"China's Economic Coercion: Shaping the New Global Order"

 

  

(Just an idea of Chinese direct investments the world over.. the figure is USD 2266.74 Billion. Source: https://www.aei.org/china-global-investment-tracker/) 

  

In the realm of international relations, the prevailing sentiment is that the "global order is in a state of flux." To decipher this transformation, one must delve into the historical underpinnings that have shaped the world's geopolitical landscape.

Post-World War II, the United States, particularly the West, orchestrated a Global Security Architecture grounded in 'Geo-Strategy,' leveraging strategic geographical locations to assert global dominance. The United Nations emerged as a diplomatic forum, aiming to prevent global-scale wars by facilitating dialogue among nations. However, the UN's role has been marred by controversy, perceived by some as a legal instrument advancing Western agendas.

The balance of power shifted with the disintegration of the USSR, leaving the United States as the sole superpower in an unnatural unipolar order. This led to reactions worldwide against the "cowboy-styled, gun-slinging" approach of U.S. global affairs, spawning small pockets of rising power players challenging unchecked American hegemony.

To comprehend how the U.S. dominated the world, one must grasp the concept of 'elements of national power,' primarily military and economic might with a veneer of coercive diplomacy. However, this model strained the U.S. economy, particularly as China emerged on the global stage as a manufacturing powerhouse.

China's unprecedented economic growth and focus on domestic development provided a unique opportunity to reimagine a fresh Global Security Architecture. This new order centers around geo-economics, emphasizing global relevance and security based on economic strength rather than geography alone. China terms it as 'the world that rises together, intertwined in a web of economic interdependence.'

China, often seen as a benign force focused on global development, strategically invests in nations worldwide through audacious projects like the Belt and Road Initiative, BRICS, NDB, and AIIB. These initiatives hint at crafting an economic order with China at its epicenter, as it seeks to make nations pliant to Chinese policies.

China's strategic thought diverges from the West's confrontational approach. While the West favors immediate results and military dominance, China employs patience, aiming to 'win a war before entering the battlefield.' With consistent policies spanning decades, China's economic dominance is evident, with investments totaling around USD 2.23 trillion and partnerships with over 120 countries.

China's economic coercion allows it to control global policy without resorting to armed conflict. Countries become economically dependent on China through central economy ties, investments, and loans. As China grows to control states one by one, it establishes policy frameworks safeguarding its interests.

The West, struggling to match China's economic prowess, lacks a viable solution. China's dollar-to-dollar dominance and strategic acumen have checkmated traditional Western approaches. In a globally intertwined economy where war is not a sustainable option, China's lure of investment and economic supremacy presents a formidable challenge.

The world is not merely inching toward the Chinese trap; it is already ensnared. China's vision of absolute domination on the world stage is materializing, and the approach, unlike traditional power plays, hinges on economic allure rather than fear or coercion. As the global power dynamics continue to shift, understanding China's economic coercion becomes paramount in navigating the contours of the emerging new world order.