Its becoming clear that China is on track to match or overtake the USA as a global superpower. Since like half of our economy is based on Chinese imports - is there even anything the bourgeoisie / military / intelligence agencies can do about it? Do you think we're going to move more towards conflict or is China going to pimp slap us and tell us to know our role or they won't make any iphones for us or whatever.

Real conflict seems very unlikely but there are psychos like John Bolton who will refuse to accept that USA isn't numba 1 anymore.

  • KiaKaha [he/him]
    ·
    4 years ago

    There are a couple of things.

    First up is dollar hegemony. Having the dollar as the reserve currency is an exorbitant privilege. As China’s digital currency takes off, we may see a shift there. That severely curtails the US’ monetary policy space, which makes rampant money creation less feasible. It also limits the USA’s ability to sanction countries that defy the USA. This both means those countries will become more prosperous, and that other nations will find it easier to separate from the US system.

    Next up is the shift of aligned nations. Now, I’m not seeing the US letting countries fall into China’s sphere without a fight. We’ve seen China’s able to give some support to existing left movements (but tbh, in some cases even present Russia does more), but we haven’t seen capacity to help others resist colour revolutions. It’s unfortunate, but we may see countries flirting with China or a China model flipped, as what happened with Bolivia recently.

    Then there’s the question of Taiwan and the South China Sea. Depending on who you ask, it’s either going to be a flashpoint, or it’s well under control. Either way, there’s potential for it to go wrong, and there are some on both sides eager to see that happen.

    • star_wraith [he/him]
      ·
      4 years ago

      but we may see countries flirting with China or a China model flipped, as what happened with Bolivia recently.

      Ukraine was flirting with the idea of closer ties with Russia and turning away from the EU and Obama's state dept quickly worked to torpedo that. I definitely think this will happen more.

    • bewts [he/him,comrade/them]
      ·
      4 years ago

      Next up is the shift of aligned nations

      Yeah I was thinking this too. I bet we'll start seeing China pick up more allies and smaller nations (especially geographically closer ones ) are gonna have to make some weird choices.

          • EthicalHumanMeat [he/him]
            1·
            4 years ago

            So they had originally fucked them over as soon as the USA said jump, no?

            No.

            It's important to keep in mind that China is still vulnerable to economic sanctions and other forms of US aggression, as well. Most countries, even those under US aggression, do not have full latitude to defy US sanctions, which is why they work. Venezuela's still in a rough state and is even more heavily sanctioned than they were last year, and China's willingness to defy these sanctions now that they're in a position to do so, which only a handful of other countries have been willing to do, provides an essential lifeline.

            Another example would be China's support for Venezuela in dealing with COVID when the sanctions have prevented them from getting medical supplies through other means.

            http://spanish.xinhuanet.com/2020-05/13/c_139052631.htm

            In the Venezuelan case, the Minister for Foreign Relations pointed out that from the first day, the Asian country "made itself available, an airlift was established and this is the fifth flight."

            He detailed that in its entirety, China has sent more than one million rapid tests, 150 thousand molecular test kits, more than eight million masks, almost two million disposable gloves, more than 135 thousand protective suits, more than 23 thousand infrared thermometers and 14 thousand protective glasses.

            The Minister for Health, Carlos Alvarado, stressed that the more than 46 tons of medical supplies will be distributed in all health centers in the country.

            "They are going to strengthen our diagnostic capacity and our power to protect ourselves against this terrible pandemic," he said.

            He specified that supplies arrived for the performance of 80 thousand diagnostic tests and their reagents. "The only way to fight and defeat the coronavirus is with the union of all the countries of the world. We are very happy with this shipment that we are receiving," he said.

            http://vicepresidencia.gob.ve/embajador-li-barong-venezuela-y-china-son-un-ejemplo-a-seguir-ante-la-comunidad-internacional/

            This Saturday the sixth plane from the People's Republic of China arrived in Venezuelan territory, loaded with medical supplies, intended for the prevention and control of Covid-19, this as part of the air bridge established between both nations.

            This is in addition to diplomatic support, arms sales, and loans - which they absolutely need and which do not come on terms of structural adjustment - that they've been giving Venezuela since Chavez came to office.

            Similar situation with Cuba.

            A total of 286 Chinese donors raised more than 140,000 yuan (US$19,823), purchased 420 pieces of medical protective outfits and 38,750 masks and sent the medical supplies to Cuba successfully with the help of the Cuban embassy in China, Chen Ke, who initiated the donation campaign, told the Global Times. ... Cuba Si, a Cuban national media outlet, reported the Chinese people’s donation campaign, which moved many Cubans. Cuban teachers and friends of the Chinese donors contacted them after reading the news and appreciated their love and assistance, the report said.

            Wikipedia had this funny line:

            In the late 1990s, China provided the Cuban government with equipment to block signals from Radio Martí.

            Similar situation in Bolivia with regards to development aid and loans.

            Morales praised China's relations with Latin America, and said that “China's support and aid to Bolivia's economic and social development never attach any political conditions.”

            China also has a good relationship with the government of Nepal, and the one Nepali communist I've talked to said that China's seen as an important buttress against Indian aggression over there, but I don't really know the details.

            And then there's the fact that the DPRK basically wouldn't exist anymore if not for China's support.

            Anyway, this is just a few of the things I remembered off the top of my head. They could probably do more, and I wish they did, but there's no question that every other socialist nation would be in a far, far worse position without China's support.