5 Reasons to Stop Fearing China

Reader Comments

Back to blog

Historically:

1. Chinese build walls rather than invade.

2. It mostly "invades" countries they feel belong to them historically (Tibet, Taiwan) or if they are conquered by Mongols and made to invade other countries.

3. Burned all of their Navy just so they can close the country from the outside world.

I don't think we have anything to fear militarily from China unless you are Taiwan.

We should fear China because of:

1. Business - they live for this.

2. Population - no need to invade, they are already here. Look at all those China towns.

Cheers,

Chris 12:46PM February 15, 2011

The author did not consider at least couple for which one should fear China - primarily for lack of democracy which translates into transparency. Not ALL democracies are flawless - however, there is a better chance of transparency with democracy and therefore a better adherence to Rule of Law.

One, China can create needling problems in many parts of world by simply objecting what other countries want to do. Example - violation of human rights in countries such as North Korea, Burma and Iran. The attempts to do something positive in such countries by UN and western allies are thwarted by the actions of China.

Another one, lack of Governance aka Rule of Law in China (check Transparency International). Due to bad governance - that permeates in every level of Chinese society, including business - there are serious causes for concern. If Chinese economy takes a major hit due to financial meltdown similar to what happened in 2009, all other countries will be affected.

There are other reasons for concern as well.

S. Roy 9:00AM February 15, 2011

China was considered a third country in my time. Can't believe that every article I see says "China shapes the World." "We Americans should learn their culture and language." What will happen to our own culture I wonder and the many inventions of Americans and the pioneers of our country? Our country is a few hundred years old compared to centuries or dynasties of culture from other continents. Sometimes one would buy bric-a-brac and it would always say made in China or be plastic. Now everyone talks about how good their stuff is. This is not just a passing phase. I think the scales are tipped as far as the import/export ratio. It seems like officials of our country were begging Chinese officials to open up trade for our products. What's going to happen to the value of the U.S. dollar? Will we have to answer to another country's dominance? Textiles, manufacturing now vinyards what else?

na of OK 5:25PM February 14, 2011

They continue sharing their technology, outsourcing to them their manufacturing jobs, borrowing money to buy Chinese products, cutting back on their military defenses, and neglecting the defenses of India, Japan, Taiwan, Korea and other Asian allies.

Jeugenen of MA 4:02PM February 14, 2011

Stop blamming , start have some actions .

for US citizen

- Boy cott china's products ,that will keep our money with us not to china . Do not buy any junks from China , Viet Nam . (Communist countries take advantage from our country )

- no more abusive union

For US governement .

make not request China , Viet Nam play a fair game of WTO regualation in trading issue , money isasue, human right issue , because they are member of this organization , otherwise We will :

-take China , Viet Nam out of PNCR ( most favorable in tax in USA ) , WTO ( world trade organization ), , CPC ( most concern country)

- high Tax for any company who manufact products in China , Viet Nam, then sale back to US .

- extremely high tax ( no more PNCR) for all products of China, Viet Nam to USA

-Do not let China and Viet Nam sweet talk to your ear. make them act, not promises on trading issue , money issue , and humain right issue . If they don't do our quests, we will not let their products come to our country , let them rotten in China, in VN .

- stop surrend our right to Viet Nam , China . the trade deficit is to high in their favor . We are their clients , they need to please us not vice versa .our products have to be reachable easily in china market as theirs in our country .

- stop sale and expose our high tech products and defense products to those countries and stop buying junks from China to USA .

-CREATING JOB IS NOT ENOUGH , BRING MILLION JOBS BACK TO THE USA .

- no more carots for china and most of all Viet Nam . We need to use out trick with them b/c for that much of money for that long time they have not change , do not give them any more excuse . kick them out of all of trading organization , don't let them get any more money from us

- I can not wait for Obama to address the nation for our terrible unbalance trade deficit to China and VN so he will ask the nation bear with not having china products ( china junk) around us . then ask America start to supportour domestic companies

anthony of TX 11:52PM February 13, 2011

We cant even trace Maddoff weath, how can we trace the Mubaraks wealth.

james of MT 1:33PM February 13, 2011

the article is very good and poits out a lot of facts. None more true than "if any nation over takes us, it's our fault" Americans have gotton lazy and complacent! we have the rich who waist natrual resorces and consume without producing anything. Then we have the other side of the scale and that is those who have their hands out for anything the govorment and charitys will give them.

Our educational system sucks! our politicians are dishonet and the American voter votes for what they stand to gain, rather than whats in the best interest of the country as a whole. example, I could see a good christan senoir citizen voting for a polititian who was pro-abortion, pro legalization of drugs and was against any mention of God anywhere in the country, but as long as he was going to icrease their SS and medicare bennifits they would vote for him in a heart beat...the country is messed up, because we are messed up..we will fall for the same reason Rome fell...Us!!!!

Steve of SC 1:07PM February 13, 2011

"5 Reasons to Stop Fearing China" is synonymous with "one reason to stop reading or listening to the establishment media."

geoh777 of NY 12:16PM February 13, 2011

While leberals try to create the ebenvolent picture of China sa a power growing to provide for its people, remember that this country killed millions of its citizens and has engaged in undeclared warfare with the ex-Soviet Union, Tibet, and India over the last 30 years. It has sold technology of all types, to include missle guidance, nuclear and computer to countries such as North Korea and Pakistan.

While it portrays itself as a global growth interest, it is also a global de-stabilizer. China attacks the US daily on the cyber-front. It spies and pays well for techological theft in all arenas, as well as copying items already developed from western countries. It is simplistic and fatal to believe that China is anything other than a nation bent on world rule, either through actual conquest or manipulation.

China does not see dominance in terms of 20 or so years, it is content to work in terms of decades or even centuries. While we cannot end its world dominance dream, we can work to limit its growth through political and economic means.

Zap of TX 11:33AM February 13, 2011

Nice comment, pal! I guess the "Dear American Friends" was a sarcastic introduction. While the current world status might show the United States of America somewhat lacking in the esteem she held for over 200 years, let's look at some realities.

First, this country is still the top place in the world where people want to immigrate as they run away from their perceived second rate home grounds.

Second, when you look at WWI and WWII, I believe you should get down on your knees, face Washington and give prayers of thanks to the American Servicemen and Servicewomen who risked all, where "Some Gave All" to keep this world, which is now your world, a place where you and the rest of the world grew up without the Kaiser or Hitler and Tojo running the worldwide Fascist totalitarian show!

Third, as the article states, the top economy in the world resides "in the land of the free and the home of the brave."

Fourth, the harnessing of the atom was truly a marvelous achievement and has led to many breakthroughs beyond the days of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. At least a million American lives were saved by the events on and leading up to those days. Ask yourself, "How many other lives were saved throughout the world as well?" Damn plenty is the answer! As far as your weak attempt as proof concerning treaties and other paper bunk which "prevents" use of nuclear weapon is concerned, paper burns fast. It is the American conscience which keeps these weapons at the ready but not really ready to use unless the situation becomes "Dep Con 10." Also, why don't you list, for your own edification of knowledge the other possessors of thermonuclear weaponized devices? Then look at who is in charge of them and determine who you would want in charge of them?

Fifth, as far as the Soviet Union being an enemy, look at the aftermath of WWII years until the Soviet Union was dismantled. Pay attention to the Eastern Bloc countries versus the Western Bloc countries, especially the two German states. Which one would you had chosen, if you had the choice? No look at how life has changed in the Eastern Bloc countries after the FALL! The Taliban (Mujahideen) might have been a freedom fighting organization during the Soviet occupation and that may have been good for the male Afghans but certainly, the female Afghans have a long way to go to reach their freedom. Al-Qaida is a terrorist organization and should be treated that way.

Sixth, as for innocent people being killed, even you know war has unintended collateral damage. Have the terrorists cease and desist and the war will end. Then the people who live in the country can take steps to rule themselves.

Lastly, like you I live in this great United States of America. I was born here from parents whose parents left a failing Europe to find new lives in the USA. Though we're perceived as down now when it comes to some measured qualities, we still are the top place to live in the world to live. Look at our S border!

P. Monaghan, DDS; PhD of WI 8:47AM February 13, 2011

Add Your Thoughts
Your comment will be posted immediately, unless it is spam or contains profanity. For more information, please see our Comments FAQ.

Back to blog

Rick Newman

Rick Newman

The global economy is mysterious, even scary. Chief Business Correspondent Rick Newman connects the dots. In addition to his writing for U.S. News, Rick is the co-author of two books: Firefight: Inside the Battle to Save the Pentagon on 9/11, and Bury Us Upside Down: The Misty Pilots and the Secret Battle for the Ho Chi Minh Trail.


Read Rick's latest blog entries here.

advertisement

advertisement