The above words were uttered by the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, on 1st Oct as he presided over the country’s largest parade, showcasing its military might and unity amongst top leaders to celebrate the Communist Party’s hold on power for 70 years. No one in their right mind can deny the economic progress made by China since Kissinger arranged the meeting between Nixon and Mao in 1972.
Since then China has steadily adopted tenants of capitalist economy under the one party autocratic rule. The Chinese economy mushroomed after enactment of reform in 1978 under Deng Xiaoping.
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), as envisaged is a largest project ever undertaken by any government in the world. It involves investment of trillions of dollars in 152 countries for infrastructure projects. The idea of BRI was declared in 2013 by Xi Jinping.
Artificial Island building in South-China Sea and militarisation of them has been a sore point with neighbours and international communities. China has made huge investments in the African countries to capture resources for its benefits.
It seems this grandiose projects, phenomenal growth of economy and other eye catching activities has increased influence of China in the international affairs which has irked the only super power the USA.
The current trade war between them may be due to the above mention concerns. The world has to wait and see whether the current super power can stop the emerging super power's onward march.
Narsibhai Patel
New Malden
