The Chinese Communist Party, under the leadership of Xi Jinping, recently concluded an important four-day meeting and finalized an agreement on a five-year comprehensive plan. The plan underscores China’s ambitions to strengthen its global influence in the economic, military, and technological spheres.
Also read: China’s $1 billion daily exports underscore its leverage in Trump’s trade war.
A key component of the strategy, which was finalized on Thursday, is an effort to become self-reliant in science and technology. The initiative is a direct response to US export controls on semiconductors and other high-tech goods during the trade war between the two superpowers. The updated draft of the party’s five-year plan represents a clear challenge to Washington, reflecting China’s intent to dominate the world stage.
The implications of this plan are far-reaching. If the world fails to recognize and address China’s growing influence, it risks waking up to a future in which China dominates every aspect of our lives. As US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant has warned, “the world must disengage from China”, highlighting the critical need for strategic action.
China’s strategic aggression is further demonstrated by its dominance of rare earth minerals. Earlier this month, Beijing announced tougher export controls on the critical materials, which are essential components in a wide range of products, from automobiles to advanced weapons systems.
This action elevates the issue to a matter of national security not only for the United States but globally. If the world does not act decisively, we are in danger of becoming the Chinese Communist Party. This is a compelling reason for strategic disengagement from China.
China has cultivated an export-oriented economy, and many of the products we rely on are produced within its borders. This dependence emphasizes the need to diversify the supply chain and reduce its reliance on China.
Controlling nearly 90 percent of the world’s rare earth reserves, China has positioned itself as a dominant force in global production. The imposition of export controls means that foreign companies now need approval from the Chinese government to access and use these vital resources. This regulatory action gives China significant leverage over international industries and underscores the need for strategic diversification and proactive measures to reduce potential economic vulnerabilities.
Amid strained relations between China and the United States, President Trump and Party Chairman Xi Jinping are scheduled to meet in Asia next week. The hope is that a mutually beneficial deal can be reached during this high-stakes confrontation.
However, there is one significant concern: China’s history of not adhering to similar laws in other countries. Any agreement reached in Asia will be closely watched by the world to see if Beijing sticks to its commitments.
This pessimism highlights the need for vigilance and the importance of China responding to its promises. The stakes are high, and the outcome of this meeting could have far-reaching implications for global trade and security.
The United States has already begun a strategic disengagement from China, exemplified by efforts to revive its shipbuilding industry. However, China has responded with significant sanctions against Hanwha Ocean, a South Korean subsidiary with ties to the United States.
The move is seen as a direct response to President Trump’s decision to prioritize rebuilding US shipbuilding capacity, and Hanwha Ocean is looking to expand its operations to support this initiative. China’s sanctions highlight the challenges and potential retaliation that could arise as the United States tries to reduce its economic dependence.
This situation emphasizes the complexities of isolation and the need for a comprehensive strategy that anticipates and mitigates potential countermeasures. The United States must carefully examine these challenges to ensure the success of its strategic disengagement efforts.
For years, the world has considered China as a developing country, which has facilitated its rapid growth and self-sufficiency. However, this approach has now become problematic as China’s enormous size and influence has left the international community scrambling to adapt.
The global landscape grapples with how to effectively interact with a nation that has become so powerful and challenges existing norms and power structures. The same strategies that made China grow now create uncertainty and require a re-evaluation of international relations.
Navigating this new reality requires innovative solutions and a willingness to re-evaluate traditional approaches to global governance and diplomacy. The world must find a way to manage China’s growing influence while respecting the principles of fairness, transparency and mutual respect.
If the world fails to address China’s growing influence now, we are vulnerable to its dominance. While suppressing China’s growth is not the goal, strategic decoupling, as advocated by the US Treasury Secretary, is necessary.
China’s ambitions to achieve global hegemony are becoming increasingly apparent, and the window of opportunity for action is rapidly closing. If the international community does not take decisive action, this ambition could soon become a reality.
Therefore, it is imperative that the world act now to implement a strategic disengagement, protect its interests and maintain the balance of power. Failure to do so could have dire consequences for global freedom and prosperity.
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