26 July 2021, NIICE Commentary 7185
Dr. Hina Pandey
What may be routine from the Chinese perspective holds implications for global politics as China being a rising power, has the capacity to shape the world. Thus, for the world, President Xi’s speech commemorating 100 years of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and the completion of China’s one of the centennial goals of national rejuvenation- ‘to build a moderately prosperous society in all respects’, is being watched with interest, seriousness and even caution. As China continues to rise in power and influence, the centenary speech will only gain more attention as a point of reference to the Chinese actions.
While the speech holds a message for the allies and adversaries alike; however, set in the context of shifting geopolitical trends, especially the US leading from the front to counter an assertive China via the Indo-Pacific, a relative US decline, the Sino-US rivalry and an evolving Post Pandemic world order, its significance is accentuated for the US’ China watchers. Albeit implicit, four takeaways stand out in this context.
First, on a profound level, the speech brings forth the contrast between the ideologies of the US and China and how they operate on two completely different sets of values. Marxist-Leninist evolved into Chinese socialist values and party primacy on the one hand; and the values of individual liberty and capitalism on the other. Expressions such as ‘Imperialism- imperialist’ ‘semi-colonial, ‘unequal’, ‘feudal’, ‘privileges of the imperialist powers over China’ and the CPC’s toppling of the evils of capitalist-imperialist ideology is well aligned to, ‘Xi’s hardline foreign policy that has been repeatedly framed… as a defence against Western oppression or provocation’. Additionally, by stating that the Chinese nation does not ‘carry aggressive or hegemonic traits in its genes…and care about the future of humanity’, President Xi has presented the world with an option of an alternative model of development. Furthermore, a skillful highlighting of China’s economic transformation and self-reliance enabled by the CPC; has drawn the world’s attention to the Chinese intention of ensuring a stable international order. In one way, President Xi has inferred- just like socialism could save…and develop China, the same could be envisaged for others as well. Thus, China is pained as a successful alternative to the West.
Undeniably, at prima facie, the presentation of the CPC as an archetype of governance – ‘a single-party reign’ that has significantly contributed to overturning the painful historical baggage of a century of humiliation to create economic prosperity was aimed at reassuring the domestic audience; however, this should also be viewed as an assertive reiteration of the Chinese values and principles, to demonstrate how China brings prosperity not only to self but also to others.
Second, the speech was also a forceful pronouncement of zero tolerance on issues related to sovereignty and Chinese global interests. There is a message indeed when President Xi said that, ‘no one should underestimate the resolve, the will, and the ability of the Chinese people to defend their national sovereignty and territorial integrity’, and that any ‘intimidation by the threat of force’ would only invite ‘collision (course) with a great wall of steel …of over 1.4 billion Chinese’. By indicating such a possibility, he put across an uninhibited political resolve to uphold and secure core national interests. Furthermore, the reference to Taiwan, while directly addressing the Chinese nationals, mention of Hong Kong and Macau remains the most direct for the West. In the light of the recent US military posturing vis-à-vis Taiwan and the US position on various issues that directly touch upon the Chinese territorial sensitivities is clear signaling of red lines that need not be crossed. This should be viewed as nothing less than a warning.
Third, the emphasis on the pursuit of Belt Road Initiative (BRI)- one of China’s most crucial economic integration project, that also undermines the US preeminence in several ways; the acceleration of the modernization of national defense and the armed forces to not only safeguard national sovereignty, security but also development interests, hints at the widening of the definition of China’s core security interest. The positioning of development interests along with national sovereignty and security indicates the length and breadth the leadership can go to protect its interest; it also implies the incorporation of a wider range of issues such as BRI, CPEC or any similar Chinese project in future. It is to be reiterated that, as per the US Department of Defense (DoD) Report 2020, the PLA too figures in the CPC’s strategy as a “practical instrument of statecraft with an active role in advancing Chinese foreign policy … including the larger aim of revising the aspects of international order”. All this adds to the messaging that China would not stand any opposition to its endeavor of maximizing its global influence. It is important to restate here that the BRI not only involves a series of commercial contracts but it’s also a strategic tool to reshape China bilateral relations with countries outside of its immediate regional environment. Additionally, the promotion of ‘mutual benefits over zero-sum gains’ and the building of a new ‘type of international relations’ goes hand in hand in supporting the larger objective of countering the US global preeminence.
Finally, to conclude, the Chinese intent to respond to the US’ role as a security balancer in the Asia Pacific was most evident. President Xi’s speech was indeed an official stamp to the country’s current world view and how this would likely guide the conduct of its foreign-security policy in the coming years. The message to the US was both- revisionist as well as revolutionary and might be viewed as nothing less than a cue to China’s vision towards the year 2049.
While the mainstream media in the US seemed to have ‘missed an important message sent to America’ or may have chosen to deliberately downplay it in the light of its 245th Independence Day only three days later, needless to say, Xi’s speech has registered its presence. Additionally, viewed from the US perspective, an acknowledgement of the same may not be necessary as it would only legitimize the Chinese rhetoric.
As the PRC strides ahead in power and influence in international politics while achieving its own domestic objectives, a continuous examination of its capabilities and intent has assumed immense significance in the global security discourse and will continue to remains so. It is in this context that President Xi’s message needs to be decoded not only for the US but also for the world as it has clearly announced the foreign policy direction which the People’s Republic intends to take in the near and long future.
