China: The Sleeping Giant

This academic essay was written for a school paper assignment in grad school. 

“There lies a sleeping giant. Let him sleep! For when he wakes he will move the world” was a famous line by Napoleon I to describe China. This line strongly reflects contemporary China. Over the past decade, the world has witnessed the rise of China in terms of both economic and political power. The country has continued to strengthen her capacity and expand her influence in the regional and the global arena. While this growth had initially been ignored, the current domination of China has brought fear among her neighbors and the world, especially the United States.

         Political scientists have postulated reasons to make sense of the fearful reaction of states. According to realists, China’s upsurge is a sign of selfishness and greediness that is inherent to humankind. Self-interest and survival are at the core of China on pursuing this growth. Similar to Morgenthau’s argument, the priority of China is centered on the promotion of her national interest by any means possible. Hence, it can be inferred that China’s spread of economic and political influence is an instrument to secure her interest and survival in the international scene. This understanding makes China a considerable danger to other states as their survival is subsequently put at risk. In other words, the rise of China could entail and widen the power gap between other states. It would make them a vulnerable state that is weak relative to China.

Thucydides clearly illustrated that weak states are doomed to suffer. In his Melian Dialogue, he emphasized that weak states are at the mercy of stronger states. Those countries with a fragile capacity to go against superior powers have limited options. Thucydides also put emphasis on how weak states are at a disadvantage in negotiating for agreements or even forging alliances. In the context of China’s relationship, the aforementioned fate of weak states is understandably frightening. The rise of stronger China brings fear of a potential grand offensive strategy or total takeover of other states.

         The common apprehensive response of states is further exacerbated by the lack of overarching central authority to govern the global system. The anarchic system allows anything under the sun (including China’s probable attack) to happen among the states. Structural realists would argue that under anarchy, survival, the main goal of all states, is not guaranteed. The improbability of China’s intention makes it harder for states to be at ease. Eventually, this absent of ordering principle could lead to a security dilemma which is a situation where the actions taken by states to increase its security causes reactions from other states. In other words, China’s increase in political and military strength could be interpreted by other states as an act of aggression which will intensify their dread.

         Constructivists have also offered explanations on why states are uneasy with the prospect of a rising China. Their main argument is focused on the history of interaction between China and other states. It is well-known that China has a history of denying independence and expanding territories. In recent years, news headlines have also shown how China has bullied small states around the South China Sea. This kind of narrative is shown in different communication channels, hence, it is no surprise that China is depicted as an entity thirsty of power. To add, China and her identity as a “sleeping giant” and challenger for hegemony contributes to China’s undesirable image, principally to the hegemon United States. All of these accumulate to form a collective hostile meaning to China and provoke fear among states.

         It is most notable that each state has special concerns about their security. For instance, the concerns of Taiwan differs from that of Japan or the Philippines. Each state has its own priority and interest to secure vis-à-vis China. But the case between China and the US is particularly interesting. The fright of the United States is obviously rooted in her fear to lose the hegemonic seat to China. China’s potential grasping of power could result to the delegitimization of America’s presence in Asia, among others, and ultimately a fundamental shift in the world order in favor of China. On one hand, countries in Europe, Africa, and Latin America have their specific source of concern with China’s rise.

It can be expected that the China scare will linger over the globe for some time, especially with her recent pursuit of assertive (and aggressive) foreign policy. For instance, the claiming of disputed territories in the South China Sea, the subtle expansion thru the building of the Belt and Road Initiative, and not to mention the threat of nuclear power, are all legit sources of fear to others. Clearly, the fearful reactions of states are well-founded. But China has not declared war on any states so far despite her solid political and military might. And this is good news for the world because it leaves some area for promising peaceful alternatives for state co-existence. This simply implies that we can crack a good fortune cookie that is amenable for all stakeholders. A fortune that will welcome and embrace the rise of China in a non-violent manner. In fact, the reality of the present time is China’s integration in our daily life thru her variety of products that we patronage.

Liberalist scientists would approve that embracing China is not optional; it is imperative if we want to exist peacefully. One of the basic tenets of liberalism highlights the power of trade and economic interdependence. As one of the trade partners of states, China is highly integrated into global trade which contributes to mutual profits. The gains of trade largely outweigh any violent alternatives. Nevertheless, China is undoubtedly a major contributor to the domestic economic prosperity of her partner states.

Of particular importance in liberalism is the role of international institutions in promoting order. Accepting the rise of China, states should tap on to international organizations such as the United Nations to foster and monitor rightful conducts and practices. International institutions would ensure that all member states, regardless of size and power, are given a voice. In this case, having a global authority will give a sliver of comfort to states in case of violations. Indeed, cultivating a greater responsibility for global governance among states is highly important for China’s peaceful progress.

Going back to Morgenthau, it is proven that diplomacy has worked in most cases in preserving peace. This means that embracing China is not as scary as it sounds. In an event that China would pursue her national interest in conflict with one state, there are bilateral peaceful means to resolve them. Diplomacy’s rules and tasks would guide states on the appropriate and ideal conduct in settling disputes. Simply put, the common understanding of the diplomatic mechanisms among China and other states would encourage compromise to meet halfway. It is vital to stress one of the prerequisites of compromise on armed forces as instruments of foreign policy, and not its master. Meanwhile, focal to constructivism is the belief that the reality is socially constructed and that it is open for the prospect of change. This belief is key to transforming the identity of China and her behavior. China’s meaning and impression can change over time.

 To sum up, China has been a benevolent imperial power in recent centuries. Its progressive movement has stirred mixed reactions from different states. Arguably, there are rational reasons why states should be fearful of the rise of China. Political scientists from different schools of thought (realism, liberalism, and constructivism) have offered lucid explanations based on power, interaction, interest, and many more. Fortunately, the uncertainties of the present situation concerning China gives us a silver lining where we can embrace her growth for peaceful coexistence. But with all of these matters we are not certain of, one thing is certain: the giant is sleeping no more.

*This essay was submitted as a requirement for POS 190 (International Relations).

*Still on the process of editing to avoid plagiarism. References are listed in the original file.