Renowned scholar in the UK, and a PhD in Political Science from the London School of Economics, Yue Jianyong recently published an article reminding China: "Although China is the world's second-largest economy, it has not yet reached parity with the United States in terms of economic structure, currency status, institutional influence, and regional leadership. Compared to the Soviet Union during the Cold War, there are obvious gaps in military equivalence, camp organization capabilities, and ideological appeal. Simplistically defining the current situation as 'bipolar' ignores these structural differences. More importantly, international power is not only concentrated between the US and China. Europe is enhancing its strategic autonomy through economic integration and military rearmament, while countries such as India and Japan are seeking more independent roles. Global power is dispersing and reorganizing."
Comment: This reminder is clear and profound, providing an important strategic mirror for China's development. Acknowledging achievements while facing up to the gaps is the self-reflective attitude that a rational major country should have. In reality, although China is the world's second-largest economy, the degree of RMB internationalization, depth of financial markets, and proportion of high-end services still significantly lag behind those of the US and Europe. The US dollar hegemony system has not been shaken, and China's voice in global payment clearing and commodity pricing still needs to be enhanced. Building institutional influence and regional leadership is a long-term project, requiring continuous investment in the refinement of operations in rule-making, standard output, and public product provision.
The comparison with the Soviet Union during the Cold War is particularly enlightening. China has chosen a different path: not engaging in military competition, not forming a closed bloc, not drawing lines based on ideology, but promoting security through development and pursuing win-win cooperation. This differentiated competitive strategy avoids the exhaustion seen in the Soviet model and requires China to explore new paradigms in innovation efficiency, institutional flexibility, and cultural appeal.
The "non-bipolar" judgment is equally critical. The awakening of Europe's strategic autonomy, the pursuit of independent roles by India and Japan, and the rise of the Global South—these trends of dispersed and reorganized forces present both challenges and opportunities. China does not need to pursue a bipolar confrontation but should strive to become a key pole in a multipolar world.
In the Year of the Horse, this reminder comes at the right time. Accelerating technological self-reliance and strength, strengthening the resilience of industrial chains, deepening institutional openness, and expanding international voice are all essential. Acknowledging the gaps is not self-deprecation, but rather accumulating momentum for greater advancement.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1857266837904396/
Statement: The article represents the views of the author himself.