Is China Really A “Great Power”?

As China’s economy continues to rise and its military spending increases, many political theorists presume that China will soon surpass the United States as the primary economic and political “great power.” High GDP and military strength contribute to the formation of great powers, and they have undoubtedly contributed to China’s current position in the international political sphere. However, although China is most certainly a strong power with a great deal of global influence, there are many reforms that must occur before it can achieve the status of a truly “great,” hegemonic power. Forms of hard power, such as economic and military power, are far from the only types of power that matter when predicting the trajectory of a state such as China.

One cannot deny that China’s strong economy has helped it rise above many other world powers.  For example, a high GDP allows China to maintain a leading position in the international energy production industry through the maximization of both internal and external natural resources. In recent years, China has become the world’s top producer of coal, and has become a key player in world oil markets by acquiring billions of dollars worth of overseas oil and gas assets. China’s wealth also allows for the creation of a large and well-equipped military, which gives China more flexibility when taking political action as weaker states often submit to China’s demands in order to avoid a potentially destructive conflict.

However, a broad scope of influence is simply not enough to make a state into a great power. Forms of soft power are extremely significant in establishing a state’s presence – and subsequently, its influence - on a global scale. In order to become a truly great power, a state must express an interest in areas other than economic growth, such as social reforms, environmental protection, and a desire for international collaboration. For example, a state that focuses on promoting human rights and resolving domestic concerns will receive more attention, support, and cooperation from other international political actors. This in turn will effectively increase its global influence in a beneficial manner and further cement its status as a great power.

The Chinese government has not followed such a path, as shown by its often-oppressive political decisions. By focusing almost entirely on GDP growth, the Chinese government has created a system that ignores the needs of its people for the sake of its economy. While the Chinese leaders may view the rapid economic growth as a sign of success, the vulnerability of the Chinese people tells a very different story. Many Chinese citizens live in areas where the air is so polluted from the coal factories that they cannot see a few feet ahead of them, and the serious illnesses that result from such severe pollution have become the norm. Many citizens, such as those in Hong Kong, feel so oppressed and controlled by their leaders that protesting seems to be the only route to political and social reforms.

However, this path is often met with violence at the hands of government officials who seek to stop the cries for change. Silencing the voices of its people and censoring their words is not the way in which China will reach “Great Power” status. Continuing on a path that violates the civil liberties and basic rights of the Chinese people will only undermine the influence that China has on the global community, despite any rapid economic growth it may experience. A strong military and an overflowing bank vault will only go so far if the decisions of China’s leaders incur rejection and mistrust from the international community of political actors.

Sources:

http://www.eia.gov/countries/cab.cfm?fips=ch

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-china-29054196