China heading for world dominance

Brief Note: This article targets on the audience who are following world politics. This will
provide them brief insight about the China’s intention to dominate the rest of the world in terms
of territorial dominance. It also provides understanding about the implications caused in future
and the possible recommendations.

In the race among developed economies to conquer the controlling power, China is clearly
manifesting its wish to exert dominance on rest of the world. Historically, many empires have
fallen down with the goal to conquer the world by invading others. China must have revisited the
lesson from history that only invasion does not help in becoming powerful rather, strategic
attacks might. Chinese president Xi Jinping stated that, “It is time for China to become “a mighty
force” that would lead the world on political, economic, military and environmental issues”[1].
This article will focus on the territorial dominance and strategies exerted by China.

China targeted to gain control over the Spratly islands in South China sea which is a rich reserve
of natural resources and also contributes to 10% of the world fisheries. It built seven man-made
islands in Spratly, namely The Cuarteron Reef, Subi Reef, Mischief Reef, Johnson Reef, Hughes
Reef, Gaven reef, and the Fiery Cross Reef more than 500 miles away from the Chinese
mainland While the country would gain access to natural resources, the main motive behind the
expansion is to expand its territory beyond the existing coast[2]. The sea acts as an active route
for maritime trade to various countries and gaining control over this region enables China to
restrict the maritime and air transport of other nations through the sea.

While China continues to accelerate its efforts towards gaining control over the South china sea,
its action resulted in detoriation of its relations with other ASEAN countries. The Fiery Cross
Reef, which is one among the seven man-made islands of China, has a 3000 meter runway on
which landing tests of civilian aircrafts can be performed[3]. China installed radars on Cuarteron
Reef, Gaven Reef, Hughes Reef and Johnson South Reef and the ASEAN countries view this as
a threat to international security and restricted freedom of transport. This area also allows China
to have access to the deep waters of the Pacific which allows it to directly reach the oceanic
depths without passing through the international water border of its neighbouring nations. It can
also use the islands as a bay to host its fighter planes and combat vessels if any political tension
arises with its neighbours posing a threat to international security[4]. The White paper on
China’s Military Strategy emphasized that the Chinese economy was heavily dependent on the
trade through these routes and hence it had to make sure that no illegal trade occurs through
these routes.

China wants to strengthen its connectivity to the west world through its ambitious One Belt, One
Road(OBOR) initiative (contemporary version of the Silk Road) and Maritime Silk Road. It
states these projects passing through 60 countries (with combined GDP of 21trillion USD) as a
platform to develop the social, trade and economic collaborations[5]. On the other hand, these
initiatives have potential threat to the securities of other super powers and developing economies
as China will have better access for movement of its forces to their lands. India being foreseen as
economic competitor of China had displayed its disinterest by skipping the OBOR meeting,
which happened during May, 2017. US defense secretary Jim Mattis stated that single nation
should not take the position to dictate “One belt, one road”, as there are many belts and many
roads in this globalized world[6].

India being a geographical neighbor to China faces multiple threat to its borders and security.
The String of pearls formed in the Indian Ocean around India poses a vulnerable threat to Indian
land. China pumps billions of dollars in the name of financial aid to nations around India,
majorly as loans for infrastructure development. It provides only 21% of its aid as grants and rest
being loans. China has spent around $362 bn, mostly for infrastructure development activities.
By funding for ports such as Hambantota in Srilanka, Gwadar in Pakistan and Chabahar in Iran,
China gains access to anchor its warships and to perform military activities around those regions.
The countries will eventually provide control to China, since they will find it difficult to repay
the humongous loan amounts. But the funds are not only used for developmental purposes but
also for internal political uses. Political parties used Chinese funds for their election campaigns
expenses, which happened in Sri Lanka in the 2015 elections [7]. It creates a destructive situation,
where the political parties find it easy to obtain funds from China, rather than developing the
economy of the nation. Thus, China gains political access to the countries and it is a greater
threat to the democracy of those nations.
Implications in future:

As one of the Permanent members of the UN Security Council, China could use its veto power
against any of the resolution passed against it. This allows it to enjoy complete freedom to carry
out any activity, which is against sovereignty of the others.

There is a greater risk to the democracy of the nations as the political parties use the funds.
Hence the economic and infrastructural development of the country is severely affected. China’s
diplomatic relationship with Talibans in Afghanistan raises serious concern over the
trustworthiness[8].

Because of the easier access to the string of pearls, China’s trading with the countries can disrupt
the local economy. While Chinese firms quote cheapest prices for the commodities, the local
manufacturers suffer a lot and they are forced to quit.

Recommendations:

Holding 3rd strongest army and large monetary base, China’s activities can be managed only with
diplomatic way. Nine week standoff between India and China for the Dokhlam pass, was
concluded by the diplomatic talks that took place between them. When undergoing dispute with
such country, diplomatic talks and raising concerns of each other can solve the tension between
the nations.

References:

1. Khan, Saheb (2017, October 21). China reveals plan to become world's biggest
superpower within 30 years. Independent. Retrieved from
https://www.independent.co.uk/
2. Gallagher, Michelle.G. (2018 June 27). China’s Illusory Threat to the South China Sea.
International Security, Vol. 19. Retrieved from https://www.jstor.org
3. PERON-DOISE,Marianne.(2017 December 21). The South China Sea: A Maritime
Geography of Latent Conflictuality. Research Paper no.44. Institut De Recherche
Strategique
4. Watkins, Derek.2015 October 27.What China has been doing in the South China Sea.
The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.worldpittsburgh.org
5. Jinchen, Tian (2016, July). ‘One Belt and One Road’: Connecting China and the world.
McKinsey & Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/
6. Correspondent HT (2017, October 4). US backs India’s opposition to China’s One Belt,
One Road initiative. Hindustan Times. Retrieved from: https://www.hindustantimes.com
7. Abi-Habib, Maria. (2018, June 25). How China Got Sri Lanka to Cough Up a Port.
Newyork Times. Retrieved from: https://www.nytimes.com/
8. Corr, Anders. (2017, February 21). Sanction China For Its Support Of Taliban Terrorists.
Forbes. Retrieved from: https://www.forbes.com/
9. Bender, Jeremy. (2016, April 21). RANKED: The world's 20 strongest militaries.
Business Insider. Retrieved from: https://www.businessinsider.in/