Unstoppable China, unpredictable US
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Is the US finished? That’s the title of a program through which the popular podcast channel, The Rest is Politics, evaluates the massive military parade held in Beijing. Though it sounds exaggerated and premature, there are many reasons to describe it so. The spectacle of the Chinese military parade commemorated the country’s victory over Japan in World War II. It can be construed as a dictatorial way to arouse national fervor, but the demonstration of military prowess has more to say than simply displaying the arms. It clearly sends the message to its rivals that the Communist regime is all prepared on its journey to be a global leader or an unstoppable economic and military power, as President Xi puts it. Indeed the message is aimed at US and its western allies.
It's not news that China is the largest economy in the world next to the US. Now the military display that includes nuclear intercontinental ballistic missiles, new anti-ship missiles, anti-ballistic missiles and unmanned under water drones showcase the country’s cutting edge defence capability. What makes the Chinese military parade more relevant is the ongoing war in Ukraine and the foreign policies of US under Trump 2.0.
The world is almost divided now. United States and its European friends are on one side, China and the so-called Global South on the other. On another side, the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin and the absence of European leaders attending the parade are also too easily noticed. Donald Trump was right to say that the leaders who met in Beijing were conspiring against America. The North Korean leader Kim Jong Un was the other notable leader who attended the September 2 parade. Before that, Shanghai Cooperation Summit was attended by the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Geo politics is changing rapidly. Of course, it's not in favor of America. The US has become more and more aggressive and unpredictable under the Trump administration. India, once a close ally of US is much disheartened by the aggressive trade tariffs by the US and is weighing China for more trade and business. US has imposed 50% tariff for Indian goods and it will definitely affect the Indian small-scale business and industry. It is not only the economic causes, but the political undercurrents that is fuming Indian ire towards US. Donald Trump, the US President had claimed multiple times that it was he who mediated the ceasefire between India and Pakistan during the recent skirmishes which is contrary to the Indian position.
Trump is in an all-out hunt for a Nobel prize and is sticking to his claim of mediation. In response to his claim, Pakistan even recommended Trump for Nobel Prize. It somehow belittles the global image of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Also Trump is not in favor of India buying crude oil from Russia, which is in a way a boost to the Russian economy. Though the US expressed its reservation over buying Russian crude, India didn’t budge. It doesn’t mean that India is drifting away from the US and making an alliance with China which doesn’t go well with US policies.
And the US postures of late towards India, as reflected in certain remarks by Trump bordering on rapprochement may make many an observation of recent weeks irrelevant or outdated. But there again, barring friendly generalities, especially on a personal level with Prime Minister Modi, Trump has not sounded any conciliatory tone specifically on the issue of tariffs.
Australia, a long time security partner of United States has changed its stance on Gaza war and has openly come in support of a Palestinian state as against the position of US. Though US supports the two-state solution, it opposes the unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state. The looming uncertainty of Trump dispensation has virtually divided the western block and of course, China gets the leverage out of this unsteadiness.
China projects itself as a predictable and stable economy unlike the US. It acts as a dependable ally and a country that adheres to international laws and system. The Communist regime positions itself as a nation that stands for peace and mediation and not as a global police. At least publicly. The communist regime has expanded its business and trade globally and almost all countries in the world have trade links with China. Columbia is the latest country to join with the Belt and Road initiative of China. Two thirds of all the countries have so far joined with China.
Apart from trade and business, China is all poised to become the largest military power with advanced weaponry and technology. That’s the message the spectacular military parade in Tiananmen square projects.
