China has emerged as the nation with the fastest growing economy and the world’s major trading nation with the potential to continue influencing the world in all sectors in the coming years. As such, no nation can afford to ignore China. Infant we are all forced to be students of this communist Asian Country. Issues like globalization and international trade can never be discussed and addressed without mentioning China. The country is such a reckoning forces that all countries including the US and Britain has to implement foreign policy spelling out rules of engagement with this nation.
1n the 15th century, China was emerging as a superior nation in terms of technology and global influence but the following years saw china become enveloped in economic and cultural backwardness. The political and economic system became so closed and a culture that opposed all commercial activities was created. By 16th century, china was completely uninterested in world economy and western technology. Due to ideological differences, the relationship between China and the West became so strained that by the start of cold war, the West had isolated China economically, making the nation poor. Fast forward to late 1960s, and most Western countries started considering opening doors to china. As a matter of fact, only Sweden had diplomatic relation with China. A four year study was done by the United States to assess how the two countries could engage in economically viable activities in order to help China be advanced and sustain the ever growing population. What followed was modern technological export to China. Many Chinese were sent overseas to United States and Britain to get Education as China warmed up and adjusted to the newly found economical partner.
The modern China’s foundation can be traced and attributed to the good will of the United States and it allies. But recent events have made United States policy maker to start rethinking of disassociating themselves from China. There have been increased cases of Economical, Technological and Military espionage by China on United States and increased cases of human rights abuse. These and other major events are seen by the US as China direct attempt to stamp their authority and position itself as an emerging power house, a position that US is not ready let China to take.
China industrial growth has amazed world economist and other observer. major European and American companies have relocated to China attracted by cheap production cost as opposed to the production costs in the US and Europe leading to high rate of unemployment in these countries. American markets are flooded with cheap Chinese goods ranging from clothes to house hold consumer and electronic goods. Wal-Mart, a leading US supermarket gets over 65% of its stock from China. The demand for Chinese goods is so high that the production standards have gone low.
Recent events have left many American worried especially when thousand of Chinese made toys were recalled citing poisoning with the dangerous chemicals especially lead. The questions that have been left unanswered are whether the poisoning is intentional or just manufacturing error. Another pointing case is the installation of computer virus in China made electronics goods during the manufacturing process. These viruses have the capability to steal passwords once the computer is shipped and sold in the US. This is a major security concern especially in regards to data safety.
This is the first time in history that China is spending a lot of money on modern military hardware and technology. Military budget is in fact more than that of the United States. Military espionages in a bid to get the latest plan by United States on Military issues have been very rampant. It is as if China is planning to go to war soon. Recent events have seen China launch long range missiles amid protest from the United States. These military build up and advancement is seen as propaganda war by China to United States and it allies. Chinese authority are sending a strong message to everyone that they are economically powerful and have the military backup to defend their economy as Asian superpower.
Cases of human right abuse are very rampant in china and the Chinese authority does not grantee basic human rights to the citizens. No other time in history that China has received pressure to respect and guarantee human rights than this year, as China prepares to host the Olympics. The games are supposed to show global unity but people all over the world are using it as an avenue to press the Chinese authority to demonstrate respects for Human Rights. The past few weeks has seen Chinese military clash with protester demanding autonomy for Tibet. The ‘one couple one child policy’ is also against human rights as married couples can only get one child with the possibility of forced abortion on the second child. The Chinese communist regime is indeed very brutal to dissidents who try to raise a voice on issues relating to Human Right abuse.
Corruption and embezzlement of public funds is very common these days. The past few months have seen top ranking government official jailed for misusing public funds. Another problem facing China is the unwillingness of Chinese authority to control property right abuse. Over 90% of pirated DVD and CD sold in the United States market are manufactured in China. Cheap generic drugs easily find their way into the US market, endangering the lives of people who use those drugs. The number of illegal immigrants coming into the United States is rising each day. The Chinese authorities have shown no willingness to control people leaving China and entering United States Illegally.
United States can no longer sit and watch as china flex it muscles in regards to all these issues. China is a member of World Trade Organization and such all trade related actions have to reflect what WTO stands for. The 60s Non-Recognition policy may no longer work in the modern world as China has already advanced technologically. All major companies dealing in all kinds of products are stationed in China and non-recognition policy would mean that all those companies will have to close and relocate back to their mother country, this would be impossible.
New strategies and policy spelling the rules of engagement between United States and China must be developed. The US congress will have to go back to the drawing board just like it did in 1960s when it opened doors to China. United States will continue to depend on Chinese made products; as such Chinese companies must be compressed to follow stringent production measure for all products, ranging from toys to airplane parts. The standards must be agreed upon by all stake holders in the concerned industries.
Being an economical power house, the United States must also recognize the importance of China in the Asia region and instead of regarding china as enemy; a softer approach must be applied in regards to China. As a US ally, China can contribute in the war against terror and globalization. China is not bound by Kyoto protocol, because it is still regarded as a developing Nation. Recognizing China as a developed Nation will automatically bind china to the Kyoto protocol, hence pushing china to control its industrial emission and pollution. These will assist in reduction of greenhouse effect hence reducing effects globalization.
The United Nation Human Rights watchdog must continue to compel China to respect and guarantee human rights to all citizens. The International communities must also support the autonomy of Taiwan and Tibet and recognize them as separate States from China.
Reference
Ezra F.Vogel.1997) Living with China: U.S./China Relations in the Twenty-First Century, United States, W.M. Norton Publishers.
John E. Carey. 2007. Chinese Culture: Less Respect for Human Life, Web.
Kerry Dumbaugh. 2000. China-U.S. Relations, Library of Congress Congressional Research paper, Washington, Congressional Research publishers.