The two countries, US and China, are the greatest countries on earth that have capacities and potential to shape the destiny of the world. There are to views on the topic. First of all, some scholars believe that China is going to replace the US as the world superpower. They give these reasons, 1. Economy: for more than four decades, Chinese economy has grown so fast and expanded to everywhere. China has become the biggest trading partners of many countries and the biggest creditor. 2. Technology and AI; they believe in Chinese capacity to run after and catch up to those of US and EU. 3. Military: Chinese military has been expanding to the far seas to exert Chinese power and influence. 4. Soft-power: they see the Chinese influences that is being expanded in many regions.
The second view believes that China will never be able to replace U.S. China now just trying to stand up and maintain its position from collapsing. I am in the second views. Why? There are many reasons to say that China will never be able to replace the U.S. First of all is the U.S. The history of the world shows that there is no any superpower that willing to give its seat to others. US will do everything to contain China. Normally, U.S uses the NATO to contain Russia, and uses Asian alliances to contain China. This time, US will use not only Asia to contain China, but also EU.
Second of all, The Chinese enemies and the great geopolitical challenges. China is surrounded by its enemies, India in South Asia, Vietnam in South East Asia, Japan in the east Asia, Australia as the potential enemy, as well as U.S. In addition, even though Russia is having a great cooperation with China now, but it does not mean that Russia will allow China to be the global superpower.
Let’s examine more thoroughly. India, the enemy of China, also has great potentialities that is expanding its power in Indian oceans and stepping forward to compete for important role and power in the world. India is a very populated country and has a great ambition to be one of the greatest powerful nations on earth.
Third of all, The Chinese geopolitical challenges and its external problems. The U.S has increase in military present and allies in the Indo-pacific. U.S can walk and enter Chinese gates freely, but China can’t. While China is still struggling with its internal problems in Hong Kong, Tibet, and Xinjiang. In addition to these factors, Chinese system is very very risky. For thousands years of world history has shown that, whether communism or absolute power monarchy can’t work well and last long.
Fourth of all, The Technology and military power. U.S stepped on the moon over five decades. But China has just stepped on the moon very recently. When stepped on the moon and plant its flag, China took the photos and broadcast to tell the world about its greatness. Then NASA took the photos of Chinese flag. What does U.S want to tell China here? It is very simple ” No matter whatever you do, wherever you go, you can’t escape my from my eyes”. No Chinese navy or aircraft carrier can hide from the U.S satellite. It also means that the two great countries will seeking for space supremacy. Beyond these, most the technologies that are flourishing very high in China have their roots from the west. Unless the U.S stops walking, China will never reach that level. And whatever China could achieve will be targeted by the U.S.
Fifth of all, the Economy. U.S is still the world largest economy that has the advanced technology and control vast resources of the world. As the highest innovative and skilful country, US still and will still lead the world in the economy. Chinese economy has grown so fast for these recent decades are the result of exploitations and trade imbalance between China and many countries as well as the abusing of the intellectual property.
The last the political system and world order: the democracy is still the most valuable system in the world, but not communism. The U.S stills the leader of the world community. In China, who come to power is the big problem, and the changing of the leader also is a big problem. It is very fragile system. In short, China now is seems very strong, but not that real strong. The U.S is now seems on the ways of declination, but that is not the real declination. China will become the strongest nations in Asia, but will never be able to replace the U.S as the global superpower. (Read the book ” China”)
