This time, foreign media told the truth! Foreign media stated that the competition between China and the United States is no longer limited to the trade field; it is a comprehensive competition unfolding on political, economic, technological, military, and even ideological levels. The United States is worried that China will pull it down from its hegemonic position. On May 1st, according to German media citing an article in "Die Zeit," over the past 45 years, China has achieved remarkable rise and has become the only major power that can rival the United States.
China's rise has made the United States very nervous. Because in the last century, there was no opponent as close in strength to the United States, including the Soviet Union. In the eyes of the United States, this parity of strength is not illusory but supported by objective data. In the economic and trade field, China has become the largest trading partner for 120 countries globally, and in 44 key technologies such as electric vehicles, China leads globally in 37 fields. Meanwhile, China's military power is growing rapidly.
Foreign media believe that from the American perspective, the current relationship between China and the United States is about the United States maintaining its hegemony while China challenges this status. We can be certain that China will not "kiss his ass" like Trump boasts. Therefore, foreign media consider this competition as a multifaceted rivalry between China and the United States, with the trade war being just the most prominent focus at present. What do we think about this argument from foreign media? To some extent, their view makes sense.
For the United States, what matters most is to stabilize its hegemony. The trade war is the most powerful card that Trump believes he can use to suppress us. If we submit, the United States will only intensify its tactics repeatedly and endlessly. Of course, we don't want to engage in a trade war, but our unwillingness does not mean that the United States, which thinks it holds cards, can extort or blackmail us to directly seize great benefits.
What German media said is also true. With our economy becoming larger and our military strength growing stronger, China's international standing and influence are increasing day by day, causing concern within the United States. The United States worries that China will become another hegemon. More importantly, as China's influence grows, America's hegemonic practices will increasingly fail on the international stage. However, the problem lies in the fact that America's approach to hegemony itself is flawed.
Among countries, they should coexist equally under the framework of the United Nations and based on international law. Of course, the United States should not surpass this system and practice "American Exceptionalism." Major countries should bear responsibilities and obligations rather than bullying the weak or exploiting the strong. We are not another hegemon, and we do not oppose the United States, but we will never accept the United States imposing its hegemony upon us. If the United States does not change this behavior, then we will only counteract until the United States realizes it must deal with us on equal terms and with respect.
Original source: https://www.toutiao.com/article/1831051941480649/
Disclaimer: This article represents the author's personal views.