China has retaliated against the United States of America by ordering the closure of a US-based consulate in China. This is practically a tit for tat move and is same for a trade war between these two countries that happened previously.
Over the past months, Ch ina has indulged in aggressive diplomatic relations with countries including the neighbouring nations. It has clashed inland with India and in the sea with Vietnam. It has challenged Japan, Taiwan and Malaysia over its own definition of sovereignty. This has happened when Ch ina is faced with a global backlash over a number of issues. Though some are persistent and some allegations, baseless, why is Ch ina resorting to aggression instead of a solution to disputes?
Xi Jinping Doctrine
Recently, the Xi Doctrine Centre for Diplomatic thought has been inaugurated by China under its foreign ministry. This has placed Jinping at the same level as the founder of Communism in China Mao Zedong or maybe above him.
The Xi doctrine is the final goal of diplomacy in China. This is basically an interpretation of Marxism and Communism of Xi and this is what the general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) aims to establish. As a result, the Chinese Communist Party has signed agreements with similar-minded political groups in other countries to develop a constructive exchange of training and ideologies.
The Changed World
Being one of the most discussed countries; the Chinese communist regime seems to be under pressure on account of economic woes like all countries suffering from the coronavirus pandemic. The Western world quite amusingly criticized Ch ina over its handling of the Coronavirus outbreak. Several nations wanted an unrestricted investigation and China has been resisting an independent investigation done by only the nations which aren’t on friendly terms with Ch ina.
A changed China?
China has imposed a new security law on Hong Kong which abridges the democratic rights of foreigners in Hong Kong and its resident population. The Xi government hastened this decision at a time of international anguish and when several nations were alleging China for the spread of COVID-19.
As a result of international pressure, China has increased tensions with several nations including India. Though there was no immediate reason for China’s move against India, the observations on China’s military plans were quite ambiguous. It’s rumoured that Xi Jinping asked the military general to prepare for war. Other than India, China clashed with Vietnam and Malaysia and tried to bully Taiwan, another country ruled by a centre-left liberal party. It tried interfering with the communist nation of Nepal and engaged adversely with France.
Polarization against China
As it seems from international politics, nations like Australia, US, Japan and India are swiftly moving towards greater military cooperation in the Pacific region and post the Galway clash in Ladakh, the US ramped up its military forces in the South China Sea. India also had a twin move against China- ban on Chinese apps and restriction on investment from China. These steps are being studied by the Western anti-communist regimes and Japan, Australia and Malaysia are planning to reduce trade relations with China.
