Mehmet Özay 01.10.2019
This October marks the 70th anniversary of the
founding of the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese government has been
preparing for this anniversary by organizing a massive military parade. A show
of force which will display the outcome of the country’s economic
modernization.
In this regard, this event will be more than a mere
joyful celebration of the rising power of PRC which will be observed globally. It
also reflects the historical remembrance of a communist based nation-state which
emerged just after World War II, in the aftermath of a civil war between two
ideological divisions, that of Chinese nationalism and communism.
In light of this historical staging, today China is
governed by a communist regime under a single party rule, and is proud of
having arrived at a significant stage as the second biggest economic power
recognized globally. This however represents just one part of the reality PRC is
facing.
Nation-State
feeling haunts China
The first issue is the state’s political ideology as being
distinct from economic ideology. Despite being a communist regime, represents an
example of economic modernization based on structuring its economy on the capitalist
system, or as others say, through adopting the values of economic
liberalization.
As observed in the last four decades, China has affiliated
its economy with Western liberal values and one may argue that there are few
countries which base their political ideology on communism, but have gained
such significant economic modernization.
China is very unique in the sense that it is already a
globalized power leading the contemporary world economy. And there is almost a
consensus upon the fact that the PRC has been a sustaining power on the global
stage in almost all aspects of economy such as being a great investor and trading
partner.
The country is always looking for ways to boost its
capacities at the regional and global scale, taking into consideration all
opportunities through its own multilateral institutions such as Shanghai
Cooperation Organization (SCO), and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
(AIIB). The latest examples of this policy can be seen in the bilateral ties made
with the Pacific region countries of the Solomon Islands and Kiribati.
Commencing from 1970s, China has implicitly and
explicitly decided to comply with the rules of the global capitalist economic
model. As a testament to its success in this regard China was accepted as a
member country to World Trade Organization (WTO) in December, 2001.
But the problem as witnessed in the official
statements and the media representing the Chinese government, China acts as a
nation-state feeling itself under a constant threat and wishes to aggressively sustain
its economic development in a mood of revenge.
One may argue that this psychology is determined by
historical factors. Hence, it is questionable as to whether it is reasonable or
not, since this attitude causes an obsession which China wishes to overtake
everything what, in particular, the US has gained.
China fails to buil
confidence
The second issue is related to whether China can build
confidence for a healthy political environment which will contribute to
regional and global peace. China has been increasing its military power in Asia
Pacific and recently built its first home-grown aircraft carrier aims to
withstand the navy power of the US.
Although we cannot deny that the Western capitalist
states have failed in the creation of sustainable global peace, we can at least
say that there are multiple approaches available to give space for distinct political
and social forces in the West.
China is a relatively novel playmaker but has yet to gain
confidence of its neighbouring countries and in the global stage. On the contrary,
starting from the neighbouring countries such as member countries of the
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), it is felt that the China is
perceived as a growing threat. The contested situation in the South China Sea
is definitely a test for China on how to tackle the issues with the relevant
countries in a way that buildsmore confidence.
Human rights
issues
The third issue is related to whether China will be able
to convince the global community about its record on universally recognized issues
from the environment to human rights.
Though China still abides by the measures taken in
2015 Paris Climate Agreement, the country has also been facing natural
calamities and environmental problems owing to the aggressive developmental
projects.
However, multiple rights issues are among the most
crucial challenges for Chinese government in front of the global community. Highly
publicized cases of the repressive measures taken in autonomous regions such as
Hong Kong, Xinjiang and Tibet, and the tight controls effecting the daily lives
of general public in mainland China, which were exposed in the 2019 World
Report on Human Rights are reflections of ideological stand of the state.
While China is celebrating the establishment of its
state based on the Maoist version of communist ideology initiated seven decades
ago, it has multiple issues to face in the domestic, regional and global
spheres. But we should acknowledge that these issues are not merely China’s
national problems, rather they are real threats threatening to regional and
global peace.
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