Meanwhile…China continues its quest for international dominance
The turmoil in the U.S. surrounding its capitulation in Afghanistan, ultimately leading to the country’s downfall in 2021, remains a source of opportunity for China.
When the U.S. capitulated in Afghanistan, it set off a string of activities across the world and gave China an opening to improve their status. They saw U.S. ineptitude as an opportunity where others in the West were simply dismayed.
The Chinese in this short two-year span have made strides, some small, some potentially larger, but all are in keeping with dictatorship’s plan outlined in the Great Rejuvenation of 2049. China’s ambitious goal is to supplant the U.S.’s alliances and partnerships, in the Pacific and ultimately beyond that.
It’s worth summarizing some gains and activities made by the CCP.
China recently “overtook the United States as Brazil’s top trading partner.” The two countries have also decided to conduct their trade in the Chinese yuan and Brazilian reais, instead of the far more stable U.S. dollar. This move is largely symbolic because of the strength internationally of the dollar, but it informs us where the Chinese want to go economically.
Honduras established diplomatic ties with China after breaking off ties with Taiwan. Only 13 nations still have diplomatic relations with this free nation(and the U.S. is not among them). The U.S. does have a defense agreement with Taiwan under the vague “one China” policy that allows the CCP to save face.
By contrast, China claims to have full diplomatic relations with more than 180 countries.
Linking with Honduras is not a major achievement in isolation, but it represents a very long view effort to chip away at existing relationships, leaving no area of the world uncovered.
In the Pacific, China and the Solomon Islands agreed to a security pact (security from what threat is unclear) usurping Australia’s close ties with the Solomons.
The Solomons are conveniently situated 1000 miles from Australia. Notably, the small nation (with a population just over 700,000) has a deep-water port on the island of Tulagi and enough space to house a military base. Threatening Australia is the goal.
China is exerting pressure on Argentina as it seeks to “take advantage of Argentina’s economic and social distress to take control of its strategic sectors.” China seeks control of the country’s “energy” sector, and “management of the country’s canals and navigable waters.” Argentina, with the third largest population in South America behind Brazil and Colombia, is experiencing economic woes that China is intent on exploiting.
The upshot of behind the scenes pressure has resulted in far-left Argentine President Alberto Fernández laying a wreath at the tomb of notoriously savage mass killer Mao Zedong.
Perhaps more importantly, Argentina appears to be considering purchasing Chinese-made JF-17 Block III jet fighters. Of course, with the jets comes strings. It includes years of a relationship that will include purchases of spare parts and teams of Chinese technicians and advisors.
In a sign that not all of China’s bullying pays off for the CCP, Filipinos “diplomats confront(ed) Chinese officials…with a slew of protests over China’s aggressive behavior in the South China Sea.” The move actually may move the Philippines closer to the U.S. Still, the Philippines may be wary of its emphasis on relations with the U.S. out of fears of too greatly offending the behemoth near its shores.
In March, China’s Coast Guard “apparently swarmed inside Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea,” in yet another intimidation effort. We can assume China will continue to press countries in the Pacific.
China also is diligently building its military alliances and capacity for expeditionary action.
China has conducted a series of exercises near Taiwan in what can be seen as a prelude to an attack. China in April situated an aircraft carrier near the island nation and launched ominous launches of aircraft in a strike posture, according to CNN.
The nations of China, Iran and Russia concluded a separate four-day maritime exercise in March, ostensibly focused on “maritime shooting, joint search and rescue, communications, counter-terrorism and counter-piracy operations.” It’s clear that the message was that of China has lead role in developing a strong anti-west alliance.
China is also making efforts to build its diplomatic image.
Involving itself in the Russia-Ukraine war, the Chinese laughably, but perhaps persuasively in certain regions, has proclaimed itself a peacemaker. Its ridiculous 12-point plan, though nothing more than a public relations instrument, is designed to make the CCP appear to be the reasonable party.
Consider, however, it’s first point. It requires both Russia and Ukraine to respect the “sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of all countries.” Obviously, if Russia had respected the sovereignty of Ukraine there would be no need for an agreement at all.
Clearly, China is pushing on all the levers of diplomatic, information, military and economic power to achieve its proclaimed goals. It is up to the free nations to exert their own considerable power to reverse the CCP’s gains.
The first step is to reduce the economic ties with the tyrannical regime to cut off the economic engine that supports their quest. The time is now.
James Hutton is a former assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and is a retired colonel in the U.S. Army. Follow him on Twitter @jehutton.