China Challenges US Interests

On March 15, 2003, the People's Republic of China (PRC) elected Hu Jintao as President despite the fact that not but five months earlier he was given the position of General Secretary of the Communist Party of China. During this time, the Chinese government as demonstrated that it is willing to make decisive policies that could disrupt United States goals and plans. It has become clear that China poses critical challenges to U.S. economic and strategic interests. Unfortunately, this means that the U.S. hopes for Taiwan's independence from China is threatened. This threat comes in the form of a formal declaration of independence could lead to a military confrontation between The People's Republic of China (PRC) and Taiwan, a United States ally, because China remains committed to reunification.

On December 27, 2004, the PRC emphasized that Taiwan would once again become part of China either on their own or by force. The State Council submitted a policy paper on national defense as 2004 was coming to a close which clearly outlined that they viewed an independent Taiwan as a threat to China's sovereignty and would defeat the notion of independence no matter what the cost incurred. The PRC National People's Congress even went so far as to adopt an anti-secession law three months after this policy that noted should Taiwan make any notions toward independence, China would attempt to peacefully defeat the acts, but would resort to non-peaceful means if they found it necessary.

The significance of this saber rattling is seen in the fact that China is willing to back up its threats with military deployment. There are many recent examples of military purchase are signs of this intent. Of those most disconcerting are the ideas that China has prepared for a "Taiwan Scenario" by deploying 500 missiles currently sitting opposite the coast of Taiwan. China has also purchased eight missile systems from Russia and 24 30MKK fighters. China continues to be the largest single importer, constituting an average of 40% of Russia's annual exports through their purchases of post-Soviet arms and military equipment.

But the threat to our interests doesn't stop there. In addition to equipment, China is forming a strategic alliance with Russia, which has often opposed U.S. interests. Some of the motivation for this potentially aggressive posture is economic, as China is a growing economic power, with a significant balance of trade advantage over the United States and a thirst for oil. China doesn't want to be threatened with tariffs by the U.S., but the growing Chinese economy demands new oil supplies, and that puts the U.S. squarely in competition with our interests. Further, access to greater oil supplies could increase China's military potency.

China has not been overtly hostile to the U.S., they are an emergent power to be reckoned with. The growth of their industry, which demands the same oil we've found so dear, could certainly be the spark for more aggressive moments with this increasingly well-armed power. Further, the fact that China is willing to deal with states that we consider rogue states, both buying oil from them and providing weapons to them, supports the notion that China doesn't necessarily have our best interests in mind.

Herb likes to learn about international business events. Please check out his website with information on kids toy storage and details on toy storage units.

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