China's power is mostly a fallacy.

Published on January 3, 2005 By Kobrano In Current Events

I'm of the thought that people worry to much about China. Much of what China is about is big talk, and little action. They simply lack the resources, money, and power to do anything substantial, either good or bad, in the world today. So what does China dominate? Plastic Toys and Cheap Clothing, thats about it.

Link

China trying to be a major power in Asia, can only muster 62 million dollars, no naval vessels or air support, and is finding that they just aren't a world superpower - nor are they close to becoming one. These countries are finding out, that the only superpower is the United States, and for the forseeable future, will only be the United States. Perhaps they will be humbled by this, perhaps North Korea will stop trying to threaten us.. Threaten us with what? More plastic toys arriving to our dollar stores nationwide?

Please...

Comments

Solitair

on Jan 04, 2005

I think you're being far to hard on China. You have to realise what $62 will buy in China. This is in a country where even 1/10 the US average wage is considered rich. So, to the average Chinese person $62M is equilivent to $620M to a US person.

This also converts to military issues. The average sodier is paid far less, the cost of materials is far less, the cost therefore of home built tanks and planes is therefore far less. China may be much poorer than the US but it can buy far more the same amount of money and is fast expanding it's economy.

China may therefore not yet be able to match the US in ability to projet force or aid, but it has already matched the US (in fraction of GDP) given in this disaster and will learn from it's inadequecies so that next time it is far better placed to actually project such help.

The US's great weakness here is that it undoes much of the good will it generates through disaster relief by then politicising such relief. Trying to laugh off China's substantial contribution instead of saying well done is just another example of this. China may end up giving less than the US in this disaster but China will end up with the better improved foreign relations, for it gave more of what it had and attached no political strings to it.

Paul.

hitparade

on Jan 04, 2005

China may therefore not yet be able to match the US in ability to projet force or aid, but it has already matched the US (in fraction of GDP) given in this disaster and will learn from it's inadequecies so that next time it is far better placed to actually project such help.

The US's great weakness here is that it undoes much of the good will it generates through disaster relief by then politicising such relief. Trying to laugh off China's substantial contribution instead of saying well done is just another example of this. China may end up giving less than the US in this disaster but China will end up with the better improved foreign relations

Should not the world pressure China to end its occupation of Tibet? I do not see anyone poking fun at china's laudable efforts. I believe the point of the article is that China's power is largely exaggerated . I find it odd how many on the left exalt China as a potential deliver of sorts. Deliver the world from what? America? Capitalism?

The article in the link shows Chinese nationalism being voiced on the internet in connection with the Chinese sending aid (their money) to foreigners. Were I living in Asia, I would fear Chinese Nationalism; I would not worry over measurements of contributions in relation to GDPs. If the obvious must be stated, then let me remind you that America's military infrastructure (a trillion dollar asset) is a standing force ready to serve the world as it is now doing. Applaud America, Solitar. C'mon. You know you want to.

cactoblasta

on Jan 04, 2005

Were I living in Asia, I would fear Chinese Nationalism; I would not worry over measurements of contributions in relation to GDPs.

You probably wouldn't, you know. At the moment China is too obsessed with Taiwan to be much of a threat to the rest of Asia, and in any event Japan will replace the US as regional westerner in the event of a US power vacuum, so China will be contained there anyway.

The Chinese aid program is significant in that it has actually received publicity. Who woulda thunk it? Enemies of the state are almost never acknowledged for their generosity, even in passing. One has to wonder what's going on here that the Chinese contribution has been recognised.

Kobrano

on Jan 04, 2005

Japan is definately the power in Asia, and as they amend their constitution to allow military interventions this will all become more obvious. The japanese have their eyes firmly planted on China, and aren't letting them waiver. (Y)

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