It’s a sad truth that many Westerners willfully look away from; we are currently in the Chinese Century. While the United States is imploding, the Land of the Dragon is flourishing. Their military, economic, and influential strength, all pose a serious threat to the Western world.

A question to ponder: how much do you really know about China?

China’s biggest strength aside from sheer numbers is its meticulous insulation from the rest of the world. Much of the information about the country is suspect, as the budding superpower does its best to control all things China. A fitting anecdote; the toughest kid on the block is seldom the loud bully screaming for attention. Ironically, the unassuming Emo kid who moonlights at a martial arts dojo is the one you don’t see coming who somehow inflicts the most damage.

CHINA’S HISTORY

China has been around for thousands of years. In fact, it is largely recognized as one of the world’s oldest civilizations, tracing back to the Paleolithic era [AKA The Old Stone Age, a period in human history distinguished by the original development of stone tools].

The Republic of China was established in 1912 after the Chinese monarchy was overthrown. Today, The People’s Republic of China is a one-party Marxist-Leninist state governed solely by the Chinese Communist Party [CPP]. Despite attempts to portray itself as a democracy, China is largely defined as an authoritarian one-party dictatorship.

Anyone who has spent time there reports omnipresent censorship. Should one speak against the government, their assets are frozen until such anti-government statements are recanted. Make another disparaging remark about the regime, and you’re whisked away to an internment camp, AKA re-education camp, to make amends.

Sound Orwellian? That’s because it is.

Many truthers have long stated that China is the blueprint for Draconian world leaders who covet absolute power. When the masses blindly comply without pushback, autocratic dictators salivate. 

Take the early days of Covid-19. Lockdown orders became the norm when an unprecedented pandemic brought life to a screeching halt in the US, Canada, the United Kingdom et al.  Laughably, that’s everyday life in the People’s Republic. The government says ‘jump’, and citizens say ‘How far?’ instead of asking why.

If you lived through the 1980s, you probably remember seeing countless products with “Made in China” labels stitched on them. To childhood eyes, this seemed innocent enough. However, even at the age of eight, I remember thinking how weird it was for one country to control the vast manufacturing of goods. Toys, clothing, school supplies, name it, China pushed it out like smack. Consequently, this phase of China’s development is a major reason why it’s so powerful today.

REALITY BITES

Those who manufacture goods at any level are self-reliant. When you’re a country with over 1 billion inhabitants, the scale of power and influence is even more significant. Furthermore, those in need of Chinese goods are forced to look the other way when any number of questionable practices are in play [China’s history of labor abuses is well documented].

China’s incredibly competitive economy further exacerbates things. Goods and services offered at considerably low prices make it difficult for companies to say no. These companies take any opportunity they can to get a leg up over their competitors, even if their practices are illegal.

When money’s on the table, everything is in play.

PLAYING FOR KEEPS

Like it or not, China is playing for keeps. According to Forbes, China has the second largest economy in the world at 19,374 trillion [Aug 2023].

Atop the list?  The USA, at 27 trillion. But things aren’t as encouraging as you might believe. 

In 2000, Forbes listed the US atop the leaderboard at a shade north of 10 trillion. China? They were sixth behind Japan, Germany, The UK, and France with a modest 1 trillion. Within twenty years, they’ve catapulted themselves into one of the world’s most significant heavy hitters. The sobering reality is that the Chinese are coming, and fast. 

MILITARY STRENGTH: MONEY + MANPOWER

Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, America has been the top dog when it comes to global supremacy. As with any empire throughout the cradles of civilization, enemies lie in wait with dreams of supplanting their place atop the mountain. China is no different.

Yes, US military strength is unrivaled. America possesses the smartest weapons, spends the most annually on weapons, and has countless military bases strategically positioned throughout the world. In short, America is the king of the hill and the rest of the world knows it.

However, during the 21st Century, China has made it clear that it has its own plans. One look at their military and it’s clear the Eastern power is not to be trifled with.

In 2022, China spent 240 billion USD on its military. In contrast, the US spent a staggering 760 billion. This statistic suggests the Chinese still have ground to cover but keep in mind this is China we are talking about.  The figures they provide as gospel are suspect at best. China isn’t exactly a beacon of transparency. If they state their military budget is 240 billion, multiply by two and you’ve probably got a more accurate figure.

NUMBERS GAME

China’s population as of 2023 is a whopping 1.4 billion. What does this mean when it comes to military strength? In one word; manpower [and a surplus of it]. China’s population makes up 18% of the entire world. This is even after their mandatory one-child policy that spanned the years 1980-2016.

When it comes to military personnel, no country rivals the Chinese. 3.1 million citizens are currently enlisted in the Chinese military. Furthermore, the country’s had compulsory military service since 1951. When it comes to Chinese might, we’re not simply talking about their infantry division.

President Xi Jinping looks to be paving the road for a Chinese military-industrial complex that rivals America’s. Many of his strategic moves center around safeguarding China’s core interests – territorial claims which Beijing looks ready to go to war over.  

Aside from sheer manpower, what is most impressive about China is its lack of military alliances. The country is isolationist with a largely homogenous population that stands on its own. This autonomy and self-reliance make them a force to be reckoned with.

MILITARY CAPABILITIES

Below is a list of China’s military capabilities. Again, keep in mind these numbers are likely a smokescreen to shield the budding superpower’s true military might from the rest of the world.

• 5,000 tanks
• 175,000 armored vehicles
• 4.000 artillery launchers
• 3,000 rocket projectors

All of this translates to China being a formidable force when it comes to ground strength. China also possesses sophisticated, intercontinental ballistic missiles. One of their missiles, if fired from Beijing, has the capability to reach Washington, D.C. in half an hour.  China also possesses a plentitude of nuclear warheads. 

In 2023, the Chinese unveiled the game-changing SC-19, an anti-satellite missile that captured the attention of The Pentagon. It’s said to have the capability to take out rival satellites in the event of a Space War. Name it, the Chinese got it covered. 

CHINA V USA

We’ve entered a point in history where two superpowers vying for global supremacy are destined for a showdown. As with most conflicts, there is always a period of calm before the storm – largely defined as proxy wars. What we’ve been witnessing between the US and China since the fall of the Soviet Union has been just that; a proxy war hinting at a pending, full-on conflict.

One look at the current state of the world and it’s obvious something major is brewing. People are suffering, economies are teetering, and the world’s population is not sustainable. As humanity wades through the 21st century, at least two colossal wars seem to be on the horizon. The first will involve ideological enemies Iran and Israel, with ramifications felt globally. The second will be far more catastrophic when America and China square off in a battle for the ages. 

Who stands to win? Ask me today, and I give the edge to the Americans thanks mostly to their military prowess. However, in a decade or two, the pendulum most likely sways in the Communist’s favor. For years we worried about a possible battle with Russia; turns out we were worrying about the wrong Eastern power.

Note: travel to any American city and witness what’s become of this once glorious nation. Addicts hooked on fentanyl can be found on every street corner. Ironically, this lethal drug’s origins: you guessed it, China.