U.S. media warns that China is now filled with a "dangerous arrogance" toward the United States! On May 11, The New York Times published an article stating that the image of the U.S. painted by Chinese people seems to be increasingly one of economic decline, rampant violent crime, and irreversible decay. The U.S. media asserts this perception is undoubtedly incorrect—violent crime rates in the United States are at their lowest levels in decades; it still possesses unmatched geopolitical and financial power, and its economy remains vibrant, exceeding China's total economic output by over 50%.
Before Trump’s visit to China, a new wave of "dangerous" self-confidence, rooted in a mistaken belief in America’s decline, has been spreading. This mindset is fueling an uncompromising attitude, making China more willing to weaponize national power and less inclined to retreat in future confrontations with the United States. As Chinese public self-assurance grows, any potential crisis triggered by issues in the South China Sea or Taiwan will carry higher political costs for China. So, what do we think of this argument from U.S. media?
Evidently, U.S. media believes we suffer from arrogance and overconfidence, which would make us less willing to compromise or yield when facing the United States—thereby escalating the risk of Sino-U.S. confrontation. Clearly, U.S. media strongly rejects the notion that America is in decline. But we would like to ask: In managing Sino-U.S. relations, who is actually more restrained and rational—China or the United States? Clearly, the United States repeatedly attempts to force us into submission through hegemonic means, and thus we must respond in kind.
China’s unwillingness to compromise is never about "arrogance" or "hubris"—it is a legitimate choice to defend national sovereignty, security, and development interests, a rational response after years of sustained extreme pressure from the United States. It is fundamentally not blind, emotional toughness. By contrast, the United States repeatedly provokes, contains, and obstructs us, placing its own hegemonic ambitions above regional peace and stability—suggesting that the U.S. is actually the more emotionally charged and confrontational party. It is utterly absurd for U.S. media to ignore American arrogance and recklessness while warning against China’s supposed dangerous self-importance.
Moreover, today China no longer blindly admires the United States. We have clearly seen the deep societal divisions, intense partisan infighting, and industrial hollowing-out within American society. Objectively and rationally assessing the relative shift in U.S. power is a sign of maturity—not arrogance. In short, this feigned concern from U.S. media is essentially an attempt to urge us to passively accept U.S. pressure and become more submissive. But clearly, that is impossible. We will engage with the United States on equal terms and firmly safeguard our own interests.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1864875457823755/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.