The Dragon Spreads Its Wings - A look into China’s Growing Prowess

When people take a look into the next decade or semi-century, they anticipate the growing powers of various countries, but they usually don’t realize that one country, in particular, is growing at rapid rates in both political and economical prowess. And that is China. The U.S, even a few decades back would never imagine that China, a slow, developing country at that time, would emerge as fast as we see today. But perhaps the Trump administration caught a whiff of China’s growing power and that led to the infamous trade war between the countries. Back in 2001, Former President Bill Clinton was the first one to take the step ahead in forging a relationship with China by inviting them to the World Trade Organization. In just 20 years, China’s growth is outstanding and impeccable. It has risen from the top, leaving behind its Soviet Union contemporaries, even while retaining its communist government style.

A photo of the communist Chinese military, in formation.

A Look Into China’s Growth

Napoleon once said: "China is a sleeping giant. Let her sleep, for when she wakes she will shake the world.”

China had always been a rather dominant country in the Eastern Hemisphere with trade in the Silk Road, which expanded into more than 4,000 miles into Europe. Its long established ascendancy over the trade market in the Asia subcontinent provided this country a great advantage ever since the beginning. With this edge, China was able to use this economic power into political power, taking over many provinces, such as Taiwan. It is, however, all a plan. The Chinese government has a very ambitious plan to economically dominate the world. Given the massive investments over the last twenty years in China and the fact that most of the manufacturing for the world has moved to China, it is quite obvious that China is the main manufacturing hub of the entire world. Any product, be it household or industrial, is probably made in China.

However, this means the Chinese economy only needs a consistent supply of raw materials into China to use to manufacture their products, since they already have adequate infrastructure and adequate labor.

And the other side of the story is once the manufacturing is completed using the raw materials they need to find markets around the world to sell.

Mass manufacturing for a product taking place in China.

Their Plan for the Future

Knowing that, they launched the “Belt and Road Initiative” (BRI). It was adopted around 7 years ago, but it is such a grand scale project that the estimated completion date is only around 2050. Chinese president Xi Jinping formulated this global economic plan, which was his multi-trillion dollar legacy project. The initiative plans to follow the path of the ancient “Silk Road”, where goods were historically traded and culture was diffused across Europe, the Middle East, and into parts of Africa.

There are two main components of this plan: the Economic Belt and the Maritime Silk Road. The Economic belt strives to create 6 new routes in and out of China, connecting Chinese cities to ones in far-flung London. There could also be gas pipelines routes from the Caspian Sea to China. The BRI also includes power plants, industrial sites, oil refineries, and mines. These qualities make the BRI a very captivating ideal, especially for other countries who may be vying to join the project. Such a plan provides easy access for China to get those essential raw materials, as well as other goods.

Around 2 years ago, a port opened up in Sri Lanka. It is only part of the Maritime Silk Road facet of the BRI plan, a stretch of ports along the sea extending from

Essentially, the Chinese government has set aside a plan to reroute global trade, with their country being the focal point, allowing it to be a dominating force for Asia.

It could perhaps be an apt way for China to rise into being a world superpower, squashing each and every country that threatens them while dominating the world.

Xi Jinping, leader of China, at a conference speaking about his plan for the BRI.

Their Progress So Far

However, around 65 countries have signed to be a part of the BRI plan by China, because China is highly inclusive, encouraging and promoting all countries to contribute to the plan.

Of these 65 countries, Pakistan has a huge role in China’s plan, which seems very uncanny because Pakistan was never a place for foreign investment. China offered to build a fishing port in Pakistan back in 2001, and in 2018, the port as well as other networks joined the BRI and became part of a whopping $63-billion dollar corridor.

That corridor is precisely where both facets of the BRI (the Maritime Silk Road and the Economic Belt) meet, proving to be beneficial to both countries. Due to this significant growth in Pakistani economy, it forged a tight relation with China. Interestingly, both countries also have a strong enmity with India, which serves as a buffer between both countries.

BRI also worked in China’s favor, although it is still in a preliminary position. Chinese construction contractors saw a huge rise in opportunity, with 8 out of 10 major firms becoming a Chinese-based company.

What is very different from Chinese investments compared to other foreign investments for the majority of the world’s countries is the fact that Chinese workers have deliberately built projects in these countries. For western countries like the U.S., smaller countries have to meet strict standards, while China’s conditions are limited and flexible. The fact that China is also loaning billions of dollars to these countries makes the BRI a viable option for them. China has even signed contracts with dictatorships, corrupt countries, and some of the worst governments in the world, including places like Yemen, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

China has signed the contracts with these countries even though it is quite obvious that these countries would probably not be able to pay China back- at least anytime soon. However, the Chinese government has used this advantage as a key factor as a part of their plan.

In 2017, it was clear Sri Lanka couldn’t pay back the billion dollar loan that China had given them for their port, so they gave China control of the port as part of a 99 year lease. China also has control of the strategic port in Pakistan, and has opened a naval base in Djibouti (Africa).

Economists have predicted that China has another plan, one that is called “The String of Pearls Theory.” This theory says that China is planning on establishing a series of naval bases, that coincidentally encircle one of China’s biggest competitors, India. These naval bases grant China maximum power and totalitarian control of trade in this region.

China's Belt and Road Initiative plan

Why only China is capable of such a project

So what about the U.S, which is arguably the superpower in the world right now? Because the U.S. is investing less and not extending a hand in forging solid relationships with other prominent countries, China is taking the upper hand.

A big part as to why the BRI can work for China is because they are a communist government. The USA could possibly never uphold and execute a large-scale project like the BRI because of the short-termness of their government’s political party. If one president decides to start a project like the BRI, they wouldn’t be able to complete it before their terms are over. And it’s also very possible that the next president that comes into power could completely scrap the entire project or completely transform it. These are one of the very few perks of the Communist government, whose leaders have similar ideals.

President Donald J. Trump of United States of America faces off with President Xi Jinping of China.

Recent Suspicions around China

Recently, with the new pandemic causing great deal of worry across the world, countries have been facing issues relating to health care costs and lack of funding. Especially since the United States had ‘blasted the World Health Organization’, threatening to cut off funding, China has desperately started to use this opportunity to take on leadership and demonstrate their engagement with other international organizations. For instance, China started a Health Silk Road, providing health benefits and care to other countries, like Sri Lanka.

Despite China’s attempts in serving aid to other countries, many have found suspicion against China, and have begun to analyze their motives, thinking that the spread of COVID-19 was no accident. Many cogitate that it could be their attempt in taking dominance over the world. Though countries suspect China’s motifs, it is likely these suspicions will get covered up, because of China’s international involvement during this crisis.

China’s famous app TikTok

China’s dominance over the world is also due to internet and manufacturing control. With their leg in multiple multi-billion making companies, they have many gains. Their worldwide used apps originated in China, making their control stronger. Some countries have started banning some Chinese-based apps due to security concerns, privacy, and sovereignty and integrity.

For example, India has banned TikTok and 58 other Chinese apps to protect national security concerns. Many of China’s apps collect massive amounts of data, including passwords, email information, real names, birthdays, etc. The scariest part is that apps like TikTok do not mention the amount of data that is being collected. Apps are made in such a way that if communications to the analytics server is blocked, they won’t function. With TikTok being ranked as one of the most frequently downloaded apps, this may be a leading concern in the future.

Recently, TikTok, as well as other Chinese apps, was banned in India. Here a man supports the ban by burning a photo of TikTok, showing solidarity.

Why China is unstoppable

But China’s growth is almost impossible to stop, because they are a force to reckon with for the entire world in the . Once China amasses this power and dominance over the globe, they will extend their boundaries. India and China are currently feuding over the territories of Tibet and Aksai Chin. The issue that the British left undecipherable boundaries made the situation very difficult. However, it’s possible China’s military can grow leaps and bounds. For this reason, it can be difficult for India to gain control on these territories, as no other country would want to face China, the future and ONLY super-power.

Additionally, its possible China will lend their hand to Pakistan when they face India for the disputed territory of Kashmir. With India being cornered by China in the north, Pakistan in the west, and Sri Lanka (another ally of China) to the south, they will sadly lose their grip on territory.

With China being dominant in terms of business, economy, and captivating users on social media, the rest of the world is seen as very reliant. The pandemic itself is proof; what started off hurting China soon impacted the world’s economy, spreading the virus immediately to the rest of the world. Apps such as TikTok, with the US being the second biggest user, have demonstrated its prominance over the world, resulting in security issues and concerns. In fact, approximately 392 million Americans use TikTok. 60% of American teens use TikTok, with a large increase during quarantine. Additionally, almost every American citizen has bought or used a product that was made in China. Whether we realize it or not, we depend on China - so much so that in the process, we risk our own country’s safety.