As China shifts its focus towards militarisation, the prospect of conflict looms large
The recent rhetoric and actions coming out of Beijing have raised significant concerns globally about China’s intentions, particularly regarding Taiwan. The question on everyone’s minds is whether China is gearing up for war and if it will attempt to forcefully annex Taiwan.
Li Qiang asserts
In a stark departure from previous stances, China has abandoned its commitment to a “peaceful reunification” with Taiwan, opting instead for a more assertive approach. Premier Li Qiang’s address to China’s parliament emphasized the need for “reunification” with Taiwan, coupled with the determination to achieve this goal firmly. This change in language signals a major shift in China’s stance towards Taiwan.
“We must persist in implementing the Party’s overall strategy for resolving the Taiwan issue in the new era, adhere to the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, resolutely oppose Taiwan separatism and foreign interference,” said Li.
Accompanying this aggressive rhetoric is a substantial increase in China’s military budget. Beijing has announced a more than seven percent boost in defence spending for the year, amounting to a staggering $231 billion. However, experts caution that the actual figure could be even higher, as China tends to underreport its military expenditures.
“China continues to increase its defence spending at a high level and is rapidly expanding its military capabilities across a wide range of areas without sufficient transparency,” said Japanese Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi.
Exploding defence budget
The bolstering of military capabilities extends beyond budget increases. China’s growing military presence in various domains, including space, has raised alarm bells in the United States and Japan. Both nations have expressed concerns about China’s lack of transparency regarding its military ambitions and capabilities.
President Xi Jinping’s leadership has been marked by a fervent pursuit of expanding China’s military might and asserting its dominance in the region. The increased funding for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) reflects Xi’s ambitions for a more assertive China on the global stage.
In response to China’s escalatory actions, Taiwan has ramped up its defence measures, including conducting more missile drills. However, Taiwan is not the only nation feeling the heat of China’s aggression. The Philippines recently experienced clashes between Chinese and Philippine coast guards, highlighting China’s assertiveness in its territorial disputes.
China’s economic woes
Amidst these military maneuvers, China’s domestic economic challenges remain significant. Despite Premier Li’s promises of economic growth, China faces mounting problems, including a property sector crisis and declining stock markets. However, instead of focusing on economic recovery, Beijing appears more inclined to prioritise military buildup.
“The main expected development goals for this year are: A GDP growth of around 5 per cent, more than 12 million new urban jobs, a registered urban unemployment rate of around 5.5 per cent, a rise of around 3 per cent in CPI (consumer price index), synchronous growth of household income and economic growth, and basic balance of international payments,” said Li.
As China shifts its focus towards militarisation, the prospect of conflict looms large. While Xi Jinping may seek to bolster his image through military victories, any attempt to forcefully assert control over Taiwan or engage in further territorial expansion risks significant repercussions. In the end, such actions may result in a costly and unsustainable victory for China, leaving its economy and global standing in jeopardy.
Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views.
