisticated internet censorship system to monitor and suppress public criticism. Beijing was also long focused on building a ‘Great Firewall’ to prevent people of China from being exposed to any criticism of the government from abroad. Beijing’s move to impose national security legislation on Hong Kong threatened city’s autonomy.

China remained in the top destinations for investments due to vibrant and innovative private sectors and have highly complex value supply chains. To counter this, many nations involve in developing alternative supply chains to reduce the influence of China. Recently, India, Japan and Australia agreed to launch an initiative to achieve supply chain resilience in Indo-pacific region to reduce trade dependence on China.

To confront China, the world’s wealthiest seven democracies, US, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Japan deliver strongest condemnation of China in recent decades. China had on several occasion been subjected to criticism by the international communities over its “Expansionist Policies”. China faced several major bottlenecks in achieving its ambitious goals.

The consequence under President Xi Jinping is China’s most pervasive and brutal oppression in decades. No people to express themselves on matter of public concern. Independent journalism is no more. Ethnic and religious minorities face severe prosecution. Chinese Government attack on International human rights and increasing violent influence in global stage must be resist. Now is the time to take a stand.