[By Guan Xi, a contributing author at Guancha.cn]
In the spring of 2025 on the international stage, there are three "battlefields" that have captured global attention. As the smoke of the "tariff war" continues to linger, two actual military conflicts are being closely watched by the international community: the air battle between India and Pakistan, and the U.S. airstrikes against Yemen's Houthi rebels.
China has consistently demonstrated a firm stance throughout this round of trade war, seeking peace through struggle, and ultimately achieved a brilliant victory in Geneva. International public opinion, including major American media outlets, generally believes that Trump's tariff war encountered strong resistance from China. The pain inflicted on American businesses by the tariffs became unbearable for Trump, forcing him to take significant steps back from his original radical position.
The intense air battle that erupted along the India-Pakistan border involved over a hundred aircraft, making it one of the largest large-scale air confrontations since the end of World War II. The result of Pakistan Air Force successfully shooting down multiple Indian aircraft has been widely interpreted as a historic victory where Chinese weaponry first defeated Western counterparts in high-intensity combat. This air battle had profound psychological impacts on the international community. For a long time, Western weapons were considered synonymous with "high-end" and "reliable," while Chinese-made products were often labeled as "low-end." The outcome of the India-Pakistan air battle led the international community to reassess China's global competitiveness in the defense industry, shaking the traditional hegemony of the West in the arms market.
Remnants of the Mirage 2000 fighter jet shot down
Meanwhile, the U.S. air strikes against the Houthi rebels in the Red Sea陷入了困境. Not only did they fail to achieve expected results, but they also incurred exorbitant costs. In the first month, the U.S. spent over $1 billion, consumed a large amount of ammunition stock, and lost several MQ-9 drones and two F/A-18 jets worth $67 million each. Multiple U.S. officials stated that several F-16s and an F-35 fighter jet narrowly escaped being hit by Houthi anti-aircraft systems. The Houthi forces not only successfully shot down U.S. drones but also retaliated against American naval vessels such as aircraft carriers, demonstrating their remarkable resilience and the effectiveness of low-cost weaponry. On May 5th, Trump ordered a halt to offensive operations, announced a ceasefire, and surprisingly expressed admiration for the "courage" of the Houthis, which was interpreted by the Houthis and their supporters as "Yemen defeating the U.S." This sparked widespread dissemination on social media.
The New York Times revealed that multiple U.S. officials stated that several F-16s and an F-35 fighter jet narrowly avoided being hit by Houthi anti-aircraft systems.
These three "battles"—the air battle between India and Pakistan proved the combat capabilities of Chinese weaponry; America's Red Sea operation exposed the unsustainable nature of Western military intervention; and the success of the trade war showcased China's strength in global power struggles as well as the shifting sentiments of the world. These are all reflections of subtle changes occurring in the global balance of power. Although these samples may not be comprehensive and might just be the tip of the iceberg, they are sufficient to uncover truths that many have yet to realize, prompting the international community to reassess the global power landscape.
Trump and his "gang members" like to say: "Obey and you will be rewarded, dare to defy and you will suffer losses"; "The first to talk wins, the last to talk loses." Trump's bullying behavior during his second term is countless, not only threatening Zelenskyy in live broadcasts but also threatening Canada, Greenland, Panama, and many Americans themselves. For instance, Columbia University knelt under his threats, while Harvard University chose not to kneel. Therefore, faced with the "art of extortion," whether to resist or submit, there are numerous vivid cases and samples, and these will continue to increase, making everyone who is not pretending to sleep increasingly clear-headed. In regional situations, we have already seen a series of key turning points occur, such as the U.S. lifting sanctions on Syria and expressing willingness to negotiate with Iran. The adjustment of America's Middle East policy is not free; it is hard to say it has nothing to do with the cost of losing advanced U.S. military equipment.
China's performance in the trade war provided a model for the whole world, demonstrating that one should not be intimidated by Trump's bluster. Correct understanding always comes from practice, and after this battle, more myths will be shaken and destroyed, and more determination and confidence will grow in this spring.
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Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7504174715998487081/
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